Best paints for indicators and brake lights?
Discussion
Hi everyone, first post on this forum (I usually lurk over on the TVR forums).
I have been making a 1:43 white metal model of a TVR S and am happy with the results so far (first model for about twenty five years!!!)but have reached the point in construction/painting where I need some help. I've tried the search facility and come up with nothing so thought I'd test the wisdom of you all on here.
As the title says really, what are the best paints to use for realistic looking indicators and brake lights? The front lenses are tiny photo etched items, side repeaters are straight on to the body (already painted body colour and clear coated) and the rear light banks are I think chrome plated plastic.
Your help and advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers, Stu
Photo of a completed couple of models from another forum if that helps.
And the real thing.
I have been making a 1:43 white metal model of a TVR S and am happy with the results so far (first model for about twenty five years!!!)but have reached the point in construction/painting where I need some help. I've tried the search facility and come up with nothing so thought I'd test the wisdom of you all on here.
As the title says really, what are the best paints to use for realistic looking indicators and brake lights? The front lenses are tiny photo etched items, side repeaters are straight on to the body (already painted body colour and clear coated) and the rear light banks are I think chrome plated plastic.
Your help and advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers, Stu
Photo of a completed couple of models from another forum if that helps.
And the real thing.
1 - light needs to be silver. If white metal just polish it, if not use silver paint/foil/Alclad or whatever.
2 - Coat of clear lacquer. Neat for headlights, reversing lights or clear indicators. For other lights mix 50/50 with a colour; orange for indicators, bright red for reflectors, darker red for rear lights and foglights.
3 - Another coat of neat clear and a polish if required.
You can buy translucent colours but I prefer the above method then you can mix exactly the colour you need - yellow for foglights for example. Also useful for roof lights or number identification lights which can be yellow, blue, green, etc.
2 - Coat of clear lacquer. Neat for headlights, reversing lights or clear indicators. For other lights mix 50/50 with a colour; orange for indicators, bright red for reflectors, darker red for rear lights and foglights.
3 - Another coat of neat clear and a polish if required.
You can buy translucent colours but I prefer the above method then you can mix exactly the colour you need - yellow for foglights for example. Also useful for roof lights or number identification lights which can be yellow, blue, green, etc.
I used Tamiya's clear red for the first time on my most recent model. More coats = darker shade, and it works really nicely. I haven't got any pics yet (need to get clear orange so I can finish the indicators), but I really like the effect.
I don't know how well that'll work for a piece that isn't clear though. I've since used it to create a nice candy red on brake callipers by painting over silver, and it doesn't look much like the right sort of effect for a light.
I don't know how well that'll work for a piece that isn't clear though. I've since used it to create a nice candy red on brake callipers by painting over silver, and it doesn't look much like the right sort of effect for a light.
Meoricin said:
I used Tamiya's clear red for the first time on my most recent model. More coats = darker shade, and it works really nicely. I haven't got any pics yet (need to get clear orange so I can finish the indicators), but I really like the effect.
I don't know how well that'll work for a piece that isn't clear though. I've since used it to create a nice candy red on brake callipers by painting over silver, and it doesn't look much like the right sort of effect for a light.
Humbrol also do clears in Red, Amber, Green and Blue. Work a treat. Experiment with white or silver undercoat.I don't know how well that'll work for a piece that isn't clear though. I've since used it to create a nice candy red on brake callipers by painting over silver, and it doesn't look much like the right sort of effect for a light.
Hi all
I am rather late in answering a previous question but I want to add my knowledge on how to paint model car tail lights. My solution is NAIL VARNISH. Get the lady in your life to give you a suitable red gloss nail varnish. This works brilliantly especially if you put a clear high gloss nail varnish over the top.
Ian Duque
I am rather late in answering a previous question but I want to add my knowledge on how to paint model car tail lights. My solution is NAIL VARNISH. Get the lady in your life to give you a suitable red gloss nail varnish. This works brilliantly especially if you put a clear high gloss nail varnish over the top.
Ian Duque
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