Simulate glass

[John]

I picked up some of these on Shapeways to build out my military train ..  whats the braintrust consensus for making the windshields look like like they actually have glass in them?  I'm thinking painting a dark gray in the area whee the window is  then putting some mod-podge gloss over the top

[Chris333]

Just paint them solid black or very dark blue.

[robert3985]

These would be easy!  Since they're flat and rectangular, if I was REALLY concerned about making them look like the windows were glass, I'l file 'em out with a small precision jeweler's file, and cut microscope cover glass to put in 'em or behind 'em.  I'd probably thin the wall behind the windows so it wouldn't look like the car sides are three feet thick.

I suppose you could also use thin clear Styrene too, and scratch it up a bit just like the prototype.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[OldEastRR]

I read in MR once that using Blue Mettalic Flake on window surfaces looks like tinted glass in the shade. Maybe some darker metallic color would do for you.

[cfritschle]

John,

Did you know that Micro-Trains' next military vehicle will be a Humvee?

[John]

John,

Did you know that Micro-Trains' next military vehicle will be a Humvee?

That's good to know .. since the one I got off Shapeways are crap

[DKS]

FWIW, I've found that painting solid vehicle windows gloss black, dark gray or dark blue is the most effective.

[John]

Thanks all .. these are going to be flat car loads -- so the 3 foot rule is probably good enough ..

[Mark W]

...the one I got off Shapeways are crap

Bummer.  There are a few decent looking Humvee's on Thingiverse.  Perhaps one of the Photonsters with the clear resin could give one a try. 

Otherwise, yes, gloss black.  I like to add a touch of silver to the mix too. 

[MarcVanCleven]

Use a Number 2 Lead Pencil. Try to fill in the window evenly. Then gloss coat the widow.

Whenever I look at real vehicles, particularly trucks, vans and military vehicles the first thing I see the dark metallic sheen, and second the darkened compartment. After a lot of trial and error with paint and such, I found that a sharpened No 2 pencil lead works well, but adding a bit of gloss coat via a micro-brush works over the lead protects and evens the look.

Marc
Capital City "N"Gineers

[Roger Holmes]

What Marc says about the No. 2 pencil.

[Cajonpassfan]

Use a Number 2 Lead Pencil. Try to fill in the window evenly. Then gloss coat the widow.

Whenever I look at real vehicles, particularly trucks, vans and military vehicles the first thing I see the dark metallic sheen, and second the darkened compartment. After a lot of trial and error with paint and such, I found that a sharpened No 2 pencil lead works well, but adding a bit of gloss coat via a micro-brush works over the lead protects and evens the look.

Marc
Capital City "N"Gineers

Interesting idea, and simple. Do you have any pics?
Otto K.

[thomasjmdavis]

Use a Number 2 Lead Pencil. Try to fill in the window evenly. Then gloss coat the widow.

Whenever I look at real vehicles, particularly trucks, vans and military vehicles the first thing I see the dark metallic sheen, and second the darkened compartment. After a lot of trial and error with paint and such, I found that a sharpened No 2 pencil lead works well, but adding a bit of gloss coat via a micro-brush works over the lead protects and evens the look.

Marc
Capital City "N"Gineers

I tried this last night.  Brilliant.  I am a bit embarrassed that in 50+ years of modeling, I did not think of it myself. It won't replace clear windows, but best method so far to simulate glass on a solid surface.  Meets my 3' test, even with my bifocals on.

[SandyEggoJake]

+1 for Marc's No 2. 

But for completeness sake, wanted to add if one cuts out and tries to install something glass like, I've been using Micro Mark's Micro Kristal Klear and "Gallery Glass" (16001) available at Micheal's.  Both work well (and in my hands, seem very similar but the later is cheaper) for adding small windshields to micron art PE brass cars.  Smallest length of no more than 3/16".  But of course the No2 pencil is not an option there. 

Got the Gallery Glass in part to find a way to use it to make scale stained glass.  Trying to get some color separation without physical leading lines.   Not happy with the stained glass results yet. 

 

[randgust]

The most effective thing I've come up with so far is a mix of 50% Testors Enamel gloss black and 50% chrome silver.  Brush applied, then a thin coat of Crystal-Kleer over top.   It looks best on lighter-colored vehicles.    I like the graphite pencil idea though, because that's pretty darn close to what this does.