Painting Head Ligths and Spot lights.

[greasyspoon]

I am not sure how to paint head lights/spotlights. I recently picked up the Macross Destroid Defender.
http://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/index.c ... 04-mkx.cfm
It has two spotlights on the chest and two on the knees. They are clear plastic, but I am not quite sure how to paint them. I was thinking about painting the “Socket” they fit into silver and clear coating the glass part with future. I thought about tinting the glass with future and transparent paint but I don’t think that will look good.

Here is the look I am going for
http://biginjap.com/2529-thickbox_defau ... fender.jpg
http://starshipmodeler.biz/shop/images/ ... 1_1165.jpg


What do you think?

[Johnnycrash]

I was thinking about painting the “Socket” they fit into silver and clear coating the glass part with future.

This is what I have done in the past for car headlights. A higher reflecting surface for the bucket works better. Try chrome tape or the bright side of tinfoil. Don't forget to add a small speck of black in the middle for the bulb.

[greasyspoon]

put a black dot on the silver or on the "glass" part?

Thanks

[Johnnycrash]

put a black dot on the silver or on the "glass" part?

On the silver - "bottom" of the bucket.

And use a white glue for the lens. Doesn't fog or damage the plastic, and dries clear.

[Kylwell]

When looking for a high shine headlight reflector I typically use aluminum foil. If there's no reflector housing I'll fill the hole with Aves, set the foil over it and press in with the pad of my thumb then let set. Makes a nice shallow bowl shape.

[Rocketeer]

Bare-Metal foil is the bee's knees for this sort of thing. Thin, shiny, self-adhesive.

[Andrew Gorman]

I like the way clear mirror cabochons from the bead or craft store look- very shiny and reflective, especially behind a lens. Here are some on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RHINESTONE-GEMS ... 337420eecb
But should also be available near you. Foil can get wrinkly, and my old favorite Rub-N-Buff is not nearly as shiny.

[greasyspoon]

thanks for the advice. I will run by hobby lobby when I get to that point and pick up some bare metal foil. I will coat the clear part in future and pva glue it down.

Thanks