Lighting Windows without lighting them?

joey_d1119 · Post by **joey_d1119** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:49 pm

Hello,
Im building the "All Good Things" Enterprise D. There are two resin pieces that have windows, but the pieces are solid resin. What can I put on the windows that will reflect light coming from the warp engines and the lighted windows on the plastic parts of the model, that will give the illusion that the windows on the resin piece are illuminated. I was thinking of using a silver pen to fill in the winows, but Im hoping you all have something better in mind.

Zen-Builder · Post by **Zen-Builder** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:53 pm

Here is what I would try.

Paint the windows either white or a metallic colour(silver might be a bit strong) and than fill the recesses if any with acrylic gel or a similar medium.

The Gel will simulate the window pane and the colour behind it reflect the light.

Try it on a scrap piece.

Post by **TER-OR** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 8:24 pm

White looks better than silver - white tinted with a bit of yellow looks really good. Cover with good clearcoat.

Or, look for some reflective material like Scotch-lite. I keep meaning to go to a sign shop and get some scraps.

joey_d1119 · Post by **joey_d1119** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 9:51 pm

where can i pick up some scotch lite?

en'til Zog · Post by **en'til Zog** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:59 am

One trick would be to paint ALL the windows with fluorescent paint - paint that glows with 'black light' shines on it. Then shine 'black light' on it!

Scotchlight? Go to an automotive supply shop and look for reflective tape. It's a pebbly lookig white(ish) tape used for marking off warning areas or 'reflectorizing' car bits. By 3M, probably. Wally World often has it.

Post by **TER-OR** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 11:53 pm

Yeah, it's a 3M product. Sign shops use all colors of it for reflective signs. Also seen on shoes, jackets, etc. for night-time visibility.

They may have scraps you could snag. I keep meaning to try this myself. Zog's right though - you will find it in stores as reflector tape.

joey_d1119 · Post by **joey_d1119** » Sat Dec 03, 2005 2:05 am

I just bought some for real cheap on ebay!

irishtrek · Post by **irishtrek** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:01 pm

There's always glow in the dark paints.

Pat Amaral · Post by **Pat Amaral** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 5:54 pm

irishtrek wrote:There's always glow in the dark paints.

That's like...

philosophical.

Almost...

metaphysical

irishtrek · Post by **irishtrek** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 5:03 am

Nere heard metaphisycal before.

kinooruen · Post by **kinooruen** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 2:13 pm

I've had some success with acrylic pearlescent white mixed with transparent colors. The pearl's got a bit more life to it than plain white. Aluminum Plate (buffing) Metallizer with a transparent over coat also works.