Just curious what you guys do on periscope lenses on tanks/APCs.
I've used black, royal blue, light blue, etc.... Never really thought about what is "right."

I've always had a preference for gloss or semi-gloss black. I've always though the light blue looked odd -- even if it is based on some actual optics. I've also seen some vision blocks on real AFVs that had a greenish tint. (I'd probably still paint 'em black, unless I was modeling them in clear plastic -- then I'd probably try to tint the clear.)

I have never tried it, but I have been wanting to try to tint some epoxy whatever color glass you want with some acrylic paint or maybe ink. Then fill the lens area with the epoxy. It sets pretty clear just try to keep the air bubbles out of it. Don't know if it would work or not, I think it would. Never hurts to try on some scrap.

I have tried to match each tank individualy with good and horrendous results. if I'm doing blue, green red or or orange I'll paint silver on first then a clear of whichever color for black sights I paint silver then gloss black and finaly a coat of future as a lasat step for al of them.

Josh Weingarten aka shiryon

I normally paint optics dark glossy blue. The main color I use now is ice blue metallic, which is a bit of a misnomer since it really isn't metallic paint, just a good glossy dark blue. If I know the usual colors, like the various colors for optics found on an Abrams, I'll try to paint them according to my references. Even then, I either paint with a glossy paint for give them a gloss coat when done.

There is actually a paint out there, I saw it in FSM I think, that mimics the different colour changes of optics. It changes colour as well, kinda cool. Has anyone else seen this?