I just picked up Dragon's 1/35 Abrams SEP, nice kit. Well I want to replicate the "coating" that appears on the lenses of the various optic devices they use on the tank.
Here is a link of what I mean
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/US_Army_M1A1_Abrams_main_battle_tank.jpg
anyone know how to acheive this effect?
Ashton
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Modern Optics Coating?
Redfinger
Joined: June 01, 2008
KitMaker: 19 posts
Armorama: 13 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 11:10 AM UTC
HeavyArty
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 05:29 PM UTC
This question comes up often. A little digging will turn up a few different techniques. Here is what I do:
You can get the same effect as laser coated optics with clear paints. I use Testors Model Master Stop Light Red clear. I paint the optic black, then two coats of the clear red, then two coats of clear gloss. This gives it depth and it changes colors from different angles, just like the real thing.
I use a similar technique for older, non-laser coated ones as well, but I use clear green. It gives it the depth and look of thick glass.
You can get the same effect as laser coated optics with clear paints. I use Testors Model Master Stop Light Red clear. I paint the optic black, then two coats of the clear red, then two coats of clear gloss. This gives it depth and it changes colors from different angles, just like the real thing.
I use a similar technique for older, non-laser coated ones as well, but I use clear green. It gives it the depth and look of thick glass.
pigsty
Joined: January 16, 2007
KitMaker: 1,226 posts
Armorama: 451 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 09, 2008 - 10:43 PM UTC
Some people swear by hologram confetti. I expect some people swear at it, but only because they have clear up the church afterwards...
Tankrider
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 03:54 AM UTC
Ashton,
Here is my recipe:
Go to a local party store. Pick up a clear iridescent ribbon or bow and some red mylar gift wrapping. The ribbon will give the color changing effects in reddish-blue side, while the red mylar gives a constant red background that was hard to achieve with clear paints (I tried Tamiya, Testors and some Hobby Lobby stained glass paint as well as tinted Future...). Use some Future to bond the two together and cut to the size needed. Attach the "glass" to the model with Future and give the "glass" one last coat of Future to create depth as well as that glass-like shine. I used it on my LAV-R & Stryker MGS to good effects. Let me know if you have any questions...
John
Here is my recipe:
Go to a local party store. Pick up a clear iridescent ribbon or bow and some red mylar gift wrapping. The ribbon will give the color changing effects in reddish-blue side, while the red mylar gives a constant red background that was hard to achieve with clear paints (I tried Tamiya, Testors and some Hobby Lobby stained glass paint as well as tinted Future...). Use some Future to bond the two together and cut to the size needed. Attach the "glass" to the model with Future and give the "glass" one last coat of Future to create depth as well as that glass-like shine. I used it on my LAV-R & Stryker MGS to good effects. Let me know if you have any questions...
John
LeoCmdr
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 11:10 AM UTC
Very nice technique John,
Can you post an image of what the two materials look like. I think I know which gift wrapping you are talking about but the ribbon would be nice to see.
Very nice LAV-R and MGS. Is the MGS still in progress?....no antennas or .50 Cal.
Can you post an image of what the two materials look like. I think I know which gift wrapping you are talking about but the ribbon would be nice to see.
Very nice LAV-R and MGS. Is the MGS still in progress?....no antennas or .50 Cal.
Tankrider
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 12:43 PM UTC
Jason,
The MGS was done at the time. I passed on the antennas as the model was a rush job, basically OOTB, with some light filtering, no washes, and pigments brushed and sprayed on with the ol' airbrush... I guess that I forgot to mount the .50 as I prepared the model at the show.
The MGS used the ribbon and mylar technique while the LAV-R used ribbon and clear paint (I painted up a bunch of the ribbon and used the best ones). I actually got the idea to combine the ribbon and mylar from Jim Carswell - "look for mylar candy wrappings" suggestion in a previous vision block posting. I will take some pictures on Wednesday - the camera is at the man cave at Ft Sill.
John
The MGS was done at the time. I passed on the antennas as the model was a rush job, basically OOTB, with some light filtering, no washes, and pigments brushed and sprayed on with the ol' airbrush... I guess that I forgot to mount the .50 as I prepared the model at the show.
The MGS used the ribbon and mylar technique while the LAV-R used ribbon and clear paint (I painted up a bunch of the ribbon and used the best ones). I actually got the idea to combine the ribbon and mylar from Jim Carswell - "look for mylar candy wrappings" suggestion in a previous vision block posting. I will take some pictures on Wednesday - the camera is at the man cave at Ft Sill.
John
Tankleader
Joined: April 29, 2003
KitMaker: 718 posts
Armorama: 684 posts
Posted: Monday, November 10, 2008 - 10:41 PM UTC
John,
Great little technique, I am on the verge of doing my vision blocks and this post came along at just the right time.. So, you have a "MAN CAVE" as well! My Black 6 refers to it as the Dungeon.
Tanks
Andy
Great little technique, I am on the verge of doing my vision blocks and this post came along at just the right time.. So, you have a "MAN CAVE" as well! My Black 6 refers to it as the Dungeon.
Tanks
Andy
Tankrider
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 12:58 AM UTC
Quoted Text
John,
Great little technique, I am on the verge of doing my vision blocks and this post came along at just the right time.. So, you have a "MAN CAVE" as well! My Black 6 refers to it as the Dungeon.
Tanks
Andy
Glad to be of assistance, Brother. I didn't like the commute between the home plate and work (not long by some commuter's standards but I guess that I'm spoiled). Nice 1 BR apartment. I have a good friend, who is a Shermaholic, who lives out there also. Let me know how the vision blocks turn out.
John
gcdavidson
Joined: August 05, 2003
KitMaker: 1,698 posts
Armorama: 1,563 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 05:31 AM UTC
Jason, you can get the red mylar gift wrap at Micheal's Craft store in Canada. One roll should be enough to do about 11,000,000 AFV models.
LeoCmdr
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 06:48 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Jason, you can get the red mylar gift wrap at Micheal's Craft store in Canada. One roll should be enough to do about 11,000,000 AFV models.
Excellent......I had feeling that Michael's might have it....and I think I have about 6,154,000 AFV models to build.....so I should have some left over for wrapping presents.
Redfinger
Joined: June 01, 2008
KitMaker: 19 posts
Armorama: 13 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - 09:39 AM UTC
wow!! thanks guys the pics are a great visual!!
Ashton
Ashton
ppawlak1
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 13, 2008 - 04:50 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Here is my recipe:
Go to a local party store. Pick up a clear iridescent ribbon or bow and some red mylar gift wrapping. The ribbon will give the color changing effects in reddish-blue side, while the red mylar gives a constant red background that was hard to achieve with clear paints (I tried Tamiya, Testors and some Hobby Lobby stained glass paint as well as tinted Future...). Use some Future to bond the two together and cut to the size needed. Attach the "glass" to the model with Future and give the "glass" one last coat of Future to create depth as well as that glass-like shine. I used it on my LAV-R & Stryker MGS to good effects. Let me know if you have any questions...
John
John this is a great idea / method !
The best I've seen.
I've got the red mylar and the 'clear iridescent film' is on the way from a craft store. I can't wait to see how this goes.
All my wishes have been answered by your tips.
Thanks a lot !!
Paul
Tankrider
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Friday, November 14, 2008 - 04:53 AM UTC
Paul,
No problem, glad to be of assistance. That is what these pages are for IMHO.
Below are the pictures:
John
No problem, glad to be of assistance. That is what these pages are for IMHO.
Below are the pictures:
John
Tankrider
Joined: October 07, 2002
KitMaker: 1,280 posts
Armorama: 1,208 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 16, 2008 - 02:12 AM UTC
Here are the pictures:
Red Mylar gift wrapping:
Irridecent Ribbon
Ribbon and Mylar bonded together
Optics trimmed up
FInal Product
I hope that these pics help to explain the process. It is really simple to do, once you have gathered the products.
John
Red Mylar gift wrapping:
Irridecent Ribbon
Ribbon and Mylar bonded together
Optics trimmed up
FInal Product
I hope that these pics help to explain the process. It is really simple to do, once you have gathered the products.
John
ppawlak1
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Monday, November 17, 2008 - 07:10 PM UTC
Thanks John !
I got my 'stuff' today
Enough for 200,000 optical blocks !! The film is quite irridescent with two slight tints for different blocks.
I'll try it on the weekend (I have a few projects to play with ATM)
Cheers
Paul
I got my 'stuff' today
Enough for 200,000 optical blocks !! The film is quite irridescent with two slight tints for different blocks.
I'll try it on the weekend (I have a few projects to play with ATM)
Cheers
Paul
ppawlak1
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008 - 10:56 AM UTC
Here are a couple of progress pics of the process above on my Leopard 2A5's driver vision blocks.
Mylar ribbon, future, the film, more future on top of that, & then that is 'glued' to the clear plastic kit parts with future before it is cut to the correct size.
The blocks need another coat of future to give them a 'glassier' look.
I'll post pics of the turret blocks & periscope when they're done:
The color changes when viewed at different angles is quite spectacular. Unfortunately there is no sun today so the pics aren't great.
Cheers
Paul
Mylar ribbon, future, the film, more future on top of that, & then that is 'glued' to the clear plastic kit parts with future before it is cut to the correct size.
The blocks need another coat of future to give them a 'glassier' look.
I'll post pics of the turret blocks & periscope when they're done:
The color changes when viewed at different angles is quite spectacular. Unfortunately there is no sun today so the pics aren't great.
Cheers
Paul
ppawlak1
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008 - 03:51 PM UTC
Here are a couple of the Turret blocks / periscope / sight:
I'm pretty happy with this as a first try
Cheers
Paul
I'm pretty happy with this as a first try
Cheers
Paul
NebLWeffah
Joined: October 13, 2004
KitMaker: 1,683 posts
Armorama: 1,248 posts
Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008 - 04:24 PM UTC
Sweet!! - I gotta try this out.....
Most realistic method I've seen yet, thanks for sharing!
Bob
Most realistic method I've seen yet, thanks for sharing!
Bob
ppawlak1
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008 - 04:35 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Sweet!! - I gotta try this out.....
Most realistic method I've seen yet, thanks for sharing!
Bob
Hey Bob !!
I'm grateful that Tankrider first shared the method here.
I've taken it a little further and I've been experimenting with different colors of the Textiva Fusible film.
In fact I've now got 5 different colors ranging from the two above to two pinks (one darker) and a clearer one.
I'm going to try some slightly pinker film in my Aussie "What if ?" Leo, that's not to say I don't like the results above. Thery're better than I expected and the optics look even nicer in the hand
Cheers
Paul
Removed by original poster on 11/22/08 - 04:41:32 (GMT).
Removed by original poster on 11/22/08 - 04:42:08 (GMT).
mother
Joined: January 29, 2004
KitMaker: 3,836 posts
Armorama: 1,370 posts
Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008 - 04:41 PM UTC
Here’s another one. My daughter came over to wash her cloths one afternoon, while going into the basement for a smoke (we don’t smoke in the house) I found this disc on the floor that changed colors. While rotating in different positions I noticed it changed from gold, magenta, green, purple, blue and such. Asking my daughter where it came from she said it was from her towel. She bought it from Target and it had over 100 over these discs. I mentioned to my wife the next time out that I’d like to get the towel. My daughter said that I could yank of the disc from hers which I said no. After going into the kitchen after Tammy had left I saw on the table a bag full of the discs. She cut them off and left them for me.
Just cut to size and glue on using Future Floor Wax. One thing I noticed that there was a film over the disc which I did remove and just try gluing the film. But it lost it’s luster…so I stuck using the whole disc.
Joe
Just cut to size and glue on using Future Floor Wax. One thing I noticed that there was a film over the disc which I did remove and just try gluing the film. But it lost it’s luster…so I stuck using the whole disc.
Joe
ppawlak1
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Friday, November 21, 2008 - 04:43 PM UTC
Thanks Gary, I got all excited and started putting the film on all the blocks / glass 
I was hoping no one would notice
Seeing I've glued it in I'll probably leave as is - I may leave that door closed I'll have a think about it.
Cheers
Paul.
I was hoping no one would notice
Seeing I've glued it in I'll probably leave as is - I may leave that door closed I'll have a think about it.
Cheers
Paul.
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