Hi all, Im painting a softskin Tamiyas Pink Panther for the out of the box campaign I dont have a lot of experience painting lenses or mirrors and i was wondering if anyone has a way of painting them other than "silver" i cant use after market lenses due to the nature of the campaign. i would appreciate any help.

Hi john

Personally I render the mirrors cutting a small piece of alluminum foil which I attach to the plastic parts. I put the glue on the less shining side and I leave outside the more shining face
I have an alluminum foil glue, but you should use also a vinyl or an achrilic glue to attach such tiny foils pieces

Regarding the circular lenses I emboss a thickest metal foil using a tool with a spherical head. Then I cut that sort of emosphere from the foil and I put on the deep of the headlight

I hope this is useful for you

cheers

PVA Glue/White Glue can also be used to give the impression of glass/glazed surfaces. I sometimes will paint a mirror in silver (Mr. Hobby Silver can be buffed to a good shine) and then use some PVA in a thin coat to cover it- when it dries it gives off a kind of sheen. This is quick and simple to do although I think good shiny foil would be hard to beat.

Hi John, I find Humbrol 27002 is a good way of simulating the reflectors in head-lights.
If the head-light's not too small I use super-glue (CA) to insert a little blob of solder to hint at a light bulb (but leave it over-night to give the CA fumes time to vent off, otherwise the lens will go milky - guess how I found that one out...)
Good luck with your Pink Panther.

Many thanks for the help guys think i will try the foil for the rear views and experiment with the other methods. many thanks