Hi world , anybody out there know what green paint I can put on my tank periscope to make it look armoured but still glass? Also , what about making headlights look like the real deal ?
Thanks v much .
Ian

Hi Ian, I assume your periscopes are clear plastic? Then you will need to source a "clear green" paint much like the clear red and orange ones you can get for tail/brake lights. There's a few companies that make this. As for the headlights I use a chrome silver which can be buffed when dry to add more shine to it. Then apply minimal glue when adding the lens. Good luck

I first paint it silver, then use a watered down clear green paint on them. But I sure the is another better way.

Wow ! Quick replies men . Thanks a lot , my daughter is amazed that my message got so far away .
Regards Ian

I have had good luck painting the exterior of the body portion of the scope (parts hidden inside the tank) Vallejo Silver and then coat the visible optic portion with thinned clear green. The interior silver lends an effect of depth.

Other folks use the color-shift holographic party confetti cut to size to get the anti-laser optic effects.

For the clear periscopes, I install them all before painting and paint over them the hull color. Then I paint them black, a coat of clear red, and a couple coats of clear gloss. This represents the anti-laser coating well. I don't think the see-through periscopes look realistic. When you look at an armored vehicle from a distance, you can never really see into the periscopes. They just look like glossy dark-red/purple lenses if ant-laser coated, or dark green/ thick glass lenses for older ones w/out the anti-laser coating (which I substitute clear green for as opposed to the clear red).

Google Sticko Shimmering Silver Dots. The best assortment of headlights you will find for the money. They are stickey-backed so you don't need to glue. About $1.50 per pack.

Thanks Mike ,Gina & John . That's great advice and points me in the right direction. Don't know what time it is in the outer most of the British Isles but I hope you have a good day all 3 .
Kind regards
Ian Buick

Apologies, that should have read Gino. Soz mate
Regards Ian

One thing hasn't been mentioned - Sharpie markers.
http://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Permanent-Markers-Colored-30072/dp/B00006IFHG
Of course, the Bic - branded ones work just as well.

Food Coloring — comes in red/yellow/blue. I mixed colors as needed, then applied gloss varnish. I've used it for translucent sun visors in the past.

How about this product?

Alcad II Armoured Glass Lacquer

http://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/tools/alclad/tool_alclad2_alc408.shtml

I picked up a bottle it can be carefully brushed on or airbrushed. I will be using it on a current LAV-150 project.

As far as headlights the MV Product lenses are great if you can find them. The Sticko lenses mentioned are super cheap and a great alternative to MV Product lenses (check eBay for Sticko lenses). Greif also made a variety of headlight lenses. Finally, depending on what you build look at the lens sets offered by SKP Model.

http://www.skpmodel.eu/?id_lang=1

I use the Sticko lenses too! For headlights.
For periscopes I use the clear red and green over black or silver, too. Or the mylar colored party tape looks very convincing.
You've got the good info, Ian, the guys are dead on.
Welcome to Armorama!

Thanks again you lot now I just have to give it a go. Good day all.
Regards Ian

I thought Alcad products are supposed to be used exclusively in an airbrush

If you're only painting a very small area, it's not too hard. You have to work pretty quickly since they dry so fast. Using something like a MicroBrush helps as well.

AK and AMMO have several acrylic clear colors especially for periscopes, lights etc. They look nice and easy to apply both with brush and airbrush:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kDBb0set0g

I use Tamiya's clear paints. They work really well IMHO.

For periscopes I have had success using the magnetic security strips found in CDs, DVDs, and electronics. I remove the metallic strips from the plastic housing and then use a photo-etch clippers to cut them to size. The strips are slightly magnetic which is actually helpful when handling them with tweezers.

For this example I colored the strips green with a sharpie like Floyd suggested.

I have not tried this, but read that mixing food coloring with future, works well.

Nathan-
I've used the Mylar from potato chip bags with decent success, but those metal strips look like they might be better in some applications. Probably where one has to cut the clear bits from a sheet i.e. Tamiya.
Great thing about the Sharpies is that you can layer the colors as easily as with paint. Plus, if you mess it up, it's quick to redo.