Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Hey guys,

Has anyone out there tinted the windows of your police car models? I'm looking to tint the windows of some of my cars that I'm building right now, but I'm at a loss for how to do it. I don't want a solid tint (ie: just spraying it with gloss black), I want a real tint where some light will still pass through.

Would a thinned spray of gloss black do the trick? Or perhaps there is another technique out there that I missed?

I tried google before this, but all I get is real car tinting tips, and well, that doesn't help here.

Thanks in advance,

Narius

I wish there was an easy way. I've tried real window tint - could not eveer get all of the small bubbles out. If you look at the dark blue unmarked CV I did for a Massachussetts firefighter ( http://community.webshot.com/user/lptxmwl ), you will see my first attempt to tint windows. I just used very light coats of black to get it to the desired tint. I did that sucker about 20 times before I got it half way right. Need to find a better way. If any one knows, let us know.:confused:

Hey Fellas:

I tint 3 different ways. For smaller scales I just open up the diecast and use a grey (not Black) Sharpie. Unfortunately it's a 1 shot deal so practice before you attempt it. The second that works best for me is to buy Tamiya Transparent Smoke Model Paint (availabel in most hobby stores or online). It's water-based, so if its not perfect it can removed with water. The great thing is that you can actually see through it nicely. Last but not least, mix some black or dark grey acrylic paint with some Future Floor wax and brush it on. For the best look always tint from the inside.

Future floor wax is a miracle worker for diecast modelers. It can protect your decals with a light coat, remove scratches from windows and paint and really brighten up any diecast so that it looks shiny and new. I have had diecasts in my display cases that have been coated for 3 years....no yellowing ! You have to work fairly quickly as it tacks, but again since it's acrylic you can remove any errors with water.

I hope this helps ! Cheers !

Bill

Thanks for the replies guys! This website is definately a great resource.

I had considered using Future (I've used it before for other models) but from what I hear (never seen) it yellows. You addressed that it doesn't, so that's good to hear. I was hoping to use Future as a clear coat on my cruiser's but was a bit worried. The guy at my local hobby store stated that he has seen it start to yellow in as little as 3 weeks. My models will be displayed on my window sill, and hence will have direct sunlight (I know, I know), so I'm probably going to stay away from Future for clear coating my car. When you use Future, do you thin it at all? If you do thin it, do you use water, acrylic thinner, or alcohol? I think the problem probably comes from thinning it.

However, for tinting the windows I see no problems with using Future. Thank you for the tip, I will also look into the Tamiya Smoke Grey next time I'm at the hobby shop.

No need to thin the Wax Narius. Use a wafer flat sable rush and do a light coat, keep your eyes peeled for runs or drips. Dries in about 20 minutes. You can apply a second coat in 24 hours. It's as hard as a rock in a few days. Good point about sunlight. My diecasts are in a part of the house where there are no windows. I haven't tried it in sunlight. If you have a junker, plunk it up on the window sill for a few weeks and see how it works out. Cheers !

Bill

Not sure if this will work for you but it might. There is a product known as VHT niteshades [URL="http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/VHT_NITE_SHADES_LENS_SP999_p_1990.html"]
it is specifically used for tinting tail lights on cars, works really well on them, did it to my car, lets light through, but also gives it that tinted smoked look. I think I still have some lying around and if you want me to try it out and take pictures, just let me know, and it can be done. If I were to tint anything, spray wise, this out be the product to use. It goes on light, and if you want it darker just keep adding layers of it. Also, the site I listed isn't the cheapest you can get it, look on google, you might find it even cheaper...or ebay... This is just my opinion though.

take care

Justin

Deleted post, Nightshades already mentioned...

my apologies. I am new to this place and didn't know that niteshades was mentioned. Take care


Justin

my apologies. I am new to this place and didn't know that niteshades was mentioned. Take care


Justin

It wasn't... until you posted. ;)

I just finished tinting some windows for an Expedition project yesterday. I used the Tamiya Smoke. I didn't know if I was supposed to thin it or not, so I used it straight unthinned. It took slightly over one of those small bottles to do all the back and side windows for two Expeditions !!! It took lots of coats to get it dark enough (those Expeditions have almost black glass in the rear). Heck, I guess I should have just used black paint. Would have been a lot cheaper. It will be a while before I finish them. Over all, I am pleased with the smoke. :D

Hey bandera,

Thanks for the update. I might actually be doing mine today. I decided to use Future + Gloss black, as then it'll really give that gloss look that tinted windows have. I saw the smoke grey at the hobby shop the other day, but decided I better try using what I have first. ;)

Just an update:

I tried using Future and some acyrlic paint, but it didn't mix well at all. The pigments just splattered onto the windows.

So then I tried a light mix of gloss black and sprayed it on light. Unfortunately that didn't get the effect I wanted either.

So finally, it looks like Smoke Grey is the only option. Seeing that it's already a transparent paint, I know it'll work fine.

Narius

my apologies. I am new to this place and didn't know that niteshades was mentioned. Take care


Justin


I meant I deleted my post sorry about that...

This is probably a bit delayed, but I'll post anyways. I was at the model store up here in Edmonton, and I believe Testor (or maybe it was Tamiya, they're displayed side by side) actually has a color called Window Tint. If anyone's interested, I could get you more info, and possibly even the store's contact info for shipping. Just thought I'd throw it out there!

Thanks for the info!

I've been quite happy with Smoke Grey as it's essentially the same thing, but goes on light the first few coats allowing for different shades of tint.