How to Thread: Blacking out Tamiya Toyota Supra headlight buckets

[Some_Kid]

Hi everyone I know this is kind of random thread but I tried an experiment recently with a scrap body Supra I had and I wanted to share it with you.

I've seen many builds of this kit on the forum and a lot of people like to black out the headlights to make it look like a newer model. Which it does look pretty amazing.

Now on the actual car the headlights from my best knowledge came in chrome, gunmetal, and black. I've never actually seen a "chrome silver" version that the tamiya painting guide calls for on this part.

However I wanted to try and give this an updated look and make look as realistic possible. I wanted to post this because I know a lot people build this kit and I think it will help others. So I hope it's cool that I post it in this section. I'm not saying this is the best way to do it but I think this is a really good way to get a realistic portrayal here.

So what I did was brush paint the headlight buckets with flat black from vallejo paints. I then put a drop of future floor wax on a brush and carefully coated the high beam lens to provide a glossy foundation.

Then with a q-tip I applied Kosutte Gin San for the reflective chrome effect. Once you get the desired shine you can touch up paint the area with black again.

The other bulbs were painted black from behind and BMF'd as well. Pretty simple really. Quality products do all the work. Here are the photos and I hope this helps someone.

[Some_Kid]

Not far off I must say

[JeremyJon]

Good work! Always good to exercise new skills, on something other than a "good" model LOL

For some additional detail effect, look to the edges (sides) of the clear lenses, on the real car photo you can see a black gasket around the edges
You can simulate this effect well by sanding smooth, using a fine emery stick, to make flat edge, and then paint easily by hand with flat or semi-g black, the fine edge of the black will be visible from the front

[jzx100]

You made it look exactly like the 1:1 headlight. Great job

btw what's does the "chrome silver" color look like? (According to tamiya specs)

[Some_Kid]

Thanks man. Chrome Silver from Tamiya is really just a brighter version of flat aluminum with a bigger metal flake. Nice paint actually but I have yet to see a real Supra with "silver" headlights as opposed to chrome or flat black.

[edwardpattison87]

that's nice and do not forget to service your car on time