coloring the tail light

when i look around other model's pic, I see some tail light which are so dark and u can't see the color of the light. Wonder what you guys put of the back of the tail light to it make it look brighter. Some sort of reflecting stickers?

Bare Metal Foil works great

There are are a few options, I reccomend all be applied to the body cavity where light goes over and not the back of the light itself. Bare Metal Foil(get at hobby shop),if its a flat area silver decal can be used, if not use silver paint. It does not have to be chrome like shiny for a realistic effect(only the headlights need chrome).

I prefer Bare metal Foil; silver paint or decal gives a toy-like finish in my opinion.

I'm using Aluminium foil which you can get at any grocery store. Also good for making mirrors.

Some kits such as the Tamiya Ferrari F50 and Subaru Impreza 02 have this chrome stickers that you can use. It gives a very realistic tailight effect (especially the sticker of the Subaru Impreza.)

how about the colour?
do you paint on the inside or the outside of the clear part?

how about the colour?
do you paint on the inside or the outside of the clear part?

Inside, always the inside.

You can use Testors Aluminum Plate or Stainless Steel Metalizers for the background also. I prefer Stainless, it buffs out nice and shiny.

how about if the lights are the smoked type?
i always thought the smoke was painted on the outside...
AND another thing.
i've got an rx-7 done but the rear lights look awful.
i've painted the colour on the inside but something seems to be not quite right...
i'll get a pic posted here so you can see what i mean.

I prefer Bare metal Foil; silver paint or decal gives a toy-like finish in my opinion.

bare metal foil with transparent colors is the best way

heres 2 comparison shots for you. I was trying different ways of doing the tails. All lights are painted with tamiya clear red acrylic. the outer two have bare metal foil behind them, the inner two don't.

I did a shitty job (first time using BMF). :lol2: but you can still see the effect the BMF has when used.

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/blueboost/images/slow5.bmp
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/blueboost/images/slow4.bmp

You should leave it like that, it looks as though the brake lights are on. I usually just paint the surface behind the lamp silver, I don't recall having done a model yet where the tail opens into a void in the body, but I presume I would use BMF instead of paint to avoid paint reactions.

You should leave it like that, it looks as though the brake lights are on.


good to hear cause thats exactly what I was goin for. you know.. when your lights are on but the headlights arent.. that look.