Cracked windows how to?

Hi guys, I would like to make crackings on the windshield/windows of a kit but didn't find any how to's. I go for an after-accident look, but I don't want to break the windshield/windows. I would go with a brand new Lexus which has reinforced/glued windshield/windows not the breakable ones like on the old cars. Can anyone help me with some tips? Everything is appreciated!

Thank you, and happy new year to everyone!

The first and most important step is to find pics of exactly what you want the damage to look like. If you simply guess that you know what a broken window looks like and pick a technique to 'damage' it- say scribing cracks in with a sewing needle- the window will look like a plastic kit window that's been scribed with a sewing needle. But if you have good references, you can find a way to recreate what you see. The techniques you use to recreate it are relatively irrelevant- but if you want damaged glass to look real, you must know exactly what real damaged glass looks like.

How about scaling and printing a photo of a real shattered windscreen on clear decal paper?

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/smilies/1068-hmm.gif



http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/smilies/icon_idea.gif






http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/scalebritney.jpg

Seriously though. . lol. .

Tear a hole in some masking tape to the approximate size of the area ya want cracked.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/1-1.jpg


Work your way around with an Exacto blade. Start at either the point of impact and draw the knife lightly out towards the tape edge or make repeated intersecting passes. Remember to take light passes. Your only going for distortion.

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/3.jpg


Keep going until the area is covered with web like lines.


http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/4.jpg


Then remove the tape and add additional spider cracks across the windshield.


http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/5.jpg


http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/7.jpg


Give it a black wash (I used a combo of Tamiya paint and a black Sharpie).


http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/6.jpg


Then use some fine sanding grits to polish out any roughness followed by a good waxing.


http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/8.jpg


http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/9.jpg


Practice on a scrap windshield or even a clear plastic soda bottle to get the hang of it.

Add more cracks or webbing if needed along with addition black washes. You can also add sags by carefully heating if need be.

Sorry for the crappy phone pics. . .

Super idea :thumbsup:

(I wish you posted more often Chuck :lol:)

Thanks, Stevenski. . .:smile:

I liked your idea too!. . .

or you can just take one of my windshields cause i seem to crack them all by accident :(

here i am trying to figure out a way to replace a cracked windshield, and you're trying to crack one on purpose hahahahah....btw, anyone know how/if possible to repair a cracked windshield?

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'm gonna get my ref pics soon and will use Lambo003's idea, I think that's gonna work for me also...

Renelsisc, as for you, yes, I try to crack a windshield on purpose, but it is not that simple. I started my Lexus LS 600hL but screwed with the paint, so I put in in brake fluid to rip the paint off and start it all over again. I don't know how but the fluid was too strong on some points so the front of the kit was totally destroyed, melted and broke into 1cm (1/2 inch) pieces - I was shocked!!! After I realised no way to build it original, I started to think about not wasting a kit but build it another way - like it was wrecked. That's why I want to make a cracked window for that - and ordered the Lex again...

This is how it looks:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z93/janositamas/IMGP7724.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/smilies/1068-hmm.gif



http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/smilies/icon_idea.gif






http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/Lambo63/scalebritney.jpg

Baaaaaaah I really dont get it!