Painting side turn lights

[Marianitem]

Hi. I typed in the search tool every keyword that came out from my brain related to painting the tiny lights, generally turning lights (orange) but sometimes are possition lights (red) or whatever color. The problem comes out when the kit does not include a clear part to be painted and fixed, but molded to the body instead.
I used to just brush paint in gloss orange over the molding, but it´s not a great "glass of a light" effect.

I´m talking about that orange light on the side, between the front wheel and the side mirror (sorry to P-Man for using your pic to show this, and if it´s forbidden to do that just let me know so I edit the link).


I thought of giving a white or silver base coat with the brush (just paint the "light" in white or silver) and then repaint over it with a drop of clear orange or clear red, but did not want to ruin a kit like that without knowing beforehand. Anyone tried this one?
How do you guys do this?

[wolvyreen]

I have the exact same sentiments! I hate the fact that the side indicators are molded to the bodies. But I agree, first painting a silver base coat and then clear orange was my thoughts too on how I was going to do my models.

[Ettore]

Best way by far is to put bare metal foil over the side or tail light and use a clear color marker to apply the color. Don't know if they are available to you, I use Sharpies. Colored ink or translucent paint would do as well.

[CFarias]

I agree. Use bare-metal foil first and then lightly brush on some clear orange or read such as Tamiya's X-26 Clear Orange or X-27 Clear Red. In my opinion, the bare-metal foil gives a better reflection than silver paint.

[914joe]

I like to make these parts separate. I'd use some scrape nickel photoetch and if you don't have any you can buy some thin nickel sheet. First cut the general size of the part from the nickel then solder a brass rod to that nickel part. Now you can fix this in a pin vice for final shaping and polishing. Then add. Your desired treatment for the lends... I'd use a tinted epoxy but make sure it's good epoxy, poor quality epoxy will yellow and soften over time.

[Foxerjr]

I second the motion of BMF and an orange Sharpie. I used numerous clear oranges and never could get the sharp edges I do with a Sharpie. Plus it looks better and is much easier to do.

[Eric Cole]

I use Bare Metal Foil over the molded in light. Cut the foil a little larger than needed, burnish it in place, paint the clear red / clear orange then trim and remove the excess foil and you'll have a perfect clean edge.