Window Tint

[Denver Road Doug]

Topic says it all.   What do you guys use to darken clear plastic windows?

There was a company that sold tinted plastic in various colors and darknesses that looked really good.  I bought some of the green for a BNSF business car project, but I cannot for the life of me recall the company name.   But it would also be nice to be able to darken existing plastic windows without the overlay.

I've tried various things.   There are a lot of stained glass paints that seem to have promise, but some require you to cook it in the oven, I assume to "self level" and they don't apply well out of the container.  I've heard of people thinning those and airbrushing it on.   I have seen some Testors et al products, too.  I recall using one of those and again it was verying results.   I just figure somebody has this down, no?

[C855B]

Not a direct answer (...sorry...), but I have been playing with Tamiya transparent paints for other projects, and have to wonder if it might be suitable for what you want to do. There are only a handful of colors, but between the smoke and green, and then figuring-out what solvent to use as a reducer, you might have something with modeler-grade fine pigments you can mix for your needed effect.

[jimmo]

The last company I purchased tinted clear plastic (PVC) from was Midwest.
www.midwestproducts.com/store/products/cb220968-abe8-4077-a49d-efaf5b1ca690/1/Colored_PVC.aspx

At that time they had brown tint that worked really well as a window color. I checked their website and apparently they don't carry it anymore, but they do have other colors.

I also recommend Tamiya Smoke. I haven't tried any of their other colors however.

[Wutter]

I use Rosco photo filters (gels), which are basically thin sheets of plastic film. It comes in a 20 by 24 inch sheet which makes a lot of windows in N scale. For example, available here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/118236-REG/Rosco_RS4415_4415_Filter_Green.html. I use #4315 for a bluish window and #4415 for greener tint.

It might be hard to tell, but this diner has #4315 filters installed behind the windows.

[peteski]

If the windows don't have any complex curves (like in the Bachmann Amfleet cars) I simply replace the clear windows with a piece of automotive window tint.

[Denver Road Doug]

If the windows don't have any complex curves (like in the Bachmann Amfleet cars) I simply replace the clear windows with a piece of automotive window tint.

Thanks for the replies.  Regarding the automotive window tint, I was hoping that someone had used it, as that seemed to be the obvious thing to try.  I assume you mean the stuff you would buy in a roll at Wal-Mart, right? (guess it still comes that way, my only experience was helping my cousin tint his windows once back in high school.)

[jimmo]

I use Rosco photo filters (gels), which are basically thin sheets of plastic film. It comes in a 20 by 24 inch sheet which makes a lot of windows in N scale. For example, available here: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/118236-REG/Rosco_RS4415_4415_Filter_Green.html. I use #4315 for a bluish window and #4415 for greener tint.

It might be hard to tell, but this diner has #4315 filters installed behind the windows.

I really like the look of the gels on this car. Thanks for sharing. Can you use the gel as the window itself or do you have to use it only as a tint?

[Wutter]

Because the gels are really thin, I use them behind the original glazing so they can lay flatter. I've tried using just the gels as the windows on scratchbuilt cars but its very obvious when there is a slight crinkle on the surface; doing it under the normal glazing/ acetate/ acrylic helps hide some of the flaws in application.

[bbussey]

I do the same - Rosco gel behind clear glazing (or real glass).  You can't tell the difference.  The first car below is an upgraded decades-old Atlas/Rivarossi 10-6 sleeper.  It has real .015" thick glass backed with Rosco gel, with the manilla-paper shades behind that.

[arbomambo]

I like the look of those photogels too...
I use the Tamiya brand of 'clear' colors...including smoke...the blue and the green work great...definitely thin them with Tamiya brand thinner to spray...they work beautifully-
Bruce

[peteski]

Thanks for the replies.  Regarding the automotive window tint, I was hoping that someone had used it, as that seemed to be the obvious thing to try.  I assume you mean the stuff you would buy in a roll at Wal-Mart, right? (guess it still comes that way, my only experience was helping my cousin tint his windows once back in high school.)

Yes, the roll of window tint you buy in places like Walmart.  No need to even expose the adhesive (since the backing film is clear. Just cut it to the size you need and either replace the clear glazing or place it behind the existing glazing.

[PRB]

Saw this on the Model:160 blog
http://www.model160.com/n-scale-news-blog/passenger-car-window-tinting/

Tim