material to make model "glass" windows
material to make model "glass" windows
Author
Discussion

steveo3002

Original Poster:

11,068 posts

198 months

Sunday 11th December 2011
quotequote all
the car im working on would improve from a better quality screen

i wondered whats avail to make new ones and who sells it

dr_gn

16,767 posts

208 months

Sunday 11th December 2011
quotequote all
steveo3002 said:
the car im working on would improve from a better quality screen

i wondered whats avail to make new ones and who sells it
Perdu's your man on here - he'll tell you how to vac-form a new one out of transparent plastic.

steveo3002

Original Poster:

11,068 posts

198 months

Monday 12th December 2011
quotequote all
im not sure i need to vac form it even , just need the material

dr_gn

16,767 posts

208 months

Monday 12th December 2011
quotequote all
steveo3002 said:
im not sure i need to vac form it even , just need the material
Any transparent plastic from food containers/chocolate boxes etc ?

thebigmacmoomin

2,889 posts

193 months

Monday 12th December 2011
quotequote all
You can get clear plasticard from modelzone and maybe other craft places. eBay is a good place aswell.

I used it on the rear window of my Escort pickup. What I used was quite thick but can get thinner.





Havent got any better pics im afraid.

That is also a PH similie waterslide decal I made for a few of my models.

perdu

4,885 posts

223 months

Monday 12th December 2011
quotequote all
I kinda like that!

Clear plasticard is fine but it does not like warming up to reshape it like the contours of a really shapely windscreen.

Thanks for kind words doc, I have been vac forming (at last with my own home build vac forming device) today for my next/latest Wessex.

The BEST stuff to use if you want to make your own is Clear Acetate Sheet

The problem I have had so far is finding a supplier frown

I usually use the acetate that comes as packaging for posh presents (lovely firm boxes that some toys and even Christmas cards come in) as it forms nicely with heat

I use my kit canopies filled with Milliput to act as a mould, then when the hot acetate hits the surface it doeant distort

Can you show us the shape you want to replicate thinner? I always do this with canopies simply to get a decent scale effect. How many models have you seen that have windows that in scale would be near enough an inch thick?

Here's my last Wessex with moulded canopy and side windows. Not the greatest picture but you can see what I do and maybe, why.



And a view of the method being used on my Typhoon model last year


steveo3002

Original Poster:

11,068 posts

198 months

Monday 12th December 2011
quotequote all
it would need to be around 0.5mm i think...its on this "toy" delorean that im redoing to make it more accurate , the standard screen is really thick , i just thought if i could make a really nice one it would look nicer

its a bit car ...screen is maybe 80x45mm at a guess


perdu

4,885 posts

223 months

Monday 12th December 2011
quotequote all
That shouldn't be too difficult

Not very curved and a reasonable size

If the screen is removable from the model holding it above the bench on a dollop (I lurve technical terminology) of blue tack and hand pressing a dollop (told you!)of acetate sheet that's been warmed up above a tea light 'til floppy (use a two handed grip and you soon get used to "how much - how hot") then pull it down evenly over the mould/screen, quickly before it cools down.

Trim carefully and say hi to uncle Bob

A better way is using Milliput as I do but for a "once off, give it a go" effort the way I describe should be OK

I do advise practising on things (Plural) you don't NEED first just to get the hang of it. For practise a mate of mine uses the plastic lids of ice cream cartons or margarine lids that don't matter but can let you learn on the job

Whitefly Swatter

1,130 posts

223 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
perdu said:
The BEST stuff to use if you want to make your own is Clear Acetate Sheet

The problem I have had so far is finding a supplier frown
What thickness you want? try overhead projection film that is normally acetate and the thickness varies
try here http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/product.php/8274/cle...

perdu

4,885 posts

223 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
Whitefly Swatter said:
perdu said:
The BEST stuff to use if you want to make your own is Clear Acetate Sheet

The problem I have had so far is finding a supplier frown
What thickness you want? try overhead projection film that is normally acetate and the thickness varies
try here http://www.thecraftbarn.co.uk/product.php/8274/cle...
That sounds like a good shout

I will investigate

(then with luck, INVEST smile )

ta