How to make package shelf lights for any scale car.

[motorcade1]

This is a basic process that with practice you can make just about any light or combination that you want.  Most of it is done with what I call the "calibrated eyeball".  By that I mean you size your material to what "looks good" to you.  I'm not skilled enough in math to actually scale things exactly.  As for varying scales... you can simply adjust what you are working with to either a larger or smaller item depending on what scale you are working with.  Time and practice will make it easier for you.  So here goes....
   
     Materials can be purchased at any good hobby shop.  Photo #1 shows the material I used to make the package-shelf lights on my 1:18th scale O.P.P Impala (see my gallery).  You can get various sizes of plastic material for varying needs.  To make your lights on your project simply buy a thinner or thicker stock of material to the size appropriate to what you need and simply cut the material from the strip as needed for your application as seen in Photo #2.

[motorcade1]

     Then in Photo #3 you use sand paper or nail files like the one shown.  With these files, you can finish off or polish to a shine the plastic you are working with.  Now that you have removed any rough spots, you are ready to apply the Bare Metal Foil see Photo #4.  Just cut a little over size and apply Photo #5.   Now trim with a NEW razor blade or an X-Acto Knife as seen in Photo #6.

[motorcade1]

     Now comes the Only Hard Part.  The trimming out of the light with black paint to symbolize the black plastic housing and divider if applicable (which it was with this particular light).  This does require a steady hand.  I use Model Master Acryil semi-gloss black.  This better replicates the lights plastic housing.  Also, if you goof up on the trimming of the lens, it allows you to remove it to redo (or, using a fine point toothpick you might be able to remove excess if you have a steady hand) See Photo #7.

[motorcade1]

Now that the trimming is done you are ready to apply the epoxy Photo #8.  I use 5 Minute Epoxy for most of my projects so they will set up quickly.  If you are making alot of these lights you can use regular epoxy but don't handle them until the next day.  I mix and apply the epoxy with a toothpick Photo #9.  The epoxy should level itself off as seen in this profile Photo #10.  Once you have applied the epoxy I would strongly suggest you set those parts aside overnight.  Even with the 5 Minute Epoxy.

[motorcade1]

     The next day, with the epoxy fully cured, you can now finish the light by painting the lenses with what ever color or color combinations you desire Photo #11.  Personally I use Tamiya Color brand clear paints... clear red, clear blue, clear orange, clear yellow, clear green... depending on what I need. 

So there you have it.  This takes more time to explain it than it does to actually do it. 

[motorcade1]

Just to show the versatility of this method, I have even made Headliner Lights using the same process.  To do this, I simply modified the length of the material and used the edge of the plastic stock rather than the face. See Photo #12.  

Now take this and run with it.  Let’s see what you can come up with.

Mark    


PS:  I will add a short piece to this soon showing how to make package shelf lights round instead of rectangle.  C-Ya.
 

[motorcade1]

It has been brought to my attention that the product Kristal Klear can also be used as a lens material in place of the epoxy.  I personally have not used that product but as many of you have seen on other replicas shown on this forum it is a very good option.  I am going to have to try it myself.