Painting Headlights . . . NO STICKERS . . .

[rocknbil]

Has anyone become frustrated with the bodies that come with no stickers? (Bolink, Hot Bodies, ARE YOU LISTENING?) Following is a series of uploads the might be in the right direction, it definately needs some refinement but as a first expirament it didn't turn out too bad.

Step One: Drywall Tape

This starts with adhesive drywall tape which comes in a 1/8" mesh. The adhesive has the perfect tack - just enough to hold throughout the process and done leave a gooey deposit. As you can see the mesh is a little too large . . . .

[rocknbil]

. . . so another layer is laid in in perfect register with the first to create a 1/16" grid.

[rocknbil]

Step Two: Highlight Masks

Next I cut masks for the highlights. Using cellophane packing tape, I taped both sides of ordinary bond paper, then cut out the masks. this makes cleanable "stencils" that can be used for both sides and mirrored if necessary. The adhesive on the drywall tape holds it in place. White is airbrushed through the masks.

[rocknbil]

Step Three: Contrast Shadows

Same as above, I cut masks for the shadow areas. The things that makes headlights look like headlights are the criss-cross patterns and more importanly, the high-contrast between the highlights and shadows.

[rocknbil]

Step Four: Bring it All Together

Now we need to "knock down" the criss-cross pattern to bring it all together, and this is where I kind of lost it. I used too much black on the edges and too much silver, it killed the contrast a bit. Better luck next time! :) This is how it looked before doing that . . .

[rocknbil]

Final Headlights

OK so it's not that great but you can see the potential. I need to use less silver and black edging. From a bit of a distance, it's pretty convincing . . .

Does anyone else have a better technique for headlights?

[NMT_RACER_BOY]

wow that's pretty sweet

[InspGadgt]

Very interesting idea and definately better than average results. Though most times I notice the criss cross pattern on the bulb lens not on the bucket cover...maybe do that on a couple round spots to simulate bulbs then shadow around that for the bucket?...just a thought

The other thing I was thinking when I saw that is there might be a way to use that technique to make a more "scale" sized carbon fiber weave pattern. That's what's been holding me back from trying to paint carbon fiber because the existing method has too large of a weave pattern.

[rocknbil]

It would probably work better than that than for headlights . . . goot tip, will apply it to this weekend's project.

[Aluma]

I'd get a picture of a real one, reverse print it on clear label sticker paper and stick it on the inside. ( once printed, paint the sticker with a silver or chrome backing and it will shine through)

[drader]

I always make "light-cups" behind the lenses; after the body is painted I shoo-goo a layer of plastic about 1/8th" behind the lense, so there is depth. Then I find a good picture of a headlight, print it out, and glue it to the light-cup. Makes head and tail lights look real.

[gwbruce]

Drader,

Got a picture? I understand what you are saying, but I would like to see one that if finished.

Thanks,
Gary