I am looking to begin super detailing my caboose fleet. I have seen some that have added window glass, window shades, etc… I would like to do this also. I need advice on what to use, techniques, and so forth. Pictures would be helpful if possible. [;)]
Well, for starters, American Model Builders does make laser cut acrylic windows for a number of items by various manufacturers: http://www.laserkit.com/laserkit.htm. That’ll at least get “glass” in the windows.
Explore and enjoy.
Andre
For windows in cabooses and other cars, I have had success in using the
clear plastic (lexan?) packaging that comes with certain merchandise. Use the
flat material, (obviously) and then I glue it from the inside of the car using
Testor’s Canopy Glue-it dries clear. Window shades can be added by gluing
paper to the inside, or just use masking tape. (Poor man’s method,I know, but
it does work.) For marker lamps, I recommend Utah Pacific CM-64 marker lights.
They are illuminated with small light bulbs and look like Adlake caboose lamps.
They can run on a penlight battery or Utah Pacific has a constant lighting unit
for them. There are plenty of other ideas out there. Good luck![:)]
I used actual glass slide covers (bought cheap at a science surplus stores) for my windows. You have to “break them” to size for the smaller windows – don’t cut yourself.
I also created a very basic interior out of cheap balsa wood and bass wood parts (It only had to approximate the interior since it will not be seen except through the windows) painted interior green. I shaved off the pastic handrails on the sides and ends and used wire. Improving the ends and ladders helps quite a bit.
This goes back a ways - but back when Athearn had real springs in their trucks, Walthers and some others made a leaf spring insert to replace the coil springs. Now of course you can get good manufactuered leaf spring trucks from Eastern Car. I don’t think anyone makes those leaf spring inserts anymore but I saved up a batch from the good old days.
Dave Nelson
For glazing, I simply cut up clear plastic used for dividers or report covers, there always seems to be plenty of this stuff around. I glue it with tester’s liquid cement which capillaries around the window and car interior and doesn’t go out on the window itself. For shades I use a paint masked to give a straight line. Paints used are from white to egg shell white, or other, depending on the prototype. Glazing is one effect that I feel really changes the car from a toy to a model! The glint of glass reflecting back as a car rounds a curve really adds to the realism.