What can you use to tint cab windows to partially hide the non-proto appearance of motors and wiring that may show through? I read a while back of a modeler who did this, but can’t recall where… Cedarwoodron
Wouldn’t it be better toput a picture of an engineer in the windoe?
I have never done this with locomotives, but I have blocked the view inside windows with black construction paper. … For tinted glass I place colored cellophane behind the clear plastic window using clear tape to hold it where the tape will not be seen from the outside.
There is a company that makes a spray-can paint that’s made to paint the inside of windows of buildings. It’s less of a tinting than weathering, making the inside of the window kind of a smoky gray-black. The outside of the window glazing stays shiny, but the window becomes only semi-transparent. I think it’s made by Testor’s but I’m not sure. Otherwise a couple of companies make clear paint (I know Tamiya does) that you could brush on the inside too. For your purposes, using transparent black paint would probably work best. Transparent green works well for the tinted windows in streamlined passenger cars.
You might try Hobby Lobby or other craft stores for transparent paints used on fake stained glass. You can also try tinting some clear gloss with a little color paint or ink.
-Bob
After I wrote this, I came across a reference to Model Masters black tint spray on the Hobbytown website. Has anyone used this? I previously experimented with a flat Sharpie marker, but it was not even in coverage. Using a blackout paper would be not an option, as I might as well paint the window plastic black completely- which would not be credible. Using tint film from an auto store would also be awkward- how would it stick to acrylic clear plastic? Cedarwoodron
I seem to recall spraying a coat of clear flat to give it a foggy appearance.
Steve S
To be perfectly Frank (whoever Frank is), that is one of the few things in the hobby that hasn’t been a concern for me. Can’t hardly see in the windows anyway.
Bob