Using real reflective tape on model locomotives

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I saw an HO locomotive the other day that had real reflective tape on it, just above the trucks. It was very effective and added anther dimension of realism to the model. Can anyone suggest any specific brands of yellow reflective tape that would work well for this? I assume one would want to use the most thin kind you can get. If anyone has done this already with their locomotives, do you think you could post some pictures and tell me what kind of tape they used?

Thanks

2

I’d look at an auto parts store. That tape on the real locos is REALLY striking when your head lights shine on it.

3

Check this out. I used a Canon A540 PowerShot during daylight hours from 50 ft. away and the reflective tape still picked up the flash.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=911011

3M makes reflective tape that’s sold through 3M dealers. Here’s the link:

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/marine/node_6RN6Q9VG0Qbe/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GS4JK4Y166ge/gvel_XFHSXSN3Z1gl/theme_us_marine_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_htmlI hope this helps you.

4

I think you’ll find that the reflective tape sold in auto stores or almost anywhere else is far too thick to apply to an HO locomotive. When I was making decals, a couple of customers requested reflective striping. I had to use a metallic color to simulate it, and could only do red or yellow (gold). If someone knows how to make reflective striping suitable for HO scale, please post it!

5

I’ll have to agree with Gary on this as the reflective tape I’ve seen so far is pretty thick by HO standards.

I haven’t seen reflective auto pin striping in person yet, so it might be thinner (could be what the modeler used on his HO locomotive). Doing a quick online search I found this:

Pin Striping

Although dimensions are given, there is no mention how thick the tape is.

6

It would be neat to do the reflective striping.

I just sent an e-mail to the company asking how thick the pinstriping tape is. I’ll relay the response.

Ed

7

That would be great!

8

P.S. thanks for the replies, hopefully someone will be able to find something!

9

Found this…
http://www.liquidreflector.com/

Might be just as thick as the tape though…

10

Luke, you’re not allowed to be trainboy…I’m trainboy!

I’d conrtibute to the thread if I modelled the modern era and not the one I do [:P]

11

Hahah nice, scared me when I saw my name ahha but really, do you know any spcific types of reflective tape that would work, ie thin enough?

12

elastomeric technology.

nice find Loathar

glass beads thats what they do with the cross walks here in the big city

I had been thinking of trying to grind up some glass and add to the paint

ingenius

K

13

Reportin’ back, folks. I never heard back from these guys–maybe my spam-block stopped them. Maybe someone might want to just order some. The reflectivity comes from little bitty glass spheres–you can’t just grind up glass to get the effect. I think the spheres are available as a sort of powder. I suppose you could mix them into paint. I have the impression that they settle out very quickly; you have dto shake/stir the paint frequently.

Maybe someday, Ed

14

Thanks for the input. I’ve looked in Canadian Tire a few times for reflective tape, but I’ve had no luck so far. I’ll let you know if I find something.