Athearn BB passenger car windowsSince I cutover to LED lighting I’ve had problems with the windows having light refraction above and below the windows. Does any one have a suggestion on how to cure the problem.I’ve tried many fixes and none work 100%. I painted the top “window sprue” black and tried masking tape, those work for the top refraction. I tried redirecting the light to keep it from hitting the windows and that works but the loss of light from the passengers is disturbing.Not using the Athearn windows and using .02” clear Styrene works great but looks wrong not fitting the window frame on the car body. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
My first thought was black tape or something like that on the top and bottom of the sprue but you've done that so my only other suggestion is to try some clear tape on the inside in an attempt to alter the refractive index of the whole unit and try a gloss one and a matt one.
In commercial construction we sometimes use water applied films to alter the properties of glazing systems for one reason or another, although in my experience not for this specifically.
Other than that I'm scratching my head too.
I tried the clear tape and it didn’t help, don’t want to screw up the windows with paint.Thanks for your inputMel Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
I understand your reluctance to use paint but I have had sucess using Tamiya PS-44 to simulate a green tint it might work but I had some junk cars to practice on so........
Also you may well not be modelling something with tinted windows.
Just a thought.
I’m working on a couple of Athearn Kitbashes and I’m not using tinted windows. My thing right now is interiors with figures and want the passengers to be seen easily from the outside of the car.This is what I’m working with.
Previous kitbashed diner to lounge. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
i understand exactly what you mean. i just did a walthers baggage lounge and in the bar area the figures are not super apparent even lit.
Those lamps are great!
As is the whole scene.
Detailing passenger cars has been a feature of my COVID year and a welcome distraction.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnxrJNiESp0KgegPNaOKAG9xOOPyhA?e=bnnH2l
Whilst I am gully of a splurge I also like to see how far i can get a $30 car to a $500 brass version. I did a couple od Walthers heavyweights with good results framed within my skills.
Also just completed a Walthers Creek series observation getting it towards a Railway Classics I used to have and I am surprised by the results. In a good way.
The table lamps work great with no refraction problems. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Mel,
Great job on the heavyweight passenger car(s).
I tinted the windows in my Santa Fe streamlined consist (all Athearn BB kits) with Testor's Transparent Candy Emerald Green paint. I gave me the green cast that the Santa Fe tinted windows. It doesn't seem to preclude viewing the passengers
Here is a photo of one of the dome cars: Sadly I have peopled just the domes in the dome cars though I tinted the windows in the whole consist.
A question. Do you have a source for the lamps you used. I could find a use for a bunch of them.
Thanks.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
BRVRR Mel, A question. Do you have a source for the lamps you used. I could find a use for a bunch of them. Thanks.
I made them.
I have about 25¢ tied up in parts for one complete table lamp.
The first couple drove my crazy, after four or five they got easy. I drive them off 4 volts, my standard lighting voltage in my passenger cars. I tried ⅛ watt resistors but they are too big so I ended up with 270Ω 1206 SMT resistors, remember I’m using 4 volts. I put a 20 turn 5KΩ wire trimpot in every car to make the final brightness adjustment.If you need more info send me your email in a PM. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.