Painting over chrome headlights

[moparfarmer]

What do you use to paint over chrome headlights on grills to make them kinda look more realistic..I'am not skilled or steady to drill out and insert lenses..Help needed..I tried Tamiya Acrylic Clear flat and it doesn't look too bad..I've heard clear lacquer is good too..Any thoughts or newer ideas?

[89AKurt]

Have you tried two-part clear epoxy glue?  For the IMC J-car the headlights were flat, so I piled it into a dome.  If what you are talking about are rounded, then a thin even layer might give the impression of a lens.

[stitchdup]

The clear plastic from googley eyes works pretty well if the chrome part has the texture. Just give the chrome parts a very light white/cream wash then cut the googley eye to fit

[Foxer]

we have vast knowledge here so I searched your title  ))

 

 

there are many more .. I myself I prefer a white pearl paint.

[yh70]

i use a flat white paint

[espo]

I just use a couple of drops of clear and it will close unless you're doing a very close inspection. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

Try a little clear gloss with just a tiny bit of white mixed in.

You can also try doing a very light black wash on the lens prior to using the clear/white mixture over the top.

 

 

Steve

[charlie8575]

Tamiya flat aluminum paint (XF-17,  I think, the acrylic jar,) followed by a little Testors clear parts cement (which can also make lenses) works very nicely.

Charlie Larkin

[Greg Myers]

I have used the white glue to success. However I'm going to try these next. Thanks Leslie 

[carrucha]

I also have used 2-part clear epoxy glue.  I applied it with a toothpick.  You need to work fast because the glue gets stringy really quick.  I learned the hard way when I got glue strings on my chrome bumper/grill.  To be on the safe side, I mask everything except the headlights. Epoxy glue is not as good as clear lenses but it does give the headlights some depth. 

[randyc]

On my current build, AMT 59 Chrysler, I tried something new.   No photos but looking okay so far.  I colored them in with silver sharpie.  Then wiped over that to remove some of hte sharpie.   Then put a dollop of Micro Krystal Kleer over that to try to make a smooth lens.   I'll try to get a photo soon.  I still need to run a thin black wash around them too.  Anything to make them appear different from the rest of the chrome around them helps.

[randyc]

Couple photos.