How to make individual cockpit gauges look like glass?

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials
1

I’ve seen some UV stuff mentioned in videos for cockpit instrumentation but I can’t find the different videos I have watched in the past. Apparently I wasn’t logged into my YT account to see the history. Any help is appreciated since I am working on a few 1/48 models and need some suggestions since I want the canopies open and they will be displayed that way.

2

I’ve never used the UV stuff but, I do use Testors clear parts cement to replicate the glass on the gauges.
Steve

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3

A thick dob of gloss clearcoat on each gauge works well too.

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4

Personally I use Greenstuff UV clear resin applied with a toothpick. Does a great job of making the glass part.

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5

An application of clear epoxy on each instrument face will do the trick. I use 5 minute Bob Smith epoxy but 5 minute Devcon works too. 5 minute epoxy because you don’t want to wait on it all day.

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6

I use a drop of Future acrylic floor coating in each dial. Since it’s no longer in production, though, Quick Shine works just as well.

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7

Thanks for the suggestions.

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8

I have used aftermarket panels with glossy instrument faces. They look good when seen face on where the light is reflected towards your eyes. When mounted in a cockpit I don’t think you can see a difference. At least I can’t.

To the responder who uses epoxy. Remember epoxy - all epoxy- yellows with age. I reinforced the landing gear of my AMK Mig-31 with Bob Smith epoxy when I built it a couple of years ago. It’s now a very ugly brownish yellow.

9

Here’s a method FSM contributor Chuck Davis (@Chuckd) uses. https://finescale.com/online-extras/how-to/2023/01/how-to-simulate-glass-in-model-aircraft-instrument-panels

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10

I never would’ve thought of using that method. I normally use a drop of gloss coat over the dials just like most people. The thing that I’ve run into using that method is that when the gloss coat dries, it’s not an even shiny surface. Thanks for posting the link.

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11

There is a product called ‘Glue N’ Glaze’ from Deluxe Materials- basically a PVA type glue that can be used on canopies, clear parts etc- but can also be used to create glass on small areas- like tiny window frames etc. A drop of it on instrument panels gives the idea of the glass over them.