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.

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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.

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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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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.

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Personally I have found great friends in Microscale Kristal Klear and DeLuxe Looks Like Glass. They are not just reserved to glue transparent parts or even transform them into a glass duplicate, but they both served me well to add “glass” on those gauges you mentioned. Just hold the Panel flat and allow a drop to drip unto one of them and let it set completely. Since both products come in liquid form it is important to let them dry thoroughly.
Do not worry if it looks bubbly at first, in time it flattens by itself and gives the necessary glass shine to the gauge. Should it be too bubbly, you may take a cotton swab (those usually used for makeup) and slightly pass over it to retrieve the excess liquid.
This technique can also be applied to mirrors and signaling lights.

Prosperous modeling to you.