window tint

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
1

I have been seeing more and more photos of modelers tinting the windshield on aircraft with a green tint. Can anyone tell me how they do that. It is a really cool affect and I would like to try it. Thanks

2

Actually, it’s most often a yellow tint and there are several methods of accomplishing it. The coloration on actual canopy glass can be from actual tinting of the glass or in several cases a thin coating of Indium Tin Oxide - which gives it a slightly gold mirrored look. F-117s, F-16s and F-22s spring to mind for good examples of this.

There’s the method of dipping the canopy into colored Future floor polish, but every photo I’ve seen of this method looks uneven. Some have suggested using actual window tinting film, but on compound curves this won’t fit the curves.

For my F-117A that is in progress now, I will likely just get some Tamiya clear yellow and airbrush a light coating on the inside of the canopy before painting. An airbrush will be the key here I think as hand brushing or dipping won’t provide the even results I’m looking for.

Did this help ya at all?

Brian~

3

Tamaiya makes the “clear” colors!!!

4

Thanks guys, that does help me out. Airbrushing does make sense since it wont leave brush marks. And I didnt realize Tamiya makes clear paints.

5

Ya know - when I looked back over your original post I wasn’t thinking about the green glass sometimes found above the pilots heads on some cargo planes and helecopters. This could also be done with the Tamiya clear colors and the do make a green as well.

Best

Bri~