And the rear lanterns are done.
I will start by saying that the lanterns were sadly molded. There were steps and misaligned parting lines that lead to distorted shapes. More on that later.
For now, I want to mention a technique I came up with on my Icarus build. When I constructed the flooring on the Icarus I wanted a way to round corners while at the same time fill joins. I accomplished this by flowing CA over the entire piece. I used a disposable hobby brush dipped into thin CA. Excess is shaken or wicked off the piece. And if more filling was required to round corners, more CA was added. Once cured, I was able to sand the piece to a perfect finish. The added benefit of using CA glue is that it strengthens the piece.
This brings me to my lanterns. Because of the issues mentioned earlier there were defects that I'd need to spend time fixing, probably by using fillers, or primer. That would be difficult to do given the size of these and the tight quarters of some areas. Not in the mood to deal with that-- I opted to flow on CA. By doing this it filled any minor imperfections, and it glossed the piece making it perfect for a thin layer of Alclad paint. And by doing this it also rounded, in some cases, helped align some wonky lines.
This is not something one would want to do on intricate detail, but it is nice option where one is not that concerned about it. Such was the case here.
Painted with Tamiya flat black, then coated with CA.
Below: The lanterns painted with Alclad Brass, sealed with Testors Dullcote. A side note about the dullcote, it knocks down the metal shine and some of its nice effect. That is good or bad depending on what you prefer.
Sadly--once I painted them, I notice how wonky the symmetry is between the two. I should have spent more time addressing that. In my defense it was not as apparent to me until painted. Too bad now-- I am not wasting time fixing it. Henceforth--the lanterns were damaged during a firefight with a roaming band of gold bandits. The repairs less than desirable.
Below: The lenses are installed using Future. The process was this: The lenses were first coated with future, both the front and back, the coatings allowed to cure. Then the lenses are positioned on the lanterns, a fine brush dipped into future, a fine bead of future drawn around the circumference of the lens. This allows the future to wick around and under the lens, setting it in place some. I didn't want the lens moving on me before the next step because if the lens moved on me and I could not align it quick enough, I may end up with a marred finish from my trying to readjust things. Before that application sets too much, I dip the brush with more future, starting at the top center work future over the entire lens, flowing the future towards the joins. Then let is set.
Below: I love how light plays on lenses coated with future. That is the beauty of using future because it enhances the depth of clear parts, it removes imperfections, it enhances optical clarity, and it provides a nice clean install. Along with that it gives a decent bond because the wax wicks incredibly well flowing around and under the piece. It self-levels extremely well too!
And this brings up a tip for anyone wanting to try this. I find it important to coat the front and back of the lens first, allowing the applications to cure. Because of the extreme wicking action, the wax will wick under your lens and if you don't coat it first, you may notice areas where the wax creeped. Somehow-- by coating the piece first-- any creepage does not get seen. It blends perfectly.
Sorry about the next images but I find imaging lighted Leds next to impossible. The bright light overexposes blowing out the detail, so I must underexpose it dramatically. Secondly, the color does not translate well. It is difficult to image the red color. To the human eye, the lenses are red, they are bright, and they look nice when lit.
Timmy-- if you have your ears on-- I am using some parts that you sent me. I will use the parts below as part of the rock auger assembly. I plan to light the tip of the auger. This a nuclear enhanced bit that melts rock as it augers through it. That Nemo is genius!
Phew. This update was work!
Later gator.