How do you make your lenses for lights? A while ago I added marker lights and independent ditch lights to my Kato P42. I added LEDs to the cab insert. The lighting works great, but the shell just has holes where the lights are. I would like to add in some lenses. Normally I have just added a bit of 0.5 mm light piping with the end melted to form a lenses. This has worked great on other models where there was more space. However in the P42, the LEDs ended up being right against the outer shell. So there is very little room for the back of the piping. I have tried gluing them in and cutting them off flush but they keep popping out because I wasn't able to get close enough and there was still a little left to press against the LED. I had tried cutting them even shorter before gluing them in, but I didn't have the dexterity with tweezers to manipulate the little discs into place. I tried using Aeleen's clear tacky glue to make lenses in test holes in a sheet of styrene. It looked good wet, but as it dried it ended up turning into a concave shape instead of the normal dome shape. Is Krystal Klear any better at this?
A tiny drop of Micro Kristal Klear in the hole will create a lens. Micro Kristal Klear is my go to for clear windows.
I forgot to add to turn the model into the position you want the tiny drop to harden in. In other words it needs to be propped nose down.
Did another round of test lenses. This time I used a small syringe to suck up some of the glue and push it into the hole. That worked much better than just dabbing it on with a toothpick. Have a nice dome on them now. Have to see how much it contracts or if I end up with stalagtites of glue from putting on too much.
freddy_fo told me awhile back to use UV resin glue (like Bondic) for light tubes and lens. I've used it with success and later found another brand of resin called "Let's Resin" UV glue I got off amazon. The stuff is 100% clear and dried 100% clear. You could fill in the hole, hit it with the UV light to harden it, then place a small drop on the end of the hole and it should form a dome. Hit it with the UV light and you'll have a domed lens. https://www.amazon.com/LETS-RESIN-Bonding-Flashlight-Adhesive/dp/B0BJ65T85R?ref_=ast_sto_dp
I use Gallery Glass Clear. Just put a piece of tape on the inside of the window or light hole. Take a tweezer and dip it in the clear stuff (actually white at this point). Drop it into the hole, and wait. It will spread out. Takes about a day to fully set. You can add layers as needed. You can also color it with acrylic paint. I make lights, windows and the orange and yellow flashers with this stuff.
Thanks, Mike Sorry on the source. I had purchased the fiber years ago. Probably from E-Bay. Best regards, Wolf
I picked up some from this eBay vender a while back, I think it was .030"? He has several options. https://www.ebay.com/itm/274878147941
You can use monofilament fishing line. Just warm the end to make a lens. Use a match or a soldering iron. Cheap and you get about 147 lifetimes worth in a single spool
