Question about instrument panels

[GreMir]

I saw this mentioned somewhere on the forum but after trying all the search terms I can think off with no luck I decided to beg for help
There supposed to be some specific used by our plastic friends to create clear glass effect for the instruments.
I know that I can use clear acetate but that requires putting glue in very tight spaces risking glue going where it's not supposed to go or if use to sparingly, instrument panel separating from the acetate.

Anybody has any ideas?

[dansls1]

I use JOZR5007 JOZ SUPER RCZ56 GLUE - it dries clear, so while I use it sparingly and do my best to avoid getting it in the 'see through' areas, even if it does it doesn't ruin the effect.

[GreMir]

Dan,
I'm looking for something to create the glass for the instruments so I don't have to use the acetate sandwiched between card layers.

[dansls1]

Well, I haven't tried it - but it does dry clear, so you could use the same glue to fill the holes in a thin layer I suppose.
Other than that I don't have anything, sorry

[Stev0]

What about the instrument sheet printing on thin paper over a sheet of acetate over a sheet of gauges. The thin paper will have the gauges punched out and hopefully will not add much to the panel in total thickness.

[modelperry]

Clear gauges can be done with:

micro crystal clear
2 part epoxy
watch crystal cement (g-s hypo)
white glue
testors clear plastic glue

Some of these you can stretch a film across the area to be "lensed" and it will dry clear.

Greg

[GreMir]

Greg,
Thanks. Micro Crystal Clear was the one I saw
I ordered the G-S hypo cement as it supposed to give clearer result. Will try it as soon as I have it in my hands.

[Leif Ohlsson]

I don't suppose I could convince you to just tape over a bottom layer with instruments with ordinary clear tape, then glue top layer of instrument panel with holes over that?

Didn't think so. Oh, well. I've seen reports of people using a blob of white glue, which supposedly dries clear.

Also various reports of dropping "Klear" or "Future" or similar floor polish into the instrument openings (two-layered, with holes for instrument faces). Same procedure as for white glue. Greg's mixture seems very advanced and fine. I guess it's the same or similar stuff they use for water in dioramas.

Still is a firm believer in ordinary clear tape. Or acetate/overhead film. I have been thinking about the following little stack (haven't tried it yet; only works with acetate sheet or overhead film):

1: Copy of your instrument panel (bottom layer)
2: Copy of your instrument panel, with holes (slightly larger than the face holes, to provide depth between "glass" and instrument face)
3: Acetate or overhead film
4: Your instrument panel, with proper instrument face holes (top layer)
5: Optional details, elevated panels, instrument frames, etc.

Leif

[GreMir]

I like the simplicity of the tape method - will have to try with this "invisible" type tape.
Acetate sandwiched between two layers of the panel (one with holes) was my standard approach up to this moment, but I want to try something different to see if I can get more satisfactory result...

[Don Boose]

My concern for the tape method is the possibility of the adhesive of the tape discoloring or becoming gummy after a few years.

Do you have some older models with instrument panels made in this way, Leif?

Don