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Screenshot_20190730-124713_Package installer~01~01Anyone have suggestions on a clear but darkened window for use on Amtrak cars?  Mostly these windows look black in daytime with only hints of the interior visible.  I am about to finish my OK Engines cars (not Viewliners yet)  and prefer to darken these windows.

Photo by me, Toledo OH.  National Train Day

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Last edited by VistaDomeScott
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Scott we are at the beach on vacation. When we get back home, I will try to locate or take some.

Our layout is being built and a lot of our stuff is packed away pending completion of level one. Locating things in the attic this time of year requires a significant cold front. I went in there to get something for the boat before we left home and 3-4 minutes were brutal.

If you're in a metro area, look/google around for gels at theatrical supply houses - they're used to provide different colors on stage lights used for everything from stage productions to rock concerts. These are like thin flexible plastic, easily cut with sissors, and color choices cover the waterfront. They're also heat resistant, because they're normally mounted on frames in front of hot stage light fixtures, although that shouldn't be a consideration for your use.

Last edited by breezinup

I have used the static cling window tinting kits that you can buy in stores like Hone Depot. Works great and not permanent.  You put it on the inside of the car over the existing plastic. I put on 2-3 layers. The first photo shows in normal lighting. Second picture is with the lights dimmed.

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Last edited by eaaiii
OGR CEO-PUBLISHER posted:

You may also want to take a look at an office supply.  I found report covers that were dark in color and transparent.  I bought several for just a few dollars and then cut them in strips to fit/slide over the existing clear windows in Superliner cars.  Perfect tint to the windows!  AND...very inexpensive and quick!

Alan,

Thats a fantastic idea!   Will be looking for that later today!

Scott

No luck at the office supply stores in my area.  All other colors imaginable though.  The manager at one store said they didnt get any grey or black transparent folders or anything like that this year.  

A stop at Walmart and I bought a spray paint can of Rustoleum transparent tinting.  Will try that out on the clear sheets I have here from OK Engines. Hopefully it looks good.

One other possibility that I have used: inkjet transparency sheets, which I believe are used mainly for overhead projector slides. They will take any inkjet printer color you like and as long as you set the opacity to something like 50% or less, they will not blot out all the light from the interior of an illuminated passenger car.

In my case, I used these sheets to dim down the light from overly bright Lionel LEDs.

20190818_021308~01Here is an OK Engines Slumbercoach with window strips painted with lens tinting paint on clear plastic.  If I add some lights to the car they will be transparent blackened tint.  I think I will go with this for now.  Maybe put a minimum of windows illuminated.  This car still needs undercarriage details added. 

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Last edited by VistaDomeScott

Here is a K-line dome, with tint painted strip of clear plastic taped behind the existing k-line clear windows.  Night running reveals some irregularities in the paint. I will probably switch to an already tinted plastic as ideas above suggest.   These painted ones will do for now.  20190819_19243620190819_192444I almost decided to tint paint the inside of the dome glass but having added a few riders up there I hated to hide them. What do you guys think of the dome being tinted also?

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Last edited by VistaDomeScott
Charlie posted:

You might want to try Roscolux, a film material (gel) that we have used in the photo industry for many years. Lots of colors to choose from.

Roscolux Products

As much as I hate to recommend them, B&H might be your easiest option unless you have a well stocked camera store or video rental company near by.

Charlie

Roscolux would be my first choice. It's development and primary use is in theatrical stage lighting industry.  It's also used widely in the film industry for altering color temperature and diffusion. I would recommend sourcing it from a theatrical supply company. They are more likely to stock the entire range and certainly cheaper than B&H. The color that would best suit your needs would be #98, Medium Grey. You cand double it up if it needs to be darker. Here's a supplier:

https://www.norcostco.com/lighting.aspx 

 

Last edited by Mill City

https://us.rosco.com/en/produc...g/filters-diffusions  These are mylar film sheets used in theater, concert lighting and throughout the film industry. They come in different sizes. I use for green window tint. They also have neutral density filters in almost any light Transmission percentage like window tinting without the adhesive. So basically you can cut strips and put inside or outside the window depending on the manufacture. 

In r/c airplanes I need to "smoke" the canopies now and then. I use ritz dye in heated water until it is the darkness I am looking for.

The key is to heat the water just under the temp (around 170 degrees) that will distort the plastic. It takes a few minutes so you can keep checking to see that you don't get it darker than you want. It is permanent and will not rub off.

A tip from Tim Allen...don't use your wife's best pan.

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