Bleaching whites with trans clear windows

gelkster

Hey gang- building #6441 Deep Reef Refuge which has 4 of these that need an H2O2 bath- will the windows be ok in there? Cant seem to pop em out (& dont want to take the chance of breaking them)

CCC

You could try a sacrificial clear part that is common / cheap first. If they get damaged, you could use painters mask, a type of latex that you paint on to waterproof an area of paper (or here plastic), then rub off once finished.

gelkster

When I first started the H2O2 process a few yrs.back, I did the truck windshield from 1976's #550 Windmill trying to bring it back to clear but it made it more opaque. That's why I'm apprehensive about doing the white panels...but those are 10 yrs younger & a different tint than the old windshield 

gelkster

Of course when I Google "painters mask"...

Is this available at hobby shops &/or hardware stores?

CCC

I use Vallejo's liquid mask. Video on its use for model painting here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baRI3VYyDT4

It gets called different things in different places and by different companies, masking fluid, liquid mask, latex mask, etc.

gelkster

OK sending my wife to the hardware store for it & will check a hobby store later today as well. Worst case scenario- I'll have a super white clean panel with a ruined window 

madforLEGO

I guess the question is would it screw up the 'glass' or just put a layer of crud on it, if just a layer then a headlight plastic/acrylic cleaner may clear it up after the fact as well.

gelkster

She wasnt able to find the liquid mask :(

But didn't Jang say it "etches" into the plastic?

CCC

I've used liquid mask on regular LEGO parts and it peels off just fine. I haven't used it on LEGO glass parts. I have used it on clear polycarbonate parts from other manufacturers though (airfix and similar) and they are fine afterwards.

madforLEGO

gelkster said:

She wasnt able to find the liquid mask :(

But didn't Jang say it "etches" into the plastic?

There are a bunch of options in Amazon. @CCC is there a specific manufacturer that you use that may be available worldwide?

CCC

I thought the Vallejo paints range was available in the USA. That is the one I've used.

madforLEGO

CCC said:

I thought the Vallejo paints range was available in the USA. That is the one I've used.

Found it on Amazon. Thanks @CCC