"Rainbowing" of windshields on modern locos.....

[drgwguy]

Hello All-

I was curious whether anyone has attempted (successfully) to give the "rainbow" sheen to the windshields of their projects? Or, does anyone have an idea on how it would be possible? I have a build for someone that would like this if possible, but I can't think of how to do it and have never heard of it being done before.

Thanks for any help,
Rick F.

[danraitz]

I've seen it done by masking off the area you want clear and then spraying on thin coat of dull-coat.

[Mark R.]

Not sure I understand what it is you are trying to replicate. (?)

Mark.

[Deleted]

he's trying to represent the exhaust oil sheen as seen on wide cab units more common to being a trailing unit

[sd80macs]

Its not an oil sheen its a coating on newer loco windows kind of like a coating that binoculars and camera lenses have. These pics show what it looks like from a certain angle.

[Mark R.]

I've seen some clear plastic wrapping paper that does that. Usually used for gift / fruit baskets. Might keep your eyes peeled for something like that ....



Mark.

[big train james]

I believe it's caused by the glass being polarized. That's just a presumption, but it would make some sense in an attempt to cut glare and reflection off the hood.

Jim

[dekon]

Or is it the electric defrosting glass. I was in a FL-9 cab not to long ago and the engineers window was electrically defrosted and had that gold tint to it and the other side was not and the glass was clear.

[Mark R.]

No doubt the glass has been "filmed" to reduce glare. Here's the reason for the rainbow effect ....

physics.bu.edu/py106/notes/Thinfilm.html

Mark.

[Matthew]

Tamiya have a spray that leaves this effect. I think it is called pearl, and is clear and could be TS-65.
Matthew

[drgwguy]

Thanks to all. Matthew, it sounds like Tamiya would be the easiest solution, as the effect is seen on airplane canopies and glass as well.

Rick