Painted Window Glazing?
#1
I read an article in a recent magazine (sorry, can't remember which) and the author said that he paints the back side of his windows primer gray. He claims this allows the viewable outside window to retain it's sheen, yet prevents viewing through the whole building.

I was just wondering if anyone else has tried this, and if you were happy with the results?
Tony
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#2
I've done it with black paint. I've also dullcoted inside and out. The author is right - coating the inside allows the shine to remain on the outside. I like the dullcote too, since it makes the windows look dirty/dusty.

Andrew
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#3
I found out that if after you dull coat the windows, if your not to happy with the results, you can coat them with some testers cement for clear plastic to restore some of the transparency.
 My other car is a locomotive, ARHS restoration crew  
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#4
I would assume this works best on windows with mullions? I would imagine that any large single-pane window (like a storefront) probably wouldn't look very good being painted.
Tony
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#5
2-8-2 Wrote:I would assume this works best on windows with mullions? I would imagine that any large single-pane window (like a storefront) probably wouldn't loo good being painted.

I think a store front looks a lot better if you either model the interior, or put up a photograph of an interior just inside of the window. Factory and warehouse buildings can have the windows dull coated because most that I have seen get filthy dirty and no one bothers with cleaning the windows anyway.
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#6
I've used exposed developed B&W film, when the film has been exposed to light the emulsion turns black and the opposite side is high gloss. Want a semi-dull window? Turn the film around. Of course since the advent of digital photography the availability of exposed film mistakes for modeling use are few and far between. I scratchbuilt an entire old west town (11 structures) for a late friend and used undeveloped X-ray film in those windows, the film was a dark gray if I remember correctly (it's been almost 40 years since I built them and 30 years since I last saw them). Unfortunately his heirs got rid of the layout shortly after his death (cut apart with power saws, ending with a dumpster trip to the local landfill) and only kept the locomotives and some cars as keepsakes.

Greg
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#7
I think the goal is to divert your attention elsewhere. Today, I was admiring a fine Reading (steam era) layout on which the roundhouse did not have an interior...just really foggy windows. I doubt many people noticed it as he had many gorgeously detailed structures to draw your attention.
Michael
My primary goal is a large Oahu Railway layout in On3
My secondary interests are modeling the Denver, South Park, & Pacific in On3 and NKP in HO
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#8
i have blacked some windows but to give a house or building a lived in look i add window dressings the stark black says to me that the place is vacant, as for industral buildings i frost the windows but leave a pane or two clear to repersent a replacment window.
jim
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#9
jim currie Wrote:but leave a pane or two clear to repersent a replacment window.
jim

Nice touch. I'll hold onto that idea...
Michael
My primary goal is a large Oahu Railway layout in On3
My secondary interests are modeling the Denver, South Park, & Pacific in On3 and NKP in HO
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