Transparency
Acetate Sheets
REVIEW BY:
Cuong Phan
Adding details
on a model requires careful planning, research, skills, and
lots of time. Some modeler can add realism to the Titanic
by adding transparent acetate sheet on the back or inside
of the model. Many modelers may opt to use the Krystal Klear
solution to fill in windows, glass, or portholes of the ship,
but I decided to use transparent acetate sheets. The Krystal
Klear solution is a good supplement for such project, but
gives you a warped look on the windows, portholes, etc. The
acetate sheets gives a better result because the surface is
flatter and looks more realistic…after all modeling is
to be realistic as possible.
Acetate sheets
are fairly cheap to buy and you can obtain them by purchasing
them from your local office supply shop. These acetate sheets
are usually used with overhead projectors or transparent printing,
etc. I didn’t have to purchase mine because I found a
whole packet in the trash bin in my physics teacher’s
classroom. I asked him if I could have it and off I go with
it.
Extensive research
on where glass windows and portholes on the Titanic are needed.
Some important sections are the square promenade deck windows,
portholes, bridge section, windows on the Boat Deck (officer’s
quarter), skylights, etc. To start out, the acetate sheets
are cut into strips or individual size of the windows (however
you may like it) and then glued to the inside or back of the
section. Important: Do not glue directly on the acetate sheet.
Glue only on the back of the model section you wish to apply
the acetate to.
WARNING: DO NOT
USE SUPER GLUE or any gluing substance with CYANOACRYLATE.
This is critical because cyanoacrylate ester will dry and
fog up the acetate sheets when you glue them. Results would
look like this.
It is best to
use the normal gluing solution such as Testors non-toxic liquid
cement glue for plastic models. This is clean and easier to
work with because it doesn’t dry right away and will
not fog.
Oh yeah, don’t
forget to paint the section before adding the acetate sheet.
If you paint later, you might paint on the acetate and that
will look awful. There are some parts that I regret and wish
I could have done better or knew better.
After you have
done filling everything with the acetate sheets, you will
be happy you did it. When the light hits the surface of the
model just right at the perfect angle, the Titanic is alive!
Therefore, plan
ahead. Be patience. Good luck!
PREVIOUS
REVIEW | NEXT REVIEW
To
submit a review for this model , please email
them to us and we will be happy to place them here
