What is your favorite way to make window glass dirty and transparent?

[friscomike]

Howdy folks,

What is your favorite way to make window glass dirty and transparent?  I've used frosted tape, paint, and canopy glue, but I'd like to try a technique that makes the windows look old and dirty but still transparent.  The specific application is an O-scale engine shed.

Have fun,
mike

[labdad]

Nothing beats real glass.
Microscope slides.
I've used Braydon powders for the "dirty"

MJinTN

[Jim Donovan]

Hi Mike;

Using real glass does produce amazing results, it reflects like only glass can. Using pastels or chalks sparingly can produce the dirty look you want. There are threads here on the foram that show how to cut the microscope slip covers. Working in. O gauge you may need to get the bigger size 22 x 50 mm, they are available on Amazon. Cutting the glass requires a Standard Tool #88 with carbon tip. If you don't want to go though the learning curve on cutting glass clear thin styrene cut to shape works fine, same thing getting it dirty use chalks and if you want the matt finish look use AK matt varnish. It works well at keeping the caulk colors and locks them in place. I use an air brush to brush it on. If you don't want anyone to see through the glass and make it cloudy dirty spray the inside of the 'glass' with dullcote, it works great at cloudying clear plastic or glass. Below is a night photo of basement windows in glass I sprayed with dullcote. The one in the middle was not sprayed so you see the difference.



Good Luck

Jim