Coloring bulbs (Glass paint or dye)

Hi C.W.,

  I know some folks have had good results with magic markers.

  Tom 

I use nail polish if i can find the right color.  Works great! Brush included!

I use nail polish if i can find the right color.  Works great! Brush included!

Thank you for the replies.
Nail polish is a very old school solution.
I am fairly certain this technique is described in some of the model railroading books I read as a kid.
I'd guess the polish formulas are quite different today.

C W Burfle posted:

The company I had bookmarked for glass paints to color light bulbs is closing up shop. Anybody have a source for glass paint or dye?
If so, please let me know which colors you use.

There is a metal layout fluid made by a company called Dykem.  Should be available from a local industrial supplier.  Usually blue, it is available is other colors.

Also you can buy bottled metallic paint and leave the silver colorant settle to the bottom.  Now you have a nice robust transparent paint.

Lou N

I second the nail polish works great.

C W Burfle posted:

I use nail polish if i can find the right color.  Works great! Brush included!

Thank you for the replies.
Nail polish is a very old school solution.
I am fairly certain this technique is described in some of the model railroading books I read as a kid.
I'd guess the polish formulas are quite different today.

Just because it might be old school, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. Lots of old school trains are still running today while the new ones are sitting on the workbench or in the trash!   Nothing wrong with tried-and-true.  Works for me! Not sure about problems with today's formulas but I've got fairly recent ones that I've used on bulbs and you would never be able to tell the difference from The originals!   If it ain't broke don't fix it!😁

Train Nut posted:

C W Burfle posted:

I use nail polish if i can find the right color.  Works great! Brush included!

Thank you for the replies.
Nail polish is a very old school solution.
I am fairly certain this technique is described in some of the model railroading books I read as a kid.
I'd guess the polish formulas are quite different today.

Just because it might be old school, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. Lots of old school trains are still running today while the new ones are sitting on the workbench or in the trash!   Nothing wrong with tried-and-true.  Works for me! Not sure about problems with today's formulas but I've got fairly recent ones that I've used on bulbs and you would never be able to tell the difference from The originals!   If it ain't broke don't fix it!😁

Any suggestions on any nail polish brands or is the cheapest my wife can find, OK?

I can see our conversation now..."Oh honey, I need some red and green nail polish as I am planning on having a wild weekend!" 

Tom 

Tamiya makes a line of transparent paints that are perfect for light bulbs.  They are: Acrylic X-23 Clear Blue, Acrylic X-24 Clear Yellow, Acrylic X-25 Clear Green, Acrylic X-26 Clear Orange and Acrylic X-27 Clear Red.

The X-26 Clear Orange is also perfect for transforming bluish-white "cool white" LEDs into a slightly yellowish "warm white" color.

Just because it might be old school, doesn't mean there's anything wrong with it. Lots of old school trains are still running today while the new ones are sitting on the workbench or in the trash!   Nothing wrong with tried-and-true.  Works for me! Not sure about problems with today's formulas but I've got fairly recent ones that I've used on bulbs and you would never be able to tell the difference from The originals!   If it ain't broke don't fix it!

Gee, did I say there was something wrong with it?

I have been using Testors Flat Red and Flat yellow, two light coats.  In the spray cans, I haven't had any luck with greens, usually come out to dark and thick.  Cured that by going to LED's....

Marty

Just go to any art supply store either in person or online and you will find a large selection of paint to use on glass.

Jim