has anyone ever thought to use UV LEDs in their models and painted the transparent parts a UV reactive color the glowing part is supposed to be (eg, the blue nacelle, paint UV reactive blue, the impulse engine UV reactive orange/red etc)?

has anyone ever thought to use UV LEDs in their models and painted the transparent parts a UV reactive color the glowing part is supposed to be (eg, the blue nacelle, paint UV reactive blue, the impulse engine UV reactive orange/red etc)?

I've seen it done a couple of times but there are some side effects to consider with this type of lighting.

UV paints effect fades with time and exposure to sunlight and air and moisture. Wildfire was telling customers using their paints that in areas with exposure to sunlight they would need to repaint the uv areas in as little as six months.

And you have to ask what the uv will do to the plastic/ resin the kit is made of.

I've got a pair of ccfl uv' s waiting for my Refit, but I did not think of reactive paint as well. It would have to be done super-thin so the light would still shine through, but I guess that would work. I wonder how much effect it would add. Interesting!

I've used Uv leds with mixed results.

Here's a web page I did once upon a time showing it... flying fish build (http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/t/steveplj2/modeltech/ff/thebuild.htm)

Please disregard the driver. I don't do figures.

You can contrast the Uv led in the cabin with the white LED "headlights".
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/t/steveplj2/modeltech/ff/thebuild_files/image021.jpg

ooo ooo I almost forgot, I used them for the nuclear propulsion on a "real" flying sub (butted up against the inboard end of the clear acrylic rods).

They offer a spooky glow that's captured on digital camera in low light. I think it's something with the Uv that makes it difficult to for the eye to focus that makes it seem like it's glowing. Dunno what excuse the camera has.

They might damage eyes if you stare at them head on for too long. not sure but don't try it at home.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/t/steveplj/fs/b30.jpg

with normal room light it's not nearly as dramatic...

http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/t/steveplj/fs/b31.jpg

That's...what's the word?

friggin' AWESOME!

I'd put that in my low rider!

How about painting the light panels on the J2 bulkheads with yellow or white reactive paint and let the UV LEDs liight them.

How about painting the light panels on the J2 bulkheads with yellow or white reactive paint and let the UV LEDs liight them.

That would be an excellent application...

Still looks wicked! :thumbsup::thumbsup: rr

I use UV paints for starship windows when there is no chance of struing FiberOptics (like the Timeslip TOS Galactica).
It also works for cockpit instruments when you can tuck the LED in behind the pilot.

Steve. the Flying Fish article is great!
What a pretty looking ship!..
You did fine on the pilot. He looks 'kinda like Eddie Izzard.

Thank you for the look!

Steve

I think he looks a bit like Meatloaf after Rocky had at him with an ax.

I can teach anybody to paint figures,...electronical thingies? not so much, we can trade...
here'a shot of Rita I just threw the tape on so we don't upset the upset-able
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/stev123/DSCF0298.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v351/stev123/DSCF0300.jpg

Little people I can do little lights,..well that's why I used christmas leds

Steve

why is she standing on an electrical thingy in scuba gear?

That is my slot car track. (Second bedroom)
Halogen lighting...easy macro-shots..but that one was blurry...I shot it from the hip...lol

A friend of mine (who's into electronics) told me that using uv leds may interact with the plastic. Now I am not sure if he means plastic that is not painted.

My company makes signs from a lot of different materials including styrene plastic. It does yellow and get brittle when exposed to the sun over a period of time- mostly UV rays. It is not affected in areas blocked by paint/ink. The changes happen slowly and I seriously doubt a UV LED will cause much change- it is much lower that sunlight. If the UV-LED was on for 12 hours a day for a month or so you might see something, but not with normal use.

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