how do you suggest to paint a mirror on a ww2 german truck? silver?
1 Like
You can research the aftermarket items for the kit on Scalemates. Many kits have mirror you can apply.
OR…
You can get ultra thin silver mylar and cut them out, for practically nothing.
Looks just as good as the Molotov pen.
3 Likes
What @18bravo said. You can buy silver (and colored for viewports) mylar streamers at the dollar store for…wait for it…a dollar! You will get a lifetime supply of mirror material.
2 Likes
thanks
1 Like
I use Molotov chrome pens…
1 Like
Around here I am claiming false advertisement at the Dollar Store, Dollar General, Dollar Tree. The base price now is $1.25. they need to change the names! 
2 Likes
I use inside of the chocolate foil. Snickers or something. Excellent effect
1 Like
Actually it’s the mini ones - like the Crackle and dark chocolate. They have the inner foil and the outer paper sleeve.
1 Like
how do you cut the perfect circle to fit?
1 Like
A punch and die set would work, provided you’ve got a punch in it that’s about the same size as the mirror, of course.
1 Like
Or a circle cutter like above or like this…
1 Like
Call me silly, but I don’t think you’ll get a 1/35 mirror out of that circle cutter. Its base is larger in diameter than the mirror you need.
I use punches for everything. For foil, just put it on top of something a little sturdier to back it up.
No punch set? In some cases you can luck out and use a plain paper punch - they come in different sizes at Hobby Lobby.
Another option - bare metal foil. (which you can actually make yourself) If there’s a lip on your mirror, and there ususally is - just burnish a slightly larger foil onto the piece. Use a brand new no. 11 blace to remove excess using the lip as a guide.
2 Likes
What is this machine called?
1 Like
One version comes under the name of “Olfa Cutter”.
1 Like
DSPIAE MT-CL MT-C Stepless Adjustment Circular Cutter
2 Likes
I do have one, & it is very fiddly to get perfect circles under 5-10mm, i prefer punches, IF I have them in that size
3 Likes
Generally speaking, not all mirrors are circular. They can also be square, or rectangular, with rounded corners, or even oddly shaped (mostly civilian vehicles). I used to use Molotov pens - they’re excellent when new, but eventually (after a couple of years) lose their metallic reflectivity and dry a dull gray. Using Mylar from the inside of a candy wrapper, or bag of chips (wash first), with 18bravo’s method of using a sharp blade to trim works really well.
1 Like
I agree the mylar idea works well, though fiddley with which to work. Fine for in cab mirrors, but I am asking, how often would a vehicle in the field want to have a bright shiney object that can reflect light for miles on the vehicle, or would they let it be covered with dust. In North Africa, they would smear oil or petrol on the windshield/windscreen except for a thin slit from which to see out to avoid having the sun reflect off of the glass and indicate a target. The LRDG removed the windscreens from their Ford and Chevy vehicles to avoid this problem. Rommel’s ADC was killed when the Mammoth backed up over him. I’m wondering if a mirror that is dingy and not very reflective would be more realistic???
3 Likes