Super's Mod's, Customs, Layout's & Video's 👍

[Super]

I have been wanting to install lights into our Shipping Dock building mod for quite some time and I also wanted to try out Ripley802's method of making window glazing so I thought this would be a good time.

First the windows, I really like the look of how Ripley802 made his coach window glazing frosted with the use of clear plastic and matte finish Scotch tape. I like how the matte finish defuses the harshness of the LED light and gives the windows a glow rather than a hard, bright light inside. I used .010 Clear PVC plastic from my Local Hobby Store for the glazing and although placing the matte finish scotch tape over it gave the desired result I just could not prevent any air bubbles from forming under the tape which showed up when light was behind it. I had to figure out a different way. I thought that using 1500 grit water proof wet sanding emery paper I could smooth out the plastic so no air bubbles would form when putting the scotch tape on. What actually occurred was that using the wet sand created the desired milky finish without the tape and the chance of air bubbles. The result was a perfect light diffuser and looks great, at least I think so.

For the lighting I used two strips of self stick LED strips with a switch installed on the side of the building and powered buy an attached 9volt battery holder installed under the dock deck. Originally I had a flashing yellow LED at the top of each chimney to simulate fire in the furnaces below but I didn't know that when you install a flashing LED it can make all the LED's flash so the lights inside the building flashed too so I removed them. I also planned on outside lighting for the dock but I don't like using LED's out there because they are too bright and running my normally 1.5 volt incandescent lights would be more wiring, another switch and battery pack so I ditched that idea. The light from the windows does a fair job of illuminating the Dock I guess. Lastly the color of the plastic building did a fair job of blocking the light from the light inside but some did translucently filter through so I gave the inside of the building a coat of flat black to stop it. Worked perfectly. I like how the light glows without showing whats on the inside. Shout out to Ripley802, Ucwepn and Tramp for the ideas of glazing. Can't wait to try the glazing and lighting on some coaches.