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[Geoff]

I know this topic has been raised before but I have a porthole problem. I'm making a 1/48 scale steam powered model of the early destroyer HMS Velox. To be truthfull it is "based upon" as due to the steam engine and boiler weights I had to change some of the dimensions a little but it does not detract from the appearance
 
However I have done the external portholes. I tend to plate the ship in plastic card and hole punch out the portholes before fitting then just glue a blue plastic disc for the glass. The problem I have is some of the portholes in the conning tower and stern stearing position need to be clear.
 
I seem to recall there used to be a product that was liquid and you formed it with a cocktail stick effectivley making a bubble which dried clear. Does anyone know if this product is still available?
 
Any other suggestions?
 
Thanks
 
Geoff

[sailorboy61]

I was recently contemplating a similar 'glass' making arrangement and recalled polycarbonate casting resin, the type you used to put bugs in to make paperweights etc.
Available on fleabay in small and large quantities.

[barriew]

I have used RC Modellers Glue (used by the aircraft guys to stick on canopies) to make portholes. I did it before fixing the portholes in the model, so put them on  a non-stick surface and filled them with the glue. I believe you can do as you describe and draw a film of the glue across, but haven't tried it.


Barrie

[hammer]

I use clear bath sealer ( silicone ). No leaks whith this.

[Howard]

Airfix do one called Clear fix put some on a cocktail stick and draw it across the hole,
 Regards Howard.

[NFMike]

I seem to recall there used to be a product that was liquid and you formed it with a cocktail stick effectivley making a bubble which dried clear. Does anyone know if this product is still available?

Microscale Kristal Kleer is probably the stuff.
Just google it - plenty of model suppliers have it I think.

[Norseman]

I have a vague recollection that Ken (maybe) tried it with his Titanic ..... I could well be mistaken though 

Dave

[unbuiltnautilus]

RC Modellers Glue and Clearfix will be the most easily available, Microscale Kristal Kleer may be a bit more difficult to obtain but Mantua Models of Windsor may have it on the shelf. All do a similar job.

[Bob K]

On my HMS Amazon I used brass etched portholes with eyebrows, and for the clear centres used Perspex rod cut into short lengths.  I polished the outer ends before gluing them in place. 
Looks good, allows light to shine out, and has proved very watertight,

[Tug-Kenny RIP]

I have a vague recollection that Ken (maybe) tried it with his Titanic ..... I could well be mistaken though 

Dave

You are correct Dave.

However, I was not impressed with the stuff. It lacks the mechanical strength strength when draped across a gap larger than 5mm.  I would recommend fitting clear plastic as a dead fit to your holes in the conning tower.  Maybe a little cockpit glue around the edge as it doesn't  'fog up'
like some glues.

Hope this helps.

Ken

[Colin Bishop]

Why not just punch out a clear plastic disc and fix it with one of the liquid transparent products mentioned above?
 
Colin

[Geoff]

Thank you all for the advice and product details, which is appreciated. One problem I have is that with the superstructure on this ship a number of portholes are inaccessible from the back and others can be seen from both sides.  This makes the construction a little difficult.
 
I'll try some of the products suggested and will report back.
 
Thanks
 
Geoff

[Geoff]

By way of an update, as Kristal Kleer was not readily available (other than mail order) I tried some other glue. Resin W (blue bottle). this is a white vwaterproof wood adhesive which dries clear. It's available from most hardware shops.
 
It worked fine and whilst white when wet, it dries clear. If absolutly critical it is very very slightly milky/blue but its readily transparent, you can see your finger through it and see light from both sides of the conning tower. Finish is okay, not perfectley flat but quite good enough and obviously cheap!