tinting translucent plastic

[Jay]

Good evening!

I'm trying to paint a 1/8th scale Tali (from Mass Effect). She's got a clear plastic face cover. In the game it's tinted purple.

I had some Army Painter quickshade purple tone ink. It worked when brushed on in many thin layers but it's blotchy.

Any suggestions on how to get a nice smooth transparent purple?

 

Thanks!

[BLZeebub]

Lots of very, VERY thin layers, each drying completely, should do the trick.  If it's still blotchy you may need more coats.  Might even finish with a coat of gloss sealer.

[Jay]

As it is now it's about as opaque as I would like it. I'll have to wipe off what I've got and try again.

[Glitterwolf]

Indeed, glazes instead of layers.

 

Better to have to re-apply several glazes than to much in one go.

[ctsteel]

If you have access to an airbrush that ought to allow a single stroke free tint for which you can build up layers until dark enough

[Egg of Coot]

I regularly use inks, and sometimes food coloring, mixed with Future floor polish (now called Pledge with Future Shine due to mergers) to tint model aircraft canopies.  Simply mix, dip the plastic, let most of the excess mixture run off onto a paper towel, and then air dry.  Additional dips will deepen the tint.

 

The Egg

Edited April 27, 2017 by Egg of Coot

[Jay]

3 hours ago, Egg of Coot said:

I regularly use inks, and sometimes food coloring, mixed with Future floor polish (now called Pledge with Future Shine due to mergers) to tint model aircraft canopies.  Simply mix, dip the plastic, let most of the excess mixture run off onto a paper towel, and then air dry.  Additional dips will deepen the tint.

 

The Egg

 

That sounds way too easy! :)