Generic light buckets for lexan bodies?

[GregM 1109]

I'm almost done with my M-03 Mini Cooper S 2006 (EDIT: Tamiya #58400) build. When I decorated the bodyshell with decals, I found out that I was not that satisfied with the supplied decals for the headlights. From my BMW Z4 build, I'm spoiled by clear headlights and LED light buckets, which give the car a nice and convincing look.

So I aim for
1. Removing the lexan paint from the head and rear light sections using either Carson Lexan Paint Killer or Methoxypropanol PM. Tried that before to correct painting errors, worked good for me.
2. Removing the front headlight decals carefully with a hobby knive, leaving on the contour decals. I'll also leave on the rear light decals.
3. Finding light buckets in the right sizes and adapt them to fit in the bodyshell.
4. Getting LEDs and building either permanently powered lights with current limiting resistors or even use a light unit for some fancy functions.


It is step number 3 that makes me wonder:

- Has anyone tried that before?
- Are there any light buckets that you can recommend?
- Or are there other methods to build DIY buckets with styrene sheet and aluminium foil, I guess?

[TWINSET 1793]

In the past I've used Polymorph and made my own, either painted silver or with a tin-foil coating

Takes a bit of work to get the buckets to fit, but it's doable

[ChrisRx718 4470]

As above, can be DIY'd - the alternative is to source some from a different model and make them fit. My Mini Cooper M03 has light buckets originally destined for a Nismo Z-Tune rear end. Cut-down and made to fit, worked well.

[GregM 1109]

Many thanks for your suggestions! I've never heard of polymorph before, looks interesting. I'll see if I can get some locally.

Chris, do you have fitted the Nismo Z Tune rear light buckets to the 58400 Mini or was it a different body? Photos would be appreciated.

[InsaneJim69 1584]

Yokomo do loads of different light buckets for their drift bodies, along with wipers, mirrors exhausts etc etc. Most of then are fairly well detailed too

James

[AndyForbes 63]

The Mini Coupe has light buckets, can you not use them? I believe its the same generation of Mini.

http://www.modellbau-seidel.de/index.php?firma=Tamiya&best=1835375

You just need to spray them with PS48 and back with Black.

Bodyset manual is here if you want to look.

http://www.tamiyausa.com/items/radio-control-parts-70/body-set-m-chassis-71120/rc-body-set-mini-jcw-coupe-51489

[Incredible_Serious 107]

I'm going to try something a little different... I wear disposable contact lenses, and they come in a small sealed package that consists of a semi-spherical tray with a thick aluminium foil seal.

The circular section is bang on 20mm in diameter and about 7mm in depth, and the plastic backing part is 41mm by 29mm.

The foil cover is quite malleable, and I'm thinking it can be fit and formed into the circular area quite easily, to form a reflective bowl.

I'm hoping that these will work well, and maybe can be heated to modify their shape. I have heaps of spares, as I get a new pair of them every time I put on a new pair of contacts.... so I'll be trying a few different ideas.

Wish me luck!

Alex

[GregM 1109]

The Mini Coupe has light buckets, can you not use them? I believe its the same generation of Mini.

http://www.modellbau-seidel.de/index.php?firma=Tamiya&best=1835375

You just need to spray them with PS48 and back with Black.

Bodyset manual is here if you want to look.

http://www.tamiyausa.com/items/radio-control-parts-70/body-set-m-chassis-71120/rc-body-set-mini-jcw-coupe-51489

Awesome! They look like they'll be spot on. I didn't know there was a modern Mini from Tamiya with light buckets. It's interesting to see that the buckets are made out of lexan this time, and not the usual chrome plated styrene. I'll give them a try.

EDIT: It looks like they're not made to accept LEDs for lighting features. Well, even if I couldn't add LEDs to the car, these buckets would still make the car look nicer than with the stock front light decals. I will buy them anyway and see if I can somehow mount LEDs to them as a bonus, LED mounts #9005859 or similar could be helpful.

.

To all: Thank you so much for your replies! You are great! This I why I like TC so much, there are always friendly helpful people around.

[WillyChang 1814]

Many of the mini bodies don't have light cups because there's not enough room behind without fouling the tyre

I'm going to try something a little different... I wear disposable contact lenses, and they come in a small sealed package that consists of a semi-spherical tray with a thick aluminium foil seal. The circular section is bang on 20mm in diameter and about 7mm in depth, and the plastic backing part is 41mm by 29mm.

why not just cut out the dome & trim to fit as the light reflector? Silver it with BareMetalFoil.

ps lmk what contacts those are & I'll ask how much Costco sells them for

[GregM 1109]

Many of the mini bodies don't have light cups because there's not enough room behind without fouling the tyre

Makes sense!

In that case, I could give those tiny surface mounted LEDs a try and glue them directly behind or inside the cup/bucket. Conrad Electronic sells them pre-wired with several colours to choose from.