Transparent paint recommendations for backlit props/signs

[takaaaa]

Greetings,
Im looking for recommendations for transparent airbrush paints that can mimic backlit transparent vinyl signs. Kind of like vinyl sings that look opaque when not backlit but transparent when backlit. I would go with transparent vinyl but I have some projects that have compound curves or need blending of colors.
I have found paint specifically made for backlit vinyl signs but they only sell by the gallon.
I found common transparent/clear paints like tamiya, mr.color, and createx tends to be too transparent.
Hmmm maybe a very light coat of white, then transparent paint? I have backlit plain white paints before with somewhat success.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[lmgill]

You are looking for a translucent result.
Transparent- transmits image
Translucent transmits light but not image
Opaque transmits neither.
"glass frosting" paint will give you a translucent finish.
Steel wool on transparent plastic will give a nice translucent finish as well.
A thinned white would give you a better un-backlit color.
Depending on the brightness of you back light, a straight white may work fine.

 

[JPH]

So Strong makes pigments for epoxy resins that you can mix into resins like XTC and then apply to a sign, transparent object, whatever.

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You control how much light gets through by adding thin layers. It takes time, but you can really control your final product.

 

[AJLoCascio]

We use Vitrea & Vitreal you can get at blick. They work pretty great for replicating a sort of stained glass effect

 

[Collektor]

Vallejo makes some transparent paints that can be shot through an airbrush. I've never tried it for backlighting myself. I did shoot some of the stuff over a silver chrome and it gave it a candy coat sort of finish, so it may work for your application. I'd start by spraying a thin coat then checking to see how the light is transmitting through it before adding more coats.

 

[kruleworld]

Tamiya have 5 transparent colors in acrylic that you can brush or airbrush on. may be an expensive route though.
it sounds like you want a translucent face (white when off), then a color filter, then the source light. May i suggest cellophane in this application?