Thank you for purchasing the Laserfire Creations window inserts kit for the Polar Lights 1/350 Refit/A Enterprise. Inside the box you’ll find 12 bags containing the various inserts. Each bag is labeled according to the part of the model they’re to be used on. There are a number of extra smaller inserts included in each bag to replace any that fly across the room, or are consumed by your local carpet monster. Please contact us if any parts are missing or damaged. Here’s the breakdown:

• VIP lounge (1 piece)
• B/C Decks (12 pieces: 2 oblong inserts and 10 round)
• Saucer rim round inserts (64 pieces)
• Saucer rim oblong inserts (28 pieces)
• Rec deck (two pieces)
• Saucer bottom (24 pieces)
• Dorsal (36 pieces)
• Secondary hull round (40 pieces)
• Secondary hull oblong (20 pieces)
• Secondary hull elliptical (6 pieces)
• Arboretum (2 pieces)
• Fantail (9 pieces)

Start by examining the small inserts. You will notice they are slightly tapered. This is due to expansion of the laser beam beyond its focus point as it cuts through the material. However, this works to your advantage when fitting the inserts. Press the insert into the hole (small side first) from the outside of the hull until it’s snug in its hole. Glue in place from the back side using either thin CA, or a solvent glue that’s compatible with both styrene and acrylic. We suggest using a small needle applicator to apply. Once the glue is cured, and the windows are secure, you can sand the inserts to shape until flush with the hull surface using progressively finer grades of sandpaper. We suggest starting with 220, then 400, then 800 or 1000. You can then polish the windows up to full transparency and clarity using a polishing system such as micromesh, or a plastic polish such as NOVUS. In some cases, it may be preferable to leave some windows slightly frosted for better light diffusion. When polished to full transparency, you’ll be able to see everything behind them with crystal clear clarity….lights, wiring, duct tape, everything.

You may also wish to sand and polish the inserts on the inside as well to make them thinner, and prevent them from interfering with anything inside.
The “secondary hull elliptical inserts” are intended to help fill the oddly shaped holes on the lower secondary hull. Unfortunately some filling and sanding may be required around these inserts once installed to make them completely seamless.
The fantail inserts are made with translucent red acrylic, and will glow quite nicely with a bright LED behind them. Once again, some puttying and sanding may be required for a perfect, seamless fit.

Turning our attention to the larger inserts, (VIP, rec deck and arboretum), you’ll notice they consist of one piece without frames to separate the individual window “panes”. Frames can be created either by using one of the photo-etch sets commonly available on the market, or by applying masks to the individual windows, then painting the frames on. We’ve used the latter technique with excellent results.

Due to variability between individual model kits, the larger inserts may require some shaping for a proper fit. Once they are inserted, work slowly, and carefully sand them to the proper shape. When done properly, they should blend with the hull contours seamlessly.

The arboretum inserts are designed to be installed from the inside, with the flanges acting as the gluing surface. Be sure to check the fit of the arboretum itself with the windows before making anything permanent. It may be necessary to sand or file the mounting flange, or the interior side of the windows, to avoid interference. And, once again, you will then need to sand/shape/polish the exterior of the insert to match the shape of the hull.

That’s essentially all there is to it. If you need tech support, replacement parts, have ideas for improvements, we’d love to hear from you!
We also love to see pictures of completed models using our products. Thanks!