Masking&Paint

I buy canopy masks for whatever aircraft I happen to be working on. Place the masks on canopy as directed, airbrush the canopy frames with zinc chromate first, let dry then airbrush the color of fuselage or whatever on top of the zinc chromate. The zinc chromate will match the cockpit interior from the inside.

I usually mask off either the horizontal or vertical frames, paint them with a coat of future to seal the tape, and after drying paint as Black Sheep said.  When dry, I peel the tape off and repeat the process on the other lines.

Jim  

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

I buy canopy masks for whatever aircraft I happen to be working on. Place the masks on canopy as directed, airbrush the canopy frames with zinc chromate first, let dry then airbrush the color of fuselage or whatever on top of the zinc chromate. The zinc chromate will match the cockpit interior from the inside.

I've never used a canopy mask, which is not boasting on my part but letting you know how long it's been since I built something with a canopy on it. Back then I used Micro-Mask, which paints on with a brush and then can be trimmed when dry.

But yeah, applying the chromate or matching interior color to the outside frames, letting it dry then painting the exterior color (even bare metal) over it is a great method.

I have heard of Micro Mask but never used it. I should have grabbed a bottle or 2 to try it before my favorite LHS closed down 3 years ago. 

fox

I usually mask off either the horizontal or vertical frames, paint them with a coat of future to seal the tape, and after drying paint as Black Sheep said.  When dry, I peel the tape off and repeat the process on the other lines.

Jim  

 

I also use this method on complex greenhouses such as an SBD or T-6.  Be sure to check out the Painting and Airbrushing forum, down in the Tools and Techniques section of these forums (it is down below the Modeling Subjects section).  Canopy masking has been a frequent thread in that forum.

I like to just place pieces of Tamiya masking tape over the canopy, burnish the edges down along the frame rails using a tooth pick, then very carefully cut along the frame with a brand new exacto knife, peel off the tape covering the frame rails and voila! Perfect fully masked canopy. Just paint accordingly. I agree with the others as far as painting the interior color first followed by the airframe color.

If it's 1/72nd scale, or smaller don't worry about painting the inside of the canopy - no one's going to see it any way.  I just use Scotch brand tape. I mask a little bit of the canopy at a time until I have every bit completely painted. I soak it in water afterwards to remove the tape without damage. Simple Dimple!

~ Cobra Chris

Cobra 427

If it's 1/72nd scale, or smaller don't worry about painting the inside of the canopy - no one's going to see it any way.  ....

~ Cobra Chris

 

Even 1:72, once I have it masked, it is easy enough to put on two coats by brush, so I brush on the inside color first, then the outside.  Now, the inside color does appear glossy, whereas it should be flat, but with that small scale that is not real noticable.