Eduard canopy masks?

Eduard masks are great stuff. The new yellow (kabuki?) are like pre cut tamiya tape. It works like a charm. I think they are definitly worth the money. And they save a lot time.

They save a little time, but I don't think they are worth the expense.   I don't see it as that hard to cut some strips of tape and apply them to a canopy.

It's just that a few years ago, when they first came out I used a set for the Tamiya Mitsubishi Dinah and was disappointed with them because they were semi-plastic and wouldn't conform to curved areas of the canopy. Also some of the strips were slightly too small.

Would the newer ones include the Tamiya Mosquito and the AM/Italeri Avenger?

To reply to Bronto's comment, I usually cut and apply my own from Tamiya tape, but with my stash the size it is, the Eduard sets are a potential time saver. I have to confess that I find canopy masking a tedious job.

In my book spurdog they are nothing short of a blessing. Especially for those of us with time constraints. I use them on every aircraft I've built and have a set for each one in my stash. They are easy to use, fast and I have never had a problem with paint leaching underneath. It's simple, is my time worth the investment in these masks? Absolutely.

How do the Eduard masks compare with the EZ masks?  I've used the EZ masks on my last build and was so impressed with them that I ordered several more sets for up-coming builds.

Gary

Those older vinyl pre cut masks where indeed not that good. But the new once are far better, the "behave" the same as tamiya tape. I really like them as they are timesavers. And time is the primary limiting factor for my modelling.  

I love them. They work great. I used to cut the little strips of Tam tape, but the Eduard masks reduce canopy masking time by, oh, 75% or so.. What used to be an annoying task of modeling IMHO - is not just peel, place and move on.

Definately worth it, especially if the canopy frames are odd shaped and curved. That makes it harder for me to trim around with an exacto. If the frames are straight and square or rectangular, I'll save the money and trim it myself. As far as Ez masks, I'm not a big fan of the vinyl because they are less forgiving. If you misplace them the first time they are hard to move around.

That's that settled then. I'll be ordering a couple of sets soon.

Thanks everyone!

Nathan T

 As far as Ez masks, I'm not a big fan of the vinyl because they are less forgiving. If you misplace them the first time they are hard to move around.

I didn't find that to be an issue.  I just followed Chris' suggestion in the directions that come with the masks.  He says to either wet the canopy or the mask itself in soapy water.  It will then slide as a decal does.  It won't adhere completely until dry.  You might try that if you haven't yet?

Gary

i use them all the time because canopy masking is my weak point. they are great and don't leave ant residue due to the tape being low tack.

Spurdog

That's that settled then. I'll be ordering a couple of sets soon.

Thanks everyone!

How do you manage to see the edges of the tape you want to use?

Thanks

Greg

gbaron64

How do you manage to see the edges of the tape you want to use?

Thanks

Greg

 

A light underneath it can be helpful. They also provide diagrams, so you get a general sense of it.

I personally only use them when they come with a Profipack kit, because I don't find canopy masking to be that bad with Tamiya tape, a knife and a flashlight (I just scribe along the frames). But they really are quite nice.

-BD-