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True details "Fast Frames"

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  • Member since
    February 2012
True details "Fast Frames"
Posted by orionpete@aol.com on Monday, August 18, 2014 2:05 PM
Hi My name is Pete and I've been building models for over 50 yrs. I love the hobby. I'm building a Revel /Monogram 1/48 B-29 . The cockpit glass is ready to go on and I want to know has anyone ever used Fast Frames ? Are they good and are they easy to put on. Thanks Pete
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: AandF in the Badger State
Posted by checkmateking02 on Monday, August 18, 2014 2:09 PM

I haven't even heard of them; I'll have to look them up.

 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Green Bay, WI USA
Posted by echolmberg on Monday, August 18, 2014 3:26 PM

Hi Pete!

I've used them a couple of times a long time ago.  The reason it was a long time ago is because I can't say I was overly thrilled with them.  On the one hand, I can see great potential in them.  I think, as a concept, they're pretty neat.  You peel them off the backing, dip them in soapy water, apply it to the canopy and then let it dry.  Voila!  Instant framework.  

However, on the downside, you're not exactly applying decal-type material.  The material is like a plastic sticker (for lack of a better term) and it will sit on top of the raised frame detail that is molded onto the clear plastic part.  So if your clear plastic frame has any sort of detail on it, the Fast Frame will merely rest on top of it and it's sort of two-dimensional.  I can't help but wonder if it would work out so much better if you actually sanded off the raised frame detail from the B-29 canopy and then apply the Fast Frames.  I can't say for certain that would actually work, but I do wonder.

The last time I used them, I applied a Fast Frame onto my Accurate Miniatures P-51C.  To its credit, it's been about 12 or 13 years and the frame has NOT lifted off.  I'm kind of surprised by that.

So, in my opinion, there's the good and the bad of it.  The B-29 has gobs of framing so I don't blame you for considering the Fast Frames.  Personally, I squeeze a bunch of white glue into something like a plastic soda bottle cap.  I add a drop of water (or two drops max), a small drop of liquid dishwashing soap and mix them all together.  I then take a small paint brush and brush on a thick coat onto each window pane.  After all the panes have been covered and the glue has dried, I then paint the framing.  When the paint is dry, I go back with a wooden toothpick and pick off each rectangle of the glue mask.

One word of caution if you try this route though.  Don't let the dried glue sit for more than a day or two before you start to paint.  If left on for several days, the glue may start to shrink and the paint will bleed under.  I usually mask at night and then paint the following day.

I hope this has helped!

Eric

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: MN
Posted by Nathan T on Monday, August 18, 2014 3:31 PM

These were out in the days before Eduard masks. They are now obsolete thanks to Eduard. I would skip the fast frames all together and get an Eduard Mask set.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, August 19, 2014 7:20 AM

I'm with Nathan- the Eduard masks always worked better for me.

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Piscataway, NJ!
Posted by wing_nut on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 6:46 AM

Just in case you need 4 peoples opinion to convince you I will say just this...  Listen to the 1st 3 guys.

Marc  

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