first airplane need a little help

Threre are several methods that are used by a number of modellers. You can apply scotch tape to the canopy, trim carefully around the framing and remove the tape covering the framework and paint over that. You might also try some of the liquid masking agents that are commercially available to cover the canopy glass. Finally, you may want to use decal material, carefully trimmed, to apply over the framework. Just a few suggestions. Hope this helps. - Ed

Hey CTrill,
Do ya have a Snickers???. I use a liquid mask when I do my canopies.
You can either apply it w/ a medium or fine brush. I generally start at a center point on the canopy and work my way down towards the frame work.
General rule of thumb is that you have a lil thicker coat because it is easier to get off(well at least for me).
When I tried a thinner coat, it took me longer to peel off(dont get nervous).
After you have applied it and let it sit for a day or so, now you can paint.
To remove the mask, just use a sharppened tooth pick and start at one corner. Once you have a bite, the rest will come off.
If by chance there is some left, you can always use some tape to remove the rest.
I used this method on my Me262 and costs around $2 a bottle.
Flaps up, Mike

Hey CTrill !!

I to, made the leap from TreadHed to Flyboy...a bit of a difference, eh?

I use a combo of the aforementioned techniques. I use Tamiya making tape to get a nice sharp line, then use Microscale liquid mask to fill in the area between the tape. I like the way this works, because the tape pulls off the liquid mask when I unmask. Of course, there are times that just a couple of coats of liquid mask will do and then others, when some tape will do.
Experiment, and use the technique that you feel comfortable with.

Take care,
DeP

Here's another type of liquid mask if your on a tight budget or are in a hurry
white glue
water
a drop or 2 of liquid soap

thin glue with a couple of drops of water and add a drop or 2 of liquid soap. I use this method when I run out of liquid masking agent

I never use any kind of masking to paint a canopy. I paint them freehand.
No, I'm not an artistic genius. I just figured if I could paint a fine line with a liquid
mask and clean up any mistakes with a toothpick or plastic chisel, I could do the same with paint on the canopy frame. For a real sharp line, I very lightly score
around the frame with a new #11 blade and get out the toothpick. I make plastic chisels out of clear sprue...it seems a little harder than the colored sprue.
Magnifying glasses make it easier, too.
Ray

i tried the scotch tape method, and the freehand method, and neither worked for me. Liquid mask, however, has been a blessing. It works like a charm! I think i'll give your whiteglue mix a try though wibhi2. That's a great tip!

I've never tried liquid mask before. How do those work? Do you need a template to apply it? I'm think you do...for the canopies...

Those 1/48 Hasegawa Japanese canopies are a pain...

My suggestion is that you use liquid mask. I still remember the first time I tried to paint a canopy freehand...