Masking with Bare Metal Foil

Check your local hardware store or lumberyard for a product labeled Goo-Gone. It's a citrus based cleaner which removes tape residual very nicely and comes in a plastic squeeze bottle. (Caution! there is another liquid remover out there called Goo-Off that comes in a metal can. DO NOT use it on your models - It will melt the model quicker than you can say "Oh Crap"!!! - Would you care to guess how I know this?)

In the past I have used Bare Metal foil quite a lot with very few problems and I found it easier to apply than tape, however I have recently had similar problems to you. I recently built a Kawasaki Ki61 to enter in the IPMS model expo in Melbourne (Melbourne Australia, not Florida).

The canopy was one of the last parts I painted just days before entries were due and, like you, I experienced a lot of residual adhesive after removing the foil from the clear parts (to which I had given a base coat of 'Super Stride' vinyl floor polish). I have previously found a product called 'De-Solv-It' to work quite well (I don't know if it would be available in the U.S.). It is non toxic and apparently has a citrus base. I find one of those small sponge applicators used for applying mascara works well to apply it. I then quickly wash it off to avoid it affecting the paint work.

Unfortunately, this time I had used Alcad for the external airframe colour and De-Solv-It did just that in a number of places and very quickly.

So, I'm afraid I am not much help and would also love to find a foolproof method for masking canopies when things like precut masks are not available.

Incidentally, I wonder if the age of the Bare Metal foil has any bearing on the amount of residue left behind? I have only experienced major problems recently after not having made a model for a few years and using foil that would have to be at least 5, possibly 10 years old.

I use pre-cut masks whenever I can get my heads on then ...but mainly I use tamiya tape.  I cut them in thin slices and frame in along the canopy frames (see mustang GB for how it should look ).then I brush in the middle. .makeing sure to overlap the tap with liquid masking . Ps apply masking liquid in two or three coats .

5-high 

I also used BareMetal Foil for masking a canopy...once.  Oy vey!  I removed the sticky mess it left with GooGone, after pledging to never use that again.  Tamiya tape or pre-cut masks only for me now!  ymmv...(but I doubt it.)

Gary

I used Bare Metal Foil for masking ONCE. Never again! Very hard to remove. Stick with Tamiya tape - or even Frog Painters Tape (yellow or green) from Walmart. Virtually zero residue once tape is off.