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Clear Plastic

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Southern California, USA
Posted by ABARNE on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 2:27 PM
As a potentially easier alternative to masking and painting the entire canopy in one shot, you can do a few frames at a time. Cut some good tape (Tamiya Yellow or 3-M blue into narrow strips, and mask off the vertical frames, and paint them. Then mask the horizonal frames and paint them. Maybe there are a few angled frames, particularly on the windscreen portion, that need to be painted, so mask and paint those and you're done.

The process is a bit tedious, but the masking is a lot easier. When using this method, it is a good idea to spray you flat overcoat as you go, because it might slightly change the paint color, which you'll want to match the rest of the aircraft.

As far as fixing mistakes and modifying clear parts, you'd be surprised what youl can do with a fingernail polishing stick and Future floor finish. You can pick up a polishing stick in the beauty supply section of your local drugstore. They have three different surfaces of progressively finer grits.

So if you have a mistake or simply need to alter the canopy in any way, use your normal cutting and shaping methods and finish with sanding with 600 grit wet sanding. Then use the polishing stick, and progress through its three surfaces in order. Finally paint the surface with Future floor finish, and set the canopy aside. After the Future dries, you won't be able to tell that anything was done.
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 30, 2005 8:52 AM
Maddafinga's advice is the best possible - experiment with different techniques and use the one that suits you. Personally I use the thin tape strips either alone on in combination with liquid mask (infill the centre of the clear panel). The expression that if many ways exist of doing the same job none of them are perfect holds true here. If you go the tape route be prepared to spend quite a while cutting and burnishing. You can now buy canopy masks for specific kits from various aftermarket manufacturers and this sounds like a great time saver though I have never used them myself. Welcome to THE best hobby!
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Posted by maddafinga on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 8:15 PM
Well, there is and there is not. You can fix small mistakes, but not big ones very easily. I like to paint mine freehand, or to mask with bare metal foil if I don't do them by hand. You can fix mistakes by lightly scraping them off with a toothpick if your'e really careful. A lot of guys use liquid mask, lots more use thin strips of masking tape laid down carefully and burnished. There are just about as many techniques as there are modelers. Experiment on old canopies and see what you like best.
Madda Trifles make perfection, but perfection is no trifle. -- Leonardo Da Vinci Tact is for those who lack the wit for sarcasm.--maddafinga
  • Member since
    March 2005
  • From: Georgia
Clear Plastic
Posted by gpal on Tuesday, March 29, 2005 7:58 PM
Hello,
I just purchased an aircraft model that involves painting the frame around the canopy which is clear plastic. Any tips on painting such fine lines on the clear plastic? I guess if you mess up theres no going back to fix is there?
Thanks, George
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