I hate canopies...

I "cheat" and use precut Black Magic masks whenever I can. I figure the expense ($5-8 per set) is worth the saved time, energy, blood, sweat, tears (oh yes, there have been those) and thrown parts. When I can't get them, I use strips of masking tape and use Swanny's method:
http://www.swannysmodels.com/Canopies.html

Me too... I just lost the canopy for my 1/48 Corsair I spent 1 year building. :(

pseudodigm: I'm with you. I use EZ-masks and they are great. Even a stumblebum like me can get first rate results using these - even the first time I tried them.
http://www.ezmasks.com/index.html

Rich

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bgrigg Build WWI aircraft, no canopies!

Hehhahaha, Winnar!

Build WWI aircraft, no canopies!

I used to use Tamiya tape and Maskol all the time, till I stumbled onto BMF masking, and now Foil is all I use.
I find it to be excellent adhesion, great for curves, has absolutely no bleed under, and leaves a crisp paint line after removal.
Yes it is a little high in price, but I have used barely 1/8th of a sheet, and have done 12 models with it.
Mind you I only use Foil for canopies, and Tamiya tape for everything else.
It really is a case of trying it out for yourself, like most things in modeling.

I've used Model Master tape with great results, as well as Tamiya tape and Bare Metal Foil (a bit expensive but it gives the best results)

The leader based on price and outcome? you guessed it... Tamiya tape... it gets around the curved braces on the canopy like a champ and doesn't cost near as much as BMF.

On a side note though I have run across canopies that HAD to be done in Bare Metal Foil as the brace lines were recessed and many and BMF will fit itself into the smallest groove...

for your standard canopy though, it is Tamiya all the way!

QUOTE: Originally posted by CrypticModel How about Maskol???????????

Maskol is widely used for canopies but often just to fill in the centre of panels, the actual edge to the framing being masked with yep Tamiya tape! Scott has put you on the right track there and like him I use no other type of tape. If you try to paint the maskol on with a paintbrush and then spray the framing your edge will still only be as straight as your ability to brush paint - not what you are wanting. As you wlll no doubt have gathered there are many masking mediums that can be used and each have their uses in different situations. Experiment, use the advice that people offer here and find what works best for you.
One last thing - you can't get better than Tamiya tape - Oh I said that already.

How about Maskol???????????

QUOTE: So...I assume the tamiya tape isn't all you use to mask then, right? Other wise I assume you'd get overspray? Do you just tape some paper or something over/beyond your precision mask at that point?

Nope, pretty much just Tamiya tape. The way I mask them is similar to Swanny's method on this page:
http://www.swannysmodels.com/Canopies.html
but I don't dip them in Future first.

So...I assume the tamiya tape isn't all you use to mask then, right? Other wise I assume you'd get overspray? Do you just tape some paper or something over/beyond your precision mask at that point?

I'm too cheap to buy Tamiya tape. I use good old Scotch tape, the dull looking one as opposed to the shinny one. I then use a blade from an old disposable razor to cut. My first few canopies were a painful process but now its not so bad. For example I can do a 1/32 scale Bf109 canopy in about 1/2 hour. Using an airbrush is also a must to lay a thin layer of paint so that it minimizes the runs underneath.

The only caveat with Scotch tape is that it sticks to the canopy too well so taking it off is tricky.

QUOTE: really now? What's Tamiya have over your basic masking tape? I mean, I trust you and it's already on my shopping list, but I just don't know.

I trust it because it has never failed for me. There are probably some tapes that are just as good and cost a little less, but I have never had a problem when using Tamiya tape. It's thin so it goes around curves a little bit better. It's relatively low-tack but at the same time seals very well. Burnish it down with a fingernail or toothpick and it just plain won't leak.

QUOTE: Also - you break out the AB even for canopies, huh? The big guns...well that cinches it, I gotta get one now.

I'll use an airbrush for a single small part if necessary. About the only thing I don't airbrush are cockpit details such as instruments and other tiny details.

really now? What's Tamiya have over your basic masking tape? I mean, I trust you and it's already on my shopping list, but I just don't know.

Also - you break out the AB even for canopies, huh? The big guns...well that cinches it, I gotta get one now.

QUOTE: What's the secret? A certain way of masking? single hair brushes? pixie dust??

For me it's Tamiya masking tape (always and only Tamiya masking tape), a brand new and very sharp X-Acto blade, an airbrush, and a lot of time masking and trimming. It's never failed me yet.