canopy painting

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Doogie - 24 Jun 2006 01:55 GMT

just getting back into the modeling business and experiencing some of
my long term problems one of which is painting the framework and
crossbeams on aircraft canopys. most recently i completed a 1:48 ch-53
and was extremely displeased with the result both in the paint job and
the final fit to the cockpit. Not sure what to do. Know that I should
probabbly be using an airbrush to apply the paint. Enamel or Acrylic,
which is better for this? What kind of tape should I use for masking?
best way to correct a mistake or overspray? Should i paint it before
the final installation or wait till it's in place? What kind of glue
is best?

Help,

Doogie

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Kevin(Bluey) - 24 Jun 2006 05:22 GMT

> just getting back into the modeling business and experiencing some of
> my long term problems one of which is painting the framework and
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Doogie

With some kits its neccesary to fit the canopy wind shield to the
aircraft to get a good fit by sanding it to fit so there is no gaps when
it sits on the body this would all be done prior to masking and
painting.Make sure the canopy fits with no gaps around it , dip in
Future floor wax mask and then attach the wind shield to the aircraft
and fair any gaps with filler.The wind shield can be attached with CA
glue after being treated with Future.Other glues are available for clear
parts also.

Step 1 : Dip the clear canopy in Future floor wax and wick off any drops
with a paper towel and place in an air tight container to keep the dust
off. Leave for a day to dry.

Step 2: mask the canopy frames with Tamiya masking tape an rub down the
edges with a blunt tooth pick , you can do the vertical ones first and
paint ,then do the horizontal ones afteror vice a versa or do all
together .You need a new scalpel or a hobby knife blade and carefully
trim the tape along the frame edges ,dont go too deep and scratch the
canopy then use a tooth pick to pick up the tape you want to remove.

Step 3 : Paint the interior cockpit colour on first ,and when dry ,
paint the exterior colour.Also a clear coat would be next either gloss
or matt which ever the finish on the aircraft is to be.
As far a paint type is concerned , enamel or acrylic will work fine.

Step 4 : With light pressure and your new scalpel blade gently cut along
the edges of the masking tape and remove the mask.All things being equal
you should have a perfectly finished clear part ,with nice sharp frames.

Signature

Kevin (Bluey)
"I'm not young enough to know everything."

bluey69@westnet.com.au

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Rob de Bie - 27 Jun 2006 14:16 GMT

>just getting back into the modeling business and experiencing some of
>my long term problems one of which is painting the framework and
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>the final installation or wait till it's in place? What kind of glue
>is best?

With regards to the masking, here's a tutorial on 'Canopy masking with
Cheap Chocolate Foil':

http://www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/models/ccf.htm

I can't think of a better method.

I always install the clear parts before painting, treating them almost as
normal plastic parts. Use filler and sandpaper to make them fit the
model, otherwise they will look like parts added afterwards, spoiling the
appearance.

Rob

My models: www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/models.htm
Me 163B site: www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/me163.htm
AQM-34 site: www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/aqm34.htm

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foo - 27 Jun 2006 17:50 GMT

Cool trick.

In the photos, the open canopy seemed to have tape across it to stop
the paint from getting inside. I've tried that and it always leaks.
How do you get a good seal?

Neil

>>just getting back into the modeling business and experiencing some of
>>my long term problems one of which is painting the framework and
[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]
> Me 163B site: www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/me163.htm
> AQM-34 site: www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/aqm34.htm

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Rob de Bie - 29 Jun 2006 20:27 GMT

>Cool trick.
>
>In the photos, the open canopy seemed to have tape across it to stop
>the paint from getting inside. I've tried that and it always leaks.
>How do you get a good seal?

I don't think I'm using any special technique. I do check the tape just before
spraying, making sure that there are no leaks. Guess I have been lucky so far!

Rob

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maiesm72@netscape.com - 30 Jun 2006 05:46 GMT

You might want to look into the world of masking products such as
Express Mask and the like, especially for large or complex canopies and
turrets. These are pre-cut masking shapes to fit the clear parts of a
particular kit manufacturer's product. Most of the modeling magazines
have articles showing some of them.

Tom

> >Cool trick.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Rob

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Don Stauffer - 30 Jun 2006 14:44 GMT

>>Cool trick.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Rob

Boy, did I just screw up a couple of canopies. I am building that ASV or
whatever it is, the Sailplane from RG. The wings are plug in, and I was
painting the fuselage with the wings not attached. I carefully masked
off the canopy, including sealing the edges (it opens). I forgot that
the holes the wing spar plugs into open to the interior :-( I now have
a white frosted pair of canopies, frosted on the inside (I was painting
fuselage white). I have removed the overspray with paint thinner, so
now the canopy is merely frosted, not frosted white. I hope Future will
remove the frost, but I haven't done it yet.

I have put the model up for awhile to work on something else. The
wheels must be put in place before sides of fuse are glued together, so
I painted them first, then masked with masking film. While trying to
remove masking film I pushed too hard on wheel, it popped inside of
fuselage, and I can't get it out :-( No end of problems on this model!

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Model Forum / General / Models / June 2006

canopy painting