Canopy question

[Gary Dowler]

Ok, not to sound like an idiot, but I'll do it anyway.....

Vacuum formed canopy with frame detail. How do you go about painting the framework?  Inside? Outside? Something other than paint?  I'd post a pic, but don't know what site to use since tinypic went away.  Canopy is very similar to that on a T-6 Texan

Gary

[Avaiojet]

Ok, not to sound like an idiot, but I'll do it anyway.....

Vacuum formed canopy with frame detail. How do you go about painting the framework?  Inside? Outside? Something other than paint?  I'd post a pic, but don't know what site to use since tinypic went away.  Canopy is very similar to that on a T-6 Texan

Gary

Paint on the outside like I did with my Stuka Tank Buster. I actually used three canopies here because they slide. Lots of masking.

The Mig-3 I used vacuum formed plastic sheet for the framework. I have a Build on this at CFC Graphics. Extra work but it's worth it.

CB

[Avaiojet]

Thought I'd add this photo.

Edges come out really clean if you use the best tape.

Also, the canopy frame area should be sanded.

[t michael jennings]

Gentlemen,

1)  What name and type of tape that you use (the tape looks yellow or very thin)?

2)  What is the width of the tape?

3)  Do you draw the outline of the bracing on the canopy before taping?

4)  Do you cut the tape after the canopy is covered with tape?

Thanks for the Feed-Back.

T Michael Jennings
Knoxville, TN

[Avaiojet]

Gentlemen,

1)  What name and type of tape that you use (the tape looks yellow or very thin)?

2)  What is the width of the tape?

3)  Do you draw the outline of the bracing on the canopy before taping?

4)  Do you cut the tape after the canopy is covered with tape?

Thanks for the Feed-Back.

T Michael Jennings
Knoxville, TN

1. 3M fine line green. I don't pay attention to the number, but I only purchase tape at body shop supply places. There's some 3M blue there. I used up what I had then went to the green. Both give excellent edges.

2. This tape is .25" but is available in smaller and larger widths. The green doesn't like tight corners. The blue does. If the corner is really tight I'll use .125".

3. I draw no outline. This canopy had a raised frame so there was an edge to mask.

If the canopy had no edge, I would first make the frame with tape. I would then mask to the tape frame which would eventually be removed. Sanding is important.

4. If cutting is the goal, spraying the canopy or brushing on liquid mask will work.
I chose to apply 5,000 pieces of tape.  Actually just what was needed. .375" or .5" tape would have been easier, less pieces to work with and less time.

CB

Chattanooga, TN.


 

[M Spencer]

There is , for the plastic kits , some specialised ' masking paint ' ( Maybe like the rubberised ' peel off ' wheel paint ? ) for scale stuff .

Idea is coat the whole animal , scalple along frame lines , peel off frame , spray paint . then peel of ' mask ' paint .

These guys do canopy vinyl ' canopy mask ' laser cut things to, but of course theyre for itty bitty plastic scale muddles .

[Gary Dowler]

Lots of good info here.  Thanks for the input.  I additionally was told of yet another idea. Use automotive pinstripe tape on the inside of the canopy frame.  It holds up to heat and everything else on car paint, cant see why it wouldn't stay on the inside of the canopy frame. On one of my spares Ive tried painting the inside, and pinstripe tape on the inside.  The former was a failure outright, the latter looked very good.  Ill try masking and painting an outside section tomorrow.  Glad I have 3 of these things to work with!

Gary