Masking 1/700 aircraft canopies???????

[roym]

How????????

With all the clear aircraft being released, how in the name of all thats holy do you mask the canopies on the likes of 1/700 F-18s, Corsairs and Tomcats? Never mind A-1s and Vigilantes? I've tried Tamiya masking tape; too small to handle, sticks to the tweezers, comes away with the scalpel when cut in place, etc... and humbrol maskol, can't get a straight edge as it just forms a blob.....

Or should I just go back to brush painting?????? Or stick to grey plastic as Italeri do?

TIA,
Roy

[Karsten]

How about a coat of Bob Liverly's Liquid Masking and a very small paint paint to apply it with.

Karsten

[Devin]

How about painting some decal paper with the color of the aircraft, cut it into small strips, apply as the canopy framing?

[Jadefalcon0]

Here is how I would attack the problem:

My first thoughts are to use my preferred tape (I use the green automotive body stuff from Autozone of an equivalent auto supply store) and cut it into fine strips using a sharp xacto knife. Make sure to cut with a guide, I recommend a metal ruler or square ( a ruler is a better bet) when cutting the tape. Carefully, but painstakingly apply the masking to the canopies and burnish (flatten out) the edges of the tape, but carefully because the tape is so minute. I would paint very little at first and use multiple coats of whatever you are using (I prefer pollyscale on 1/700 models). If it seeps under the tape, like 80% of my projects (the number has been going down actually!) you can use Tamiya's paint thinner and LIGHTLY rub off the paint within 24-48 hours off the canopy. I have found that Taimyas thinner is plastic compatible. 6 months or so ago I built a 1/48 F-117 Nighthawk and used the thinner on the canopy (complex canopy painting!) and I had no problems with it. Removing Paint that seeped is easiest within 4 hours of application; the key is to go GENTLE on the toothpick! Apply more pressure if neccesary but don't scratch the heck out of the canopy.

I would also be a supporter of liquid mask. If the entire body is clear, while painting I would be very careful to not paint the canopy. Masking with tape can be done, it just takes incredible patience and monotony. As a last resort, go with the gray plastic stuffs

-Rob

[Gerarddm]

Bare Metal Foil, mask with that. You can get incredibly thin cuts out of it, conforms to curves, etc.