While I enjoy modeling, I have a problem installing clear plastic windows on aircraft. I typically dip the clear parts in Future for clarity, then glue them in place in the aircraft fuselage. I’ve tried several glues, but the windows break out from the sides of the model…usually after the fuselage halves are assembled. My question is: How can I install these windows so the adhesion is strong?
I’m thinking that the Future is causing a barrier between the clear plastic and the aircraft body. Perhaps a light touch of sanding where the glue will be going (to make sure the Future is gone, and don’t forget the clear the aircraft body as well).
Epoxy is the ony thing I trust for gluing windows inside of fuselage. It is a very strong glue, and will not fog transparent materials. Yeah, it is a bit more work (and it stinks) but I have come up to speed in working with it so frequently (I do a lot of airliners and model cars), and am becoming tolerant of the smell. I even use five-minute epoxy now, since I have learned to mix it fast and apply it okay. But I still recommend slower mixes if you are not really an expert with it.
I’m building a Revell C-17. It has a few clear parts that need to be glued into place on the inside of the fuselage before the fuselage halves are attached together. I glued them in place with regular welding cement taking care not to get any glue on the window area of the part. Then I filled in any gaps in the front using Mr. Surfacer and Mr. Dissolved Putty (you can use whatever brand you want) and sanded/ polished them down to become very clear. Then I masked them.
This did two things. First it created a very secure bond between the clear part and the fuselage part. And second it created a seamless frame around the window.
Here’s what I’m talking about:
The part itself is very clear but a little bit of plastic dust was in the plane when I glued it together so it looks a little dusty.
And if the clear part ends up being recessed a little bit you can still attach it with plastic welding cement and then fill it (from the front) with CA glue or clear epoxy resin. after the resin or CA dries you can sand and polish it down until its clear.
Don, What brand of epoxy do you use for installing clear parts?..Do you apply Future before installing?
I use any of several brands- whatever is easily available. Some are some pretty cheap house brands. I do not use future at this stage- in fact unless it is a show plane I seldom apply future to transparencies unless they are fogged or badly scratched.
Fly-N-Hi…that looks really good! I’ll be using a similar technique if I ever get around to doing the two big 1/350 starships in my stash. Lots of flush windows on those things.
Chris
I’ve found that some epoxies dry to a yellow color. Don’t know if its the brand I used, if it was just old, or I got to much of one vs the other. Both liquid parts were clear, turned a pearly white when mixed and the slightly yellow when dry.
It didn’t bother me as it was in a hidden area.