EASY and CLEAN way to Mask Clear Parts!

This is the ONLY way I mask my canopies…I just did this today on my 1/35 Chinook.

Clear shelf/contact paper…$5.99 to 7.00 bucks at your local Fred Meyer or Home furnishing shop.

Just cut a piece that is larger than the window section your masking and then using your finger nail, burnishing tool or what ever to snug the material down firmly in and againts the frame/recessed panel lines…after that using a new number eleven blade start at a corner or mid section and carefully and with not so much pressure cut along the edges…Now keep in mind that you are keeping the window sections and removing the material exposing the frame work to be painted…even if the material does not sit down 100% perfect you can still SEE where to cut as you go…then push down the material after you remove the unwanted sections…next thing you know you are done!

I like to do this before adding the canopy to the model so I have more control of my work.

Paint the canopy or model…then after the paint is dry…use your number eleven blade to carefully lift one corner then use tweezers to lift up each section.

After a while you will get the hang of it…can anyone guess what 1/24 canopy I dug out of my parts box for the demo?

Yup, I use the same technique, but with masking tape. Works great every time.

what kind of masking tape do you use

Standard 3M brand tan masking tape. Usually the 1" to 1 1/2" wide one, but it comes in all widths. I find that the 3M brand is the best, the other (cheaper) ones rip too easily or don’t stick well.

I do the same thing with the blue painting tape from wal-mart. Low tack stuff, I love it.

NICE PIN UP Willuride! :slight_smile:

Yep… I love the blue tape as well…I use it for all other masking…but with this stuff you get a lot more for your buck, it’s low tack and its clear so you can SEE what your doing.

Good idea using the clear contact paper. I had always used Scotch Tape.

I"ll have to hit the Freddys tonight. I usually use bare metal foil.

Hey Mel…I think you will find this stuff a lot easier to remove than scotch tape…ouch!

Glad to help.

The next session will be on MAKING THE PERFECT PAINT CHIP effect.

…after I try it out on some test parts I have set up for my Hook.

What…no guesses on what WWII aircraft the canopy is from???

its an easy one!

Well, that test canopy look to be a me 109???

Sence we’re on the subject of masking windows, I’ve been hearing about useing Elmers white glue to do this. Does this work well?? Seems to me it should becouse white glue doesn’t usualy stay stuck to a slick surface like a clear canopy.

Mark

ME 109-E

Mark wins a USED cat box and a picture of the cat that did it!

Mark…That technique and canopy masking products like that are ok…but its hard to control, get into tight places, nice crisp straight lines and sometimes its impossible to remove…especially from recessed lines you did not know that where there untill its too late!

It took me five years to use up just one roll of the stuff and thats with my wife using it as well doing glass etching…not bad for just 5.99!

YEE HAW!!! I win!!! Don’t care for the prize though!![:P]

As for as the white glue, I’ll use that trick cousiously. Scoch tape is easy to appy and cut out around fine detales BUT getting it off is a chore!!

I wonder how Glad cling wrap would do?? I’ll try testing this out on a junked canopy.

Mark

Dude! NOOOOO!!!

Anything but white glue! Go to the store or a good arts and crafts shop and buy that CLEAR shelving paper…you will love it!!!

Got the HOOK painted tonight! man its looking more like a Ch47-A every day!

I have used white glue with dish soap and food coloring with some success. I would only recommend using it on a canopy with WELL DEFINED framing. I have heard of someone using the new Glad cling wrap but I haven’t tried it my self. They claim good results using it just as they would ParaFilm. I like the idea of the shelf paper. You can use a whole piece for many window panels and the frosted finish would help to define come of those smaller frames.

Mac