Hi guys
I just pulled the masking tape off my AH-64D Apache canopy and 1 of the windows looked kinda smokey. So I removed it from the model and have dipped it in Windex. I took a look at the window after soaking for 30 minutes and I can still see the smokey look. Is there any thing else I can do to fix this?
Scott
That might just be tape residue. If that’s the case, it can be removed easily with a Q-tip dipped in alcohol or Goo Gone. I don’t think just soaking it in an ammonia-based product like Windex will get it off. What kind of tape are you using? The less-tacky type like Tamiya’s masking tape won’t leave residue behind.
From your description, it sounds more like the haze that occurs when unprotected clear parts are exposed to the fumes from regular plastic cement or superglue. If that’s the case, fixing it involves lots of sanding and polishing, and in the end you might as well just buy a replacment part depending on how extensively it’s fogged. In case you weren’t aware, dipping clear parts at least twice in Future will prevent fogging from those types of glues.
The windex helped a little bit. However it is still a little foggy. I tried Alcohol and it didn’t fix it. Should I did it in Future now? I seem to remember using future on an A-10 Warthog about a year ago and it actually fogged the canopy up. I used the Tamiya tape to mask.
Here is a picture of it
http://picasaweb.google.com/sgtreanor/Canopy?authkey=Gv1sRgCJuymurgxJ7O4gE&feat=directlink
I know it doesn’t look to bad. It bugs me though.
Let me know if you can’t see the picture.
Thank you,
Scott
Future shoulden’t hurt it any.
I think it is worth a try.
Tom T [cwby]
Future shouldn’t fog clear parts, and I’ve never heard of it actually doing that. What you had might have been contaminated or just old.
That really looks like the part got exposed to one of the above-mentioned glues. At this point you can dip it in Future several times and see if that fixes it…if not, remove the Future with Windex and then you can try sanding it with increasingly finer grits starting at 600, and going up as high in the grit as possible. If the haze isn’t gone by the time you’ve finished sanding with the finest grit you’ll simply face the choice of either living with it or buying a replacement part.
That’s why many people dip their canopy parts in Future right from the get go to protect the part, make it more transparent, and also because it basically hides minor scratches that you often find OOB. Other people hate the stuff and think it gives clear parts an unrealistic shine.
Thank you batai37 and T Terrific
I tried soaking the canopy in windex and future. It seemed to help a little bit. Thanks for your input.
I have since completed my AH-64D Apache and it is the best model I have ever done.
Scott
Hello again guy’s
I have nearly completed my F18E Super hornet. One of the final steps for me was to take the tape off the canopy.
http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/photo/SuLjm6f5Fn5-9GcNJWWzyCC6QO_gWcYyH-FbeXig0q4?feat=directlink
I am a little frustrated because I really took my time and the result wasn’t to my satisfaction.
What would you do? Should I did the canopy in windex and start again. Or is there any other techniques I could to remove the paint without destroying the canopy?
Thank you,
Scott