Hmmm… hopefully someone can help me here. I have a canopy that no matter how hard I try to keep it clean and lint-free for dipping into a tub of Future, I keep getting stuff on it while dipping. What do you guys use to wipe the part off with before dipping, and also what do you use to wick off the excess Future after dipping? I have tried a (supposedly) lint-free paper towel, plain white typing paper, and cotton buds dipped in Future to wick it off but I keep getting junk on the surface. I have tried the current part four times, and don’t remember ever having this much trouble with one. Anybody have any ideas? [%-)]
Hi, daywalker,
When I dip parts in Future, I use a piece of paper towel to wick away the excess. I usually hold the piece with tweezers, or I leave it on the sprue and dip the whole sprue. Then I set a piece of paper towel down on the work surface, and touch the clear part to it, to allow the excess to wick away. After the excess Future is gone, I place the part under a cover. Sometimes I place it on paper towel and put a cover over it. Depending on the size of the piece, I’ve used pint soup containers from Chinese restaurants, on up to larger Tupperware or Rubbermaid containers. I have also used a third-hand tool-the kind with a cast iron base, a magnifier, and two arms with alligator clamps-to hold a piece or a sprue in the air while the Future cures, but still, placing the holder and piece under a cover large enough to cover it. I’ve found that to be effective in keeping dust off the piece, while the Future dries.
Regards,
Brad
Well I would have said the exact same thing. The above method has always worked for me with good results.
Frank:
I’ve had good luck with a good isopropyl alcohol cleaning before Future application. Instead of dipping, I like to spray the Future on. So far, so good results wise. The spray probably isn’t the difference maker, so I think the pre-clean with alcohol may be worth trying.
Try waving (not wiping) a static free Bounce sheet from the laundry. That should discharge enough of the static to help keep the dust away.
Ditto on the alcohol for cleaning first as Mucker said. Then I hold it with tweezers and dip in in future and paper towel to remove the excess. Once than is done I cover it on a paper towel with a bowl to dry.
Steve
The first thing to do is start with clean future. The tub must be clean and lint free. Clean the tub under running water and allow to air dry bottom side up.Make sure you have no fan , open window draft , or vent A/C flowing. The room air should be still. Use alcohol , a polar solvent , to clean the part. Allow to air dry under cover. Do not cloth dry. I use a mini hemostat to hold the part. Dip in future , then touch corner of part to paper towel to wick excess Future. Place under cover to dry. Repeat dip and dry steps if desired. You can also add food color to Future for a tinted look. Yellow food color gives a gold sheen to a jet canopy. Blue looks good on tinted car windows. Use a small amount of FC in the Future and coat with several layers ,allow to dry between coats,until the desired shade is achieved. This method has always worked for me.
Best regards rg
Wow, thanks for the quick replies and wonderful info guys. I am going to incorporate all of your tips and try it again. Thanks again fellas, I really appreciate your help! [:D]
Wash it in soapy water or alcohol to remove fingerprints. Let it dry. Right before dipping, give it a good blast of “Dust Off” canned air. Then dip, set on a paper towel, then immediately cover it with an empty butter tub or small tupperware bowl until dry.
Another great tip, thanks Mark! Does that compressed air in a can help keep the lint off?
That’s the beauty of it. Most cloths or wipes tend to leave annoying particulates, or 'fuzzies", whereas a good air blast leaves nothing. I also keep a can by my spray booth, and blast my model right before painting commences.
Thanks mark, I will get a can of that and have a go at it. [tup]
Hey man, i cant believe your having stress over this. I feel you pain though. Ive filled thousands of seems and then one gets you, and you have to think what the hell am i doing wrong. Nothing probably, its just one of those days.
When i do canopies, theres nothing technical at all involved. 1stly i use my polishing cloth that came with some polish or another. (Lint free). Next give the canopy a good rub down. (Removing dirty fingy prints etc) Give it a blow then Dip the thing in future and place it straight on to a piece of kitchen towel to wick off the excess. Then place a glass, cup or container of any sort over the top of the whole caboodle. Leave for about an hour or so. Overnight if you prefer. Take off container and there you have it.
…Guy
Thanks Guy! I hear ya man, some days I feel like a noob. Tomorrow will be better! [:D]
Thanks for the tip on food coloring, Ralph! I never heard that before, and I’m going to try it.
Regards,
Brad
Frank, instead of doing all this building, spend some time dusting your house.[:O]
Call me @ work I havent heard from you in a while.
Thad
In addition to all the great tips mentioned, insert the clear part into the Future slowly, so that you don’t drag air along with it. Tiny bubbles can form, and they are just as annoying as dust motes. Removing the part from its Future bath slowly doesn’t hurt, either (less fluid to wick off).
And, for those who haven’t tried it, cut the Future about 30% with Simple Green. This really “wets” the Future and makes it flow smoothly. (Disclaimer: Yeah, I know it gives a greenish tinge; not bad for canopies or dark colors, but use it judisciously on lights and whites.)
Phil
LOL, now thats funny. Get dusting you sloven.
…Guy
DOH!!! [D)] [:I]
I’m picking up the Bat-phone right now!
Phil- Great idea, thanks for the tip!
Guy- You kill me sometimes! [(-D] Shouldn’t you be building a Dora right now? [swg]
Okay, we all know about Frankie’s goggles…can we now picture him in ‘clean room’ scrubs and gown, hair net, shoe covers…arms tucked in long rubber gloves as he manipulates robotic arms within a hermetically sealed ‘Dipping Booth’?
The Evil Modeler at work![(-D]