Liquid Mask on Canopies

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hey All,

I am building the Hasegawa 1/48 F-14D Tomcat and have some questions about using liquid mask to mask the canopy. I have the Parma Liquid Mask and the Eduard masking set. So, here’s what I think the process should be:

  • Dip the canopy in Future and let dry
  • Affix the Eduard Mask around the frame lines and burnish down tightly
  • Apply the Liquid mask and let dry
  • Dip in Future again to seal everything and let dry
  • Paint
  • Carefully remove the Eduard mask and the liquid mask

If I have the process messed up, please correct me.

My questions are:

  • How thick do I apply the liquid mask?
  • How long can the masking (both the Eduard and liquid mask) stay on the canopy without damaging the canopy?
  • Do I just apply the liquid mask up to the eduard mask, or cover it as well?
  • Does the liquid mask really work and does it come off easily?

I have a bad history of masking canopies, and any help will be greatly appreciated. The reason I’m thinking baout the liquid mask this time, is Eduard recommends it in their masking instructions.

Thanks to everyone, John

2

I cant anwer all your questions, but I have recently used a liquid mask [not the product you have] from micromark, and found it worked exceedingly well.

I do not future my canopy, but do not think that is material.

I did put down eduard mask tape [you could use Tamiya tape as they appear to be identical] on the inside of the frame. Then the rest of the canopy which is uncovered is covered with liquid mask applied with a brush. I did two coats as I was afraid I might have left a pinhole sized area uncovered. The trick is to overlap the tape, but not to cover the frame area. When you remove the tape, it removes the dried liquid mask as well. Any small defects can be worked away.

Jimf

3

Thanks a bunch Jimf, I really appreciate the input!

John

4

nr,

I would skip the liquid mask step and use Tamiya tape to finish the masking on the canopy. At this point skip the dip in Future again. Now paint the canopy, let dry, remove the mask, clean off any paint seapage with a toothpick and once clean dip in Future again. I never leave any masks on for more than 48 hours as some are really hard to clean off excess adhesive. Hope this helps.

Dean

5

Thanks for the help Dean. Seems like no matter how hard I try to burnish down tape, I still get some seepage. Thought I’d give he liquid stuff a try…see if it worked any better. But, maybe I’ll do the tape one more time.

6

I used to hate doing canopies. Then I saw this. http://www.swannysmodels.com/Canopies.html

Now it’s no problem!

Zip

7

Excellent article, thanks Zip!

8

that’s a good point. Liquid maskings don’t bite down on the edges very well like regular modeling tapes.

9

To clean off any leftover adhesive on anything pick up a product called Goo Gone. For canopies I put a small drop on the end of a Qtip. Works every time.

Jimf