Any comments or suggestions about using liquid masking for canopies? Any particular brand suggested? Technique tips? I’ve not used it before, but would like to try, so any thoughts would be most welcome!
I have used it in the past for canopy masking, but with limited success. It’s was fine for general coverage but I could never get a sharp, straight clean edge when removing it.
It was a hobby one that I used (can remember the brand), but I have heard that artists liquid mask it better.
Liquid mask is tricky to apply. It is thick and difficult to paint to the edges of the windows without under or overpainting the frames. The best results I have had were with aftermarket masks by Eduard, if you can find the right set for your model. Using tape and cutting it out with an Xacto knife is difficult for me, to follow the straight edges. So you “pays your money, and you takes your choice.”
I have found a good way to do it with any method is to coat the canopy with Future floor polish before starting and let it dry, then go ahead with any method you like, but be sure to use acrylic paint for the canopy frames. That way, it is easy to clean up mistakes afterwards, using a cotton swab and Windex.
I’ve had some success with Microscale liquid mask.
I tried using liquid mask for canopies but had limited success. Trimming the edges with a blade sometimes left the edge weak and lifted a bit so paint could get in underneath. Masking tape is a lot better even if you have to trim - it does take some patience.
The worst experience I had with masking a canopy was with a 1/48 Dual Hornet. I did the outside with Tamiya masking tape and no problem there but I masked the inside with Microscale Micro Mask. I primed the canopy with a Tamiya rattle can. Everything looked great. I took the tape off the outside - perfect cover and lines were smooth. Then I took the liquid mask off the inside and found it not so good - Some primer had got in under the mask - I was surprised how much. I tried to get it off with a bit of thinner on a cutip but it went frosty on me. In the end I ordered a new canopy from Hasegawa and got it in surprisingly short order for $9.50.
Another method is to make your own mask from a relief of the canopy;
Use a soft pencil & some regular paper & make a relief of the canopy (highly curved or complex ones may take more than one relief).
Lay down some Tamiya tape, overlapping if required onto a plate or sheet of glass.
Tape the relief firmly over the laid down tape & follow the relief markings with a clean sharp blade & voilà - your own canopy mask!
I have tried liquid masking tape on canopies. I wasn’t that successful because paint got under it. I now use masking take or do them free hand.
Use Microscale Micro mask and add to the bottle at least 5 drops of dark food color dye and 10% Elmer’s glue .Then add at least 5 drops of water and shake well.Also you can use in a container an amount of Elmer’s glue dark food color dye and a couple of drops of liquid dish washing gel and mix it.The dark food color dye will enable you to see when applying the solution to the canopy.When dried after painting you can lift from the corners the mask.Also you can use a hobby knife and trace around the frame outline to remove.If any residue shows up,just use a tooth pick and rub away from canopy.Good luck.