I’ve noticed that when my models start to get rather dusty, a quick dusting with a rag and then a new shot of dullcote or glosscote (whichever is most appropriate) will make the model look like new again. I usually only do this once a year. However, I like my canopies open (I build mostly jets) and I need to find a way to mask these off from the spray. Usually what I’ve done is pull the canopies off, but this has resulted in some inconvenient breakages that are difficult to fix. Phantoms are especially troublesome. Any ideas on what I can do? I simply need to cover the canopies so that no dullcote or glosscote gets on 'em. Tape is out of the question, since removing it will probably also remove the canopy. I’m thinking of trying coin wrappers closed at one end…
You could try something very low-tack like post-it notes, or glue your canopies on with something that will hold them in place, but shear easily if you want to remove them, like white glue perhaps.
Aluminum foil did the trick. I needed to mask the canopies by applying as little pressure as possible. I just folded the foil and slipped it over the canopies. It worked great. Luckily, the bottoms don’t get dusty. I don’t think this would work if I had to flip the birds upside down!
I stuff my completed open cockpits full with bits of Kleenex tissue, then I can spray the exterior colors without messing up the cockpit. I don’t install the clear plastic canopies until the exterior finish is complete.