New at Swanny's Models - Masking Canopies

Tools, Techniques, and Reference Materials Techniques
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This week’s update is a step-by-step tutorial on masking canopies with fine strips of masking tape. This is really aimed at the newer modelers but even experienced modelers may pick up some tips. http://www.swannysmodels.com/Canopies.html

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great article Swanny[:D]. do you polish your canopies after you take them out of the box , but BEFORE you dip them in Future[?] if so what is the method/materials that you use[?]

thanks

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Very nice job … thanks for sharing … [swg]

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Nice article.

How about one for the people that don’t have access to the mentioned materials like Future or Micro-sheen. [;)]

Just one of my pet-peeves with many “How to do” articles the presume that the reader has access to the same materials.

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I was thinking of doing a Step by Step guide to masking with Foil.
Because I always pipe up about foil masking whenever someone asks about canopies, I have received emails asking about how it’s done excatly.

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Swanny,

Just wanted to take a Second to Thank You for putting together such a great web site. [tup] [8D]
It has been a great source of info as I get back into the Hooby after many years. [8-]

Thanks Again

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Thanks for all the comments guys. I’m just trying to promote our hobby.

Gharlan, after cleaning up the clear part but before dipping in Future I clean the part with the Micro Sheen cloth.

Model Museum, in the article I suggest alternatives such as flannel instead of the Micro Sheen cloth and also direct readers to “The Complete Future” where many alternative products are listed for various countries. I’ve done my best to cover all possibilities.

Tweety, yes - you should write that article.

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Your are doing an out standing job at it , I’ve refered to several of your articles for help. thanks [tup]…

mike.

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Thanks for the tips, and your website in general, Matt!

I’ve been using pre-cut canopy masks almost exlusively because I’ve had so little luck trying other methods. Your article will definitely be of use to me.

Mark

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Fantastic article, Swanny!!

Greetings from a mechanical engineer in Cincinnati! Love your website.

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Yes, Nice article indeed!

Well, now I know what I’m doing wrong when it comes to masking canopies[B)]. Thank you swanny for having a sensational website for us amateur and expert modelers. [8D]

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That is a really great website Swanny. It has helped me more than once.

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Swanny,
Thank you very much for this tutorial…it is the first one to really explain the masking tape process thoroughly. Thanks also for the illustrating photos; so many times these tips are covered without clear illustrations…I for one am more easily educated if I can see the process rather than read the process. Thanks again!!!

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Matt,

As always, clear with lots of pictures, very much indebted to your depth of knowledge. And always astounded by the amount of web updates you can generate. Thanks.

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Thanks guys, just trying to do my part to promote the hobby.

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Swanny,

Thanks for the article - hellped me brush up a little on the subject. One thing I’ve started doing to help from getting paint where I don’t want it (occasionaly I’ll miss a small spot or the edge of the tape doesn’t hold because of the curve etc) is to apply Micro mask (or one of the liquid masking agents out there) along the edges of the tape where they overlap. Takes a couple of extra minutes but not as much time as scraping the paint off the canopy and possible damage to the canopy while you’re doing it. It’s about the best thing I’ve found to use liquid masking agents for.

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Tweety,

I for one would love to read that article you are going to write [;)]

Darren

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i’ve got two words for you swanny… YOU RULE!!!

it seems like every time i read one of your how-to pages i find a better way to do things, and i’m sure this is no exception. i refer to your future faq and scribing page all the time. scribing is now actually kinda fun… in a weird way…

thanks for all of the great info

~ garth

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That’s what it is all about - inspiring modelers to new levels of greatness - glad you liked it.

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Swanny Great article, as ever clear and concise with excellent photos.

I’m currently using your technique on the glass house on my Ju287. Due to the large number of individual panels on this canopy, I tried running long strips of tape from top to bottom along the edge of each row of panels, and then from left to right.

This ensures a straight line along all the panels, I’ve always been prone to wobbly masking!! I then snipped out the sections of tape covering glazing bars, leaving a fully masked canooy with no wobbly edges!!

Just a variation on your technique.

Karl