I’ve painted the canopy frame on my FW-190 with acrylics using Cutting Edge masks, but am not happy with the results…the masks did not mask very well, I wish I just used Tamiya tape. Any ideas on how best to remove the paint and start over without ruining or crazing the canopy surface? What should I use? I did Future the thing before I painted it. Thank you!
What brand acrylics did you use and how long has it been since you painted the canopy ?
CFR
I used “Color of Eagles” acrylics, and it has been a few weeks since I painted the canopy. Here is the paint I used (excellent paints, by the way):
http://www.aircraftcolors.com/german.html
I wonder…would Polly Scale ELO be overkill? Would it harm the clear surface?
I’d just use acrylic thinner or industrial IPA. I’ve removed some acrylic paint from my canopy before and had no problems with the removal. Just polish the canopy clear again.
use oven cleaner, it takes the paint of without damage
I’ve got a neat trick that may help. Once the paint is dry, take a Q-tip, or any cotton swab with a rolled paper shaft (the plastic ones won’t work!) and break off one of the cotton ends. Use the exposed paper shaft to rub the paint off of the areas you don’t want. The paper is soft enough that it won’t scratch or damage the plastic, but firm enough to remove it from those unwanted areas!
I’ve had the same problem and as cobrahistorian used a q tip I was able to remove the paint by using a toothpick (wooden) and no harm to the clear part. Also I was told to avoid this problem rub the edges with a q tip or a toothpick before painting and since I have done this no problems have reocurred. Also to remove the Cutting Egde Mask I use my exacto knife and a no. 11 blade to trim between the mask and frame work. Helps from damaging or lifting the paint. Good Luck
I use a variation on the Q-tip method. I add a little toothpaste because it contains enoough of an abrasive to remove the paint, but not enough to scratch or discolor the clear plastic. Think about it, it cleans your teeth without dammaging them.
You could try Windex straight from the bottle using a Q-Tip or similar. I’ve had success with it in the past.
Thank you all–I tried the Q-tip method and it really does seem to work. I’m building the “Red 1”, and actually intend to try to recreate the fire damage that is evident from photographs, which involves the heavily smoke-stained forward windscreen, as well as some fire damage on the starboard side, just in front of the cockpit. So I’m really not going for the “crystal clear” effect on this particular canopy–it doesn’t need to be perfect. I need to be subtle with the effect, though–it can easily be overdone. Thought I would experiment with some Tamiya Smoke. Thanks again for the advice–the Q-tip was quite effective.
Glad to hear it worked Uproar!