Ok, I just opened my Revell F-15E and gave it a good looking over…nice kit and can’t wait to tackle it. However, I’ve noticed a problem with the canopy…which has a raised seam right down the top of it! I was not expecting that at all[:#][:'(]
I’ve searched to no avail to find an AM canopy.
Anyone who’s built this run into the same problem with the canopy or is it just my kit? And if you have run into this problem, how did you remedy it?
The seam is there because they have to use multi-part moulds to form the correct shape. If you look at the canopy front-on, you will see that the sides bulge outwards slightly and then pinch back in a little at the sill.
Many people just scrape the seam down with a sharp knife, rub it down with some very fine wet and dry (say 2000 grit), polish with an appropriate polishing medium and dip in Future.
I just noticed the bulge when I read your post… I plan on going to LHS tomorrow to get some high grade buffing pads to take care of the seam.
Would you recommend a polishing compound or just the Future?
I’ve never had to deal with this sort of thing before with clear a part.
I was wondering this a few years ago and this was what was recommended/what I’ve developed and used since then.
Use a knife to trim the seam down
Ultra-fine sand the seam. I got a set of 6 polishing pads that go from 1500 - 4000 grit. After doing this, the surface will feel and look smooth if you shine a light at an angle but the clear part will still be somewhat hazy and blurry.
Previously, I have used a plastic polish here and had good results. However, I have heard but not confirmed that plastic polish makes the future application difficult in the next step. I cannot confirm this as 100% true but in step 4 I do notice that the future does start to “bead” and doesn’t lay down smoothly until I’ve given several coats. I have also heard that the cure for this is to use toothpaste instead of plastic polish but this is also unconfirmed. If you decide to go with the plastic polish, do not be alarmed if the part still is a little hazy.
Apply lots of future.
I’ve got a canopy for a Hasegawa 1/48 F/A-18C that I need to fix this way. I am going to try the toothpaste method this time to see if there is any improvement and I’ll reply and let you know how it goes.
I have seen people use toothpaste and it does work just get the surface as smooth as possible micromesh is ideal and when you’re finished apply the toothpaste, I have no idea how future will go down but toothpaste is a polish as well so you probably wont need it.
Novus 2 plastic polish. You can get it from Micro Mark and other places.
Toothpaste works well. Don’t use the gel, use the regular paste, and a soft cloth. Then finish it off with Future. I wouldn’t have believed it until I did it.
I used a 3 wat Squadron sanding stick on my F-15E canopy. Use the sandpaper to sand it off then polish with the white and finally the back. Youre canopy will still be marked up a little. Now grab a soft cloth and polish the canopy with toothpaste. Finally, if you go back over it with the back of the tri stick it will shine it right up. Now you can future dip like normal.
This is a great kit…you’ll love it!
What seam? There is no seam…
Not anymore.
@dean27: I just tried the toothpaste and it does work better than plastic polish. It is at the point where it probably doesn’t need future, but I’m still going to do it anyway to give it a little bit more shine.