Okay, my model is nearing completion. It’s time for me to paint the canopy frame. Oh no! Oh yes, it is a challenge. I’ve tried micromask-still trying to get it to work properly, tried masking tape and artist’s tape-to no avail. Is Parafilm the answer? Frisket film is not! Is it patience? I don’t know. Here’s my quandy-up next is a Ju87R-2, her canopy is akin to a bowl of fettuccine! Can anyone out there help me solve the canopy frame dilemma? Thanks for all your input in advance.
Over
Trowbridge, I have had success with bare metal foil. Cut an appropriate sized square for the canopy, apply foil, and burnish with a q -tip. The grooves in the canopy will show sufficiently enough so that you can cut out the foil that covers the canopy framing. This is Paul Boyer’s method and it works well. Myself, I have used 3m scotch tape since it is super sticky and you can see through it, although it does not conform to severe curves as well as the foil. In either case, use a fresh #11 blade in your knife. Good Luck, hope this helps. BT
Brian, what “brand” bare metal foil do you use? I think I have some Testors bare metal foil that is sticky on one side. Will this work?
Dana F
Any modelling foil should work but be sure to use the sharpest knife you have to cut it or you’ll go out of your mind. The results are great but sometimes serious patience is required. I’m working on an Avenger in 1/72 and I’ll never do another.
You’ll never do another…what? Use foil on the canopy? I’m somewhat in the same boat as Trowbridge. I’ve been using a homemade formula of liquid masking but have decided I don’t like the fact that I can’t get straight lines. I’m wanting to try something else.
Dana F
I’m just finishing my AmTech P-51A. I’m gonna get radical, I’m tired of masking and all that. I figure I’m gonna very carefully free-hand the canopy frames with a brush! I’ll let you know how it goes. I think if I very lightly load the brush, and carefully paint, it should be ok.
I’ve done this alot and, usually, it turns out ok. However, in some cases where I’m doing a camo or bare metal aircraft, that’s a bit more difficult. The one I’m working on now is bare metal and it just needs to be masked somehow.
Dana F
I have a question: Where do companies get the dimensions to create masks? The reason I ask is because I have a friend of mine with a vinyl cutting machine. I know AutoCAD and could produce the masks and he could cut them from vinyl. The problem would be getting the measurements right.
Dana F
I’ve use parafilm-m with great results. The truth is, unless you use factory cut out masks, your best technique to masking canopies by hand is.
A layer of “Future” on the canopy (before masking and painting) also helps (a little) if you goof up. It gives you a very very small barrier between the plastic and the paint.
won’t do another Avenger… That canopy is too much of a pain for such an ugly aircraft.
Just returning back into building again I never thought about the canopy as having to be painted. I have just completed my first model. A PBY-5 and I used scotch tape to mask with and it turned out ok. I made several goof ups making the model and canopy my look a little under what you guys could do, but it looks far better then I could hand paint. Over all I like it and its not bad for my first model in almost 35 years 
stindle,
The most important thing is that you’re modeling again. Keep up the practice and experiment with some of the new masking products that are available (Parafilm-M, Factory Cut Canopy masks etc.) Find one you like (even scotch tape) and with practice you’ll do great.
I try not to compare my work against others. I just try to make every model I build better than the one before it and learn from my mistakes (and advice on these forums). Like everything, there’s always someone better than you.
bwahahahaha, I love being a modern aircraft buff! I only have to worry about a maximum of 4 frames to mask compared to the zillion tiny little windows on an avenger or dauntless. My current work is a F-16CJ Block 52 and it only has 1 frame!! (Downside is a massive bubble canopy that will make any scratch stick out like a swore thumb)