notflip Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Hi Everyone, I'm wondering how I should paint the following piece(s), it's the cockpit window for a Spitfire. How do people generally tackle this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 I cheat these days, A set of canopy masks from Eduard or Montex or similar is usually available. Failing that, make your own with Tamiya tape and a sharp knife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notflip Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 43 minutes ago, bentwaters81tfw said: I cheat these days, A set of canopy masks from Eduard or Montex or similar is usually available. Failing that, make your own with Tamiya tape and a sharp knife. Thanks for that, I suppose tamiya tape is better than my cheap diy store tape for cutting out complex masks? I'll order some online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 23 minutes ago, notflip said: Thanks for that, I suppose tamiya tape is better than my cheap diy store tape for cutting out complex masks? I'll order some online. Yes, it is. It's very flexible, so you can rub it down right into the angle between frame and window with a cocktail stick. You'll then find that as you angle the piece in the light that you can see really well where the cut line needs to be along the edge of the frame, because the tape is translucent. Use a very sharp, ideally new, pointed (#11) blade, and don't press too hard... you don't want to score the plastic if you can avoid it, just slice through the paper layer. Angle the tip of the blade into the V where the frame and window meet: if you try to use the frame as a "ruler" to cut along, it's too easy to drift and start carving the edge of the frame instead of cutting the tape. And if your Spitfire kit has some spare alternative windscreens for other versions that you're not going to use, practice on one of them first! All the best, Matt 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notflip Posted July 9, 2019 Author Share Posted July 9, 2019 1 hour ago, cmatthewbacon said: Yes, it is. It's very flexible, so you can rub it down right into the angle between frame and window with a cocktail stick. You'll then find that as you angle the piece in the light that you can see really well where the cut line needs to be along the edge of the frame, because the tape is translucent. Use a very sharp, ideally new, pointed (#11) blade, and don't press too hard... you don't want to score the plastic if you can avoid it, just slice through the paper layer. Angle the tip of the blade into the V where the frame and window meet: if you try to use the frame as a "ruler" to cut along, it's too easy to drift and start carving the edge of the frame instead of cutting the tape. And if your Spitfire kit has some spare alternative windscreens for other versions that you're not going to use, practice on one of them first! All the best, Matt Perfect! Thanks for the advice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Noble Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 I just place Tamiya tape onto the area to be masked and press it down with a wooden cocktail stick into all the corners. Then with a sharp pencil I mark the frame area, then remove the piece of tape and cut the "mask" with sharp decal scissors. Next I re-apply the mask I've cut back onto the canopy... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted July 9, 2019 Share Posted July 9, 2019 Remove the transparency from the sprue, clean it up and dip it in Klear and leave to dry. Put Tamiya masking tape on the surface to be painted/sprayed Burnish it down a cocktail stick is useful for this, but any blunt instrument will do Take a sharp scalpel (you may get away with a knife) and cut up to the edge of the canopy frame Remove the excess tape and its ready for paint This method works just the same on more complex canopies Just apply the paint Leave to dry thoroughly before removing the tape When dry, remove the masking tape I use a scalpel to lift a corner then peel back 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Ranger Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 After the canopy is masked, first spray the frames with the interior color. Allow to dry, then spray the exterior color. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shin Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 following that nice photo tutorial, if you're using acrylic paint, if any paint got under the masks you can usually lightly scrape away the errant pick with a wooden toothpick. The toothpick is soft enough to not scratch the clear plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G.E.SAUNDERS Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 hi all . I bought a roll of 15 mm wide White Maskin' tape made by MT (Japan ) in Manchester's BIG Craft Store this May This Tape sticks !..... is thinner than Tamiya and can be marked with a Pencil/Biro and easier to cut to shape. ......... even use the stuff on my CANNON Printer Cartridge after a refill . cheery "modellin'" mumbas ! Geoff F.T.G. 3156 f Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
notflip Posted July 10, 2019 Author Share Posted July 10, 2019 @Ratch Amazing guide! thank you, I haven't used Klear, what does it do? Does it improve the visuals of the part? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratch Posted July 10, 2019 Share Posted July 10, 2019 Its a clear gloss varnish (actually floor polish) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff7474 Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 On 09/07/2019 at 11:23, notflip said: Thanks for that, I suppose tamiya tape is better than my cheap diy store tape for cutting out complex masks? I'll order some online. Revell tape is pretty good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rayprit Posted July 14, 2019 Share Posted July 14, 2019 This subject has been done to death if you care to check out and search the forums...…………..heres just one of those topics and take note of post #16...………..its the post many of us use Paul Budzik. Paul also is a member of Britmodeller and has many helpful tuturials on various topics on YouTube and his web site:- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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