Decals on Canopies

[Jasonb13]

Hi there,

Just a niggling little thing that I'd like people's advice on!

I've finished the canopy for a Ju-87, my first ever masked canopy. So it was a lot of work for me, Klear first, then masking, then painting, then removing the masks etc.

Anyhow, this kit has optional decals for the canopy ( some on the clear 'glass' and some on the painted 'framework' ). I haven't decided if I'll put them on or not. The ones on the clear canopy will probably be ok, as it's coated with Klear, but the ones on the paint I'm guessing won't sit very well. Sure, I could do another coat of Klear on the whole canopy, but then the framework will be very shiny ( and I'm guessing, maybe incorrectly, that it should be matt? ). And I can't do a complete Klear coat, then decals and then a flat coat cos the 'glass' sections won't be see through anymore ( unless I tried to apply the flat coat very very very carefully only on the framework, but sure it's easier just not to use the decals! )

So, I hope that all makes sense! What are people's experience with finishing off canopies and putting decals on them? Thanks!

J.

[Richard M]

Use the future on the whole canopy after applying the decals - canopies were polished to remove dirt etc to make them nice and clear which also resulted in the surrounding frames becoming polished and shiny - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. (Alternatively apply a matt acrylic varnish carefully after, it's not that tricky with a bit of practice and a fine brush).

[Jasonb13]

I like your logic!

As it happens, I've just realised that as I'm leaving the canopy open, the decals on the framework would be covered by the open section, so aren't needed! Of course, that means I need to make the cockpit look better...

J.

[rkennerley]

what i do is leave the canopy masks on once i have painted the model then clear the hole thing

decals on then matt varnish then remove the masking

[Jasonb13]

Ah, that's a good way of doing it, I'll remember that next time! Thanks...

J.