5thelement

I wondered if anyone has any advice for painting the frame around the "glass" on canopy's. I just realised how difficult it's going to be lol The obvious thing to me is to use masking tape on the glass panes and then paint the frame once those parts are masked off, but im having a hard time masking it as some of the bits are so small.

Dont suppose anyone has any tips? im guessing i'll just need to persevere with trying to mask off the glass though.

Thanks

Bunkerbarge

I have to say that years ago I would try to persevere by hand with a fine brush and a load of patience but you really can't beat masking.

There are a number of ways of acheiving the mask though from sellotape, through masking tape to specially purpose manufactured masks. The manufactured ones are good but expensive and not that much better than you can make yourself.

At least with masking you can try again and again to your hearts content until you get it right before committing to paint.

Just bear in mind that sellotape tends to adhere quite strongly and can leave gum behind but it does have a thinner edge. Masking tape is a lot more flexible and can be bought in fine line form which is very flexible and a lot easier to use.

Finally you could use a masking fluid. This works by first masking the frame itself, obviously a lot easier than masking the panes, then paint the area with a masking fluid, purchased from any model shop. You then remove the hard mask and paint the frame. Finally the masking fluid is removed with a sharp blade and a perfect frame is left.

It all depends on the size and complexity of the window you are doing as to what you might feel is the best method.

wonwinglo

Try this idea which I have used successfully scores of times-
Get a piece of glass and stick onto this some ordinary masking tape,paint the tape the rquired colour of the canopy frame,next with a steel rule and a single edged razor blade cut strips the required width ( it is surprising how narrow you can get with a keen blade ) take a toothpick and carefullly roll a small amount of one of the narrow strips at one end,lift this onto the canopy and pull the painted tape across the canopy,keep going until you have completed the framing then trim off the edges,next dip the entire canopy into Johnsons Klear/Future and allow to drain off.
Once dry you will have the most realistic framed canopy,plus the Johnsons will not only have sealed the strips but given the whole lot a proper optical look about it.
Painting canopies by hand is a very difficult task that rarely looks correct,the flexible masking tape simulates the effect well.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

5thelement

Thanks alot for the advice, much appreciated.

I think i'll give the straight forward masking another shot and see how that goes first (not too well im guessing lol)

I've not heard of the masking fluid before, something i'll need to look into.

wonwinglo - thanks for the advice aswell, sounds like a good method actually. Where do i get Johnsons Klear? im guessing any supermarkets should have it?

rjwood_uk

yes about £3 a bottle (one bottle will last a lifetime as you simply dip the parts in, and let the exess drip back into the bottle!)

should be in the cleaning section.

e.g. kitchen townl, washing liquid...e.tc

great stuff!!!

5thelement

Cheers, does it have any other uses in modelling?

John

It's also a floor shine

It gives your floor a brilliant shine and keeps it easy to clean

__________________
Free email address click --> here

Bunkerbarge

That is if you have any spare time with all the models you have to make!!

Bunkerbarge

Barry,

The tape idea sounds interesting as it will also give a bit of releaf to the frame. I don't know how much the texture of the masking tape will show but I will certainly have a play with that at some point.

I can see it working reaaly well with something like an Me 109 or Me 110 canopy which are quite square in design.

Maybe it would look even better if you cut it into strips first then painted it so that the edges were all painted as well.

rjwood_uk

yea its a really good idea, i have a 110 to make (some cheap 1:144 one i found brand new in a charity shop)

the canopy in the kit has about 3 supports going across it where as we all know it is ment to have a lot more! so im going to have a go at the tape idea, although as richard says, cutting it first is probably a good idea!

time to get out my sergical scalpol!