Cockpit masking

[jetdx]

This same topic may have already come up. Let me know what you have had success with and maybe what has been said before.

How do you others mask off a finished cockpit for fuselage painting?

As you probably know most, if not all, a/c models require you to put a finished, or almost finished, cockpit in half of the fuselage before putting the two halves of the fuselage together. Maybe I am doing it all wrong but I always have to paint the fuselage with a finished, or almost finished cockpit already installed. I have played with several different ways of masking off my cockpit before painting. It seams as though "custom" self cut foam fitted into the cockpit works best, for me.

Is that the best way of accomplishing that?

THX

[Charlie Cheetah]

I used to just tape over the cockpit opening then spray paint, and hand paint the canopy frames before attaching it. Now what I do is mask off the clear portions of the canopy leaving the frames exposed. I then attach the fixed portions of the canopy permanently with Micro Crystal Clear, then tack the opening part of the canopy in place with doubled over masking tape. If you dont get a tight fit you may want to add some tape or paper under the clear parts to catch any over spray. I start by painting the interior color of the frames, then I do the overall extrior colors.

Main thing to remember is that its your model. Whatever you are comfortable doing is the right method for you if it works.

ps: Tamiya Tape is the best stuff to there is to mask off canopies with. I've been using it since the late '90's and it hasnt let me down yet.

[Stona]

I spray with canopy fitted and sealed (blu-tac). This makes the non-sliding parts,like the windscreen on a typical WWII fighter, merge much better with the rest of the airframe. Otherwise they can look what they are - stuck on.

[jetdx]

OK...yes that is what I like to read...keep them coming! :) What I should have pointed out is that I mainly mean when canopies are open.

[Miccara]

Although I do mask them off once in a while, I find sometimes people get a little carried away with masking for painting. Most of the time I get away with using post it notes and a bit of card stock in one hand and the airbrush in the other.

[jetdx]

Although I do mask them off once in a while, I find sometimes people get a little carried away with masking for painting. Most of the time I get away with using post it notes and a bit of card stock in one hand and the airbrush in the other.

*nodding* HMMMM I might just try that....THX KEEP 'EM COMING!!!

[C-130CrewChief]

I like to temp install the canopy. Just like I read above. It works the best and leaves the cockpit protected throughout the entire build. In the end the canopy will be the last thing revealed. I use Elmers white glue to glue the canopy down. When I want to remove it I can easily flake the glue off.

Curt

[modelhead]

I usually use Tamiya tape to mask canopies, the kit I'm working on now I used Bare Metal Foil to mask the clear areas and I really liked it. I just put a piece of foil on a section, burnish the edges down with a wooden toothpick then take a new #11 blade and follow the outline of the canopy. Pull the excess foil off and spray away!

Tom

[Bryan Dewberry]

I usually paint with the canopy off and either tape over the cockpit opening with blue painter's tape or stuff it with tissue (being careful not to over-stuff it so I don't break anything small).