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Resin canopies - do they yellow?


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I'm planning on making a clear canopy, should I go the clear epoxy way or the thermoforming way? I read thermoformed parts yellow over time, but then I also read this about clear epoxy 😕 What's everyone experience on this topic?

 

I believe Haneto made F-15C canopies for the GWH kit, did anyone use it and have any yellowing issue (even though it's only been a couple of years)?

 

Thank you,

 

Arnaud

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I have one of Haneto’s sets for the GWH F-15 and the set has yellowed so much that it isn’t useable! So I am going to have to use his set as a master and pour a new one with clear resin in order to save the model.  I have to believe that the resin he used was a very poor quality!  I have clear resin pieces that I have made that are still clear after several years!  The set he made would have corrected a major issue with the GWH F-15, if it were not for the quality of the final product!  Might be something to look into for BAM Models Arnaud!

I’d be in for at least 5 sets to cover the Eagle kits I have in the stash right now!  Something to think about!

Edited by ORANGF15Guy
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Interesting question; some time ago, I saw a video on making car lens replacements in resin; because of the application, this material is supposed to be very clear and UV resistant. I wondered if it could be helpful for your intended purpose and not yellow over time.

 

https://www.smooth-on.com/tutorials/creating-replacement-car-lens-crystal-clear-202/

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Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm sorry to hear the F-15C set's yellowing issues, I guess I'll cast test pieces today with the two different clear resins I have, let them exposed outside and see how it behaves over time.

 

Arnaud

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Here's a clear epoxy casting I made recently. At the front is the kit part.

 

g1-79.jpg

 

And here's the same resin after 1 month in the Dutch summer sun. Nothing has happened so far. I just did a quick check, at 1 3/4 month, again nothing has changed.

 

g1-86.jpg

 

But it's difficult to extrapolate this to years. More here: https://robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/models/g1.htm

 

If so go the vacform route, I've always understood that PET-G (Vivak) is the safest solution, i.e. non-yellowing.

 

Rob

 

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Arnaud,

I have my set available if you would like me to take some pictures of the yellowing so that you can see what it’s like?  Let me know.  I have also seen some two part clear resins that say they will not yellow due to UV protection!  Please let me know if you would like images 

Brad

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  • 2 months later...
On 9/24/2022 at 7:39 PM, Rob de Bie said:

This photo was made today, after 45 days of exposure. The part on the left is the original kit part. I don't see any discoloration.  Looks promising!

 

g1-87.jpg

 

Rob

 

Hello Rob, it's now been a few months, how is the resin behaving? Which brand of resin did you use by the way?

 

Thank you so much,

 

Arnaud

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I ended the exposure on 29 October 2022, since summer had long ended here. Total outdoors exposure was 80 days, and I did not see any discoloration in that time. I think the material is safe to use for an indoors display.

 

What I used is 'Epoxy Crystal Clear Pro' from Silicones And More, a Dutch supplier. I'm pretty sure it's a rebranded generic (Chinese?) resin. You would be able to spot it under another brandname, because of its extreme potlife and cure time, ~10 hours and ~100 hours respectively!

 

Rob

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Awesome, glad to hear such good news!

 

100 hours curing time?? Wow! Maybe that's one of the reasons why it yellows so little, apparently fast curing time = heat = yellowing

 

Thank you so much for doing the test, merry Christmas!

 

Arnaud

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