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Clear part fitting


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I recently finished two Phantoms, and what really let them down was the fit of the multiple canopy parts.

I find my self sticking to the way I did it as a kid, which is to try to fit them after the model is painted and decaled, so unless you are lucky they just do not fit quite right, and it is hard to fix

As I try to get better with each model, I am wondering what the best way is to get a good fit? I am inclined to mask, and sand and fill like any another part earlier in construction.

Any other suggestion, hints, tips you have picked up along the way?

Thanks

Edited by Kurt H.
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Kurt - You answered your own question. Like you, when I first got back into the hobby, masking a canopy (especially one with small windows and compound curves, both of which are found on the Phantom) seemed awfully tedious and generally an enormous pain in the butt. HOWEVER, after much trial and error I realized that there is simply no way around it, IF you want satisfactory results. As such, once I learned to EMBRACE THE SUCK, I found that not only was the whole masking thing all that bad or daunting, I rather came to enjoy it. Try it on your next one and I believe your results will speak for themselves and you will never look back in additional to acquiring a new skill in a hobby where we never stop improving. You'll be glad you did. Take that to the bank.

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My way of approaching canopies and wind shields is to treat them just like any other kit part. I mask, then test fit, trying for the best possible fit that I can achieve. Then I glue the wind shield to the fuselage. Putty and sand as necessary.

Joel

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Test fit repeatedly til the parts fit the way you want, before you put on paint. Then after you're done with primary painting I bring on the windscreen with Gators Grip glue, which has a way of acting like a gap filler while an adhesive. any small gaps or lines detected can be carefully dabbed with mr surfacer then wiped flush with a dampened Q-tip. It's possible to fit on all the clear parts and leave them for painting but its risky, how many surplus clear parts do most kits include? And more importantly - are you 100% sure you have sealed up the cockpit so that no spray can intrude? Kinda hard to remove overspray on parts that are mounted. I'll take a hairline seam at the join anyday over overspray.

Edited by metroman
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My normal routine is to install the canopy after painting. I always dry fit & sand or shim till there are no gaps & a good fit, then paint and clear coat them separately with the fuselage. I use Kristal Klear to attach them & it's usually the last part of the build. I do it this way because my paint jobs can stretch for weeks sometimes & I don't like to leave canopies masked very long.

BW

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I mount before painting and then mask with Parafilm. It's fine to leave on for a bit. I do cut the edge of the film before pulling off for a clean edge

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