Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

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SteveC
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Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by SteveC »

Hello All,

I recently finished the old Airfix P51D Mustang, and masking both the front and back of the canopy bottom were very problematic because of all the curves involved.

I eventually resorted to masking a short length at a time, which was very time consuming, but even then masking the very back I found next to impossible.

Any advice or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Regards,

Steve
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DavidWomby
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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by DavidWomby »

I just bought some of this stuff hoping to make that kind of masking easier but haven't tried it yet as I am away from home for a month.

http://www.rcjaz.com/tamiya-87177-maski ... 69396.html

David
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fredk
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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by fredk »

That new Tamiya tape is supposed to be the bees-kneez.
Normally I do the canopy masking in small strips or blocks of Tamiya or Frog tape. Sometimes I put a dab of liquid latex over the tape joints. Liquid latex, the same as Humbrol Maskol but without ammonia or pink colouring.
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coptermech
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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by coptermech »

I use tape like this. Available in different widths and very flexible for curves.

http://www.amazon.com/Thin-Pinstriping- ... B00BH3NARO;
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rednef6
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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by rednef6 »

I use bare metal foil for masking my canopies.
I have also heard good things about the tamiya tape ,
although have never used it

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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by JamesPerrin »

I just apply ample Tamiya tape and trim with a sharp scalpel blade. I make use of straight edges (eg at the canopy/screen split) where I can.
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SteveC
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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by SteveC »

Thank You All very much, most helpful indeed.

The really fine tape looks the way to go. It wasn't helped by the cockpit framing being either very indistinct or non-existent. Thankfully there wasn't very much to mask! The task was made more difficult by an irritating gap on both sides of the cockpit front, just where the paint scheme changed from Olive Drab to Natural Metal.

I got it done in the end, but it took me several sessions, which for what was actually involved seemed a great deal of effort :frown: .

Finished pictures on my workbench window.

Best Regards,

Steve
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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by Dazzled »

Or you could just cut Tamiya tape into thin strips. A hard cutting surface (eg a bit of floor tile), a sharp scalpel and a steel rule are all you need. Apply the strips around the edges then fill in the centres. 8-)
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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by Michael modeller 48 »

dwomby wrote:I just bought some of this stuff hoping to make that kind of masking easier but haven't tried it yet as I am away from home for a month.

http://www.rcjaz.com/tamiya-87177-maski ... 69396.html

David
I have some of this tape. Thanks I will try this tape for my airfix p-51 mustang at is in my stash.
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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by Michael modeller 48 »

fredk wrote:That new Tamiya tape is supposed to be the bees-kneez.
Normally I do the canopy masking in small strips or blocks of Tamiya or Frog tape. Sometimes I put a dab of liquid latex over the tape joints. Liquid latex, the same as Humbrol Maskol but without ammonia or pink colouring.
Fred,

Will Mircosoft liquid mask do a similar as liquid latex and Humbrol Maskol?
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fredk
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Re: Masking Curved Cockpit Canopies (Think P51D)

Post by fredk »

I do not know as I have never used it nor have any knowledge of it; but I think it will do ok going by its name
Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..
Its not just how good your painting is, its how good the touch-ups are too.
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