canopy seem lines

[Guest]

how can i remove seem lines from canopies without the risk of scratching them?

is this one of Barry's toothpaste tricks?

if so..how do i go about it?

thanks

[Guest]

can anyone help please?

[wonwinglo]

Well RJ,the only way that you are going to remove the seams is by first masking off the clear polished areas with masking tape,then rubbing down the seams carefully using plenty of water,plus a small piece of fine wet and dry paper,go careful otherwise you could easily go through the tape itself.

Best to cover the entire canopy in tape first,even two layers,then carefully with a small blade cut the seams clear,you could try scraping the seams which should work,then finish off with the wet and dry paper.

Place a lump of Bluetak inside the canopy and plunge a piece of dowel into it,this will assist holding the canopy while you work on it,but go careful,and work slowly.

[Guest]

You will need very fine grade Wet & Dry, I have some 2000 grit at home for polishing metal contact surfaces. The best you will get at halfords is usually in the range of 600 grit.

To get the really good stuff you will have to look for automotive paint suppliers on the net. It's not cheap but a packet will last you a lifetime.

[Guest]

i have some 1200.

but i just realised. the seam is only raised microscopic amounts, but it goes all the way through so there is no way i could remove it.

im just going to have to hope it dosnt not show up to much once i have done the tinting.

thanks anyway

[Guest]

Howdy RJ,

Sorry I was unable to reply this thread earlier, I started back to work this week and I just got home a few minutes ago.

Anyway, I had meant to pass along this "turtorial" last week and just didnt get around to it.

Now I realize you said that the seam line goes "thru" the plastic in the canopy, and this probably wont help in that instance, but, for future reference, this should come in handy:

NOTE WHICH MODEL THIS TUTORIAL CONCERNS.

Thanks to Scott Van Aken for this tutorial

http://www.modelingmadness.com/scotts/basics/buff.htm

Polishing clear plastic:

There comes a time in most modeling, when one comes to the clear plastic parts. Often times, these parts are scratched due to poor packaging or they are molded in such a way that there is a mold seam in them. The Hasegawa 1/48 F-16 is such a case. In order to mold the very complex canopy curves, it is necessary for there to be a mold seam.

Often, the new builder will ignore such things, but as one improves, there is a need to remove such things. Fortunately, it is very easy to do.

First one needs several grades of sandpaper. I use the Flexi-file Flex-pads. They come in a set from very rough to very fine and they are all that is needed to accomplish this task. Cost is around $11.00 retail for the set.

Starting with the 320 grit stick, gently sand away the seam. Once that is done, use the 600 grit stick. It is a good idea to wet sand with these as to lighten up on the pressure as one sands. Now you can go straight to the polishing stick (which you don't want to wet sand with), but I have a sheet of 1200 grit that I use.

When using the polishing stick, there are three grades. The coarsest is dark grey, which you can use instead of the 1200 grit. Next, go to the white and finally use the medium grey side. Always start off with some pressure and lighten up as it becomes clearer. Again, no water with the polishing stick.

Finally, you can buff it with an old shirt. or if you really want to, there are a number of plastic polishes that work well. If you have a piece of nylon stocking, that will help buff it even more. The canopy can then be dipped in Future should you wish, but I'd wait until after painting to do so as the Future may come off on your masking material.

Using the images, you can see how the canopy becomes more and more clear as we go through the extra steps of sanding and polishing. Total time; about 5 minutes.

See how easy that was? This works just as well if you spill glue or paint on the part. Now you no longer have to put up with scratched or marred canopies.

Scott Van Aken

I hope that someone finds this information useful, have a good day all,

Greg

[Guest]

yea greg i instantly regognised that canopy!

but to be honest i am not going to risk it as it was sooo hard to get this kit i cant imagine what it would be like getting spares.

so maybe when i have a kit that is more easily obtainable i will give this a try!

thanks alot by the way!

Richard

[Guest]

Richard Greg is dead right its a easy job just take your time I remember a f14 canopy that i had to do in the end you would never of noticed