How do you guys do it?

I have about 5 pieces of photoetch to glue inside a canopy and the first try was a total failure. What could possibly go wrong did go wrong.

There are two longer pieces of etch along the bottom of the canopy and two that go from one side to another (inside the canoopy, like a reversed U).

The paint came off the photoetch, glue all over the place, scratches on the canopy, etc... I ended up removing all the pieces and now I'm going to have to try and sand/polish the canopy to hopefully restore it. At this point I'm not even sure I want to try it again. I may just not use it altogether. How do you guys do it?

You might try using good old fashion white glue.
Since these parts really suffer from no stressing after the glue dries, it should be sufficient for modeling needs. Also, Future may work and server the same purpose.

Humbrol Clearfix is my suggestion. It is a bit stickier than white glue and not as runny as Future. Like both Future and white glue, it doesn't harm the plastic.

A good idea is also to "pre-bend" the etch before painting. It doesn't have to fit in place perfectly but having the rough shape before painting will reduce the amount of strain on the paintwork when installing the etch.

One final word on etch in canopies: No, I don't like it all either

Magnus

Thanks for the help. I managed to salvage the canopy yesterday, so I have another chance at it.

Masking tape can be used to both protect the inside of the canopy and help position the parts. And if that's not enough, you can use a thin marker pen to draw furfher marks on the tape.

Wonderful idea!! Thanks a lot!