Evening. I am a relative beginner, with a couple of shoddy 1:72 Spitfires and Bf 109s behind me. I am stepping up a gear with my current build, Revell's Heinkel 111 in 1:72, which I'm finding rather challenging. I'm taking it very slowly and am enjoying learning how to use various things like glues/puttys/paints/airbrushes and all the techniques that go withthem. I have great faith that this one will turn out well. It cant be worse than the last 2.

Following the lead from various site forums, I bought some Bare Metal Foil and have used it to mask the canopies(no small job). I now realise, having stuck the canopy on, that It will get several layers of paint and klear before I attempt to remove it. What do I do then? How do I get it off without damaging the 'glass'. Do you recommend running a knife along all the edges(again)? Should I bottle it and use Tamiya tape instead?

You thoughts are appreciated,
James

PS Can anyone tell me how to use Milliput, or show me a link to somewhere that can tell me. Ta.

PPS If someone can tell me how to add a photo to a thread, I can show what I've done so far.

I've just realised the last bit for myself. Just click the photo icon above/below and there it is. Yeah, yeah...

Welcome to aeroscale,

I really like using BMF for canopy masking. My MO is

1. Cover the canopy
2. Cut around the framing and discard.
3. Paint interior colour and allow to cure
4. Paint exterior colour and allow to cure
5. Remove mask with a wooden cocktail stick

Last night I took the masking off a Wyvern that had sat for six months, it was a little tougher to get off but no real problems. Wouldn't recommend leaving it on too long though.

It is pretty much foolproof if I can use it.

A wooden cocktail stick! Well, every day is school day. Thank you for the tips. I will paint away with renewed confidence that I havent made a huge mistake. Cant wait to take the masking off, but may be some weeks before painting all done. Patience.

Thanks again, James

Just remember the longer Bare metal foil stays on, the harder it is to remove, and leaves more adhesive behind. Best to plan your canopy maskings and spraying accordingly. Mask it, spray interior color, let dry - spray final color, then remove mask as soon as you can. (you may also need to lightly score again around your mask so you don't pull off any of the paint layers.)
The foil is extremeley thin and fragile, and only very light pressure is needed to cut to around the frames.

Id also like to add if you use BMF when removeing it it sometimes leaves behind the adhesive simply get a cotton bud and rubbing alcohol will take it off careful around the paint.if it leaves a haze go over top of your windows with a coat of future and a brush.Good luck hope this helped



Build On,
Justin

Thanks, I never even considered trying rubbing alcohol to remove the adhesive.

Thanks again. Sounds like scoring along edges is a wise idea. Will plan better next time and leave masking til last minute. Will get rubbing alcohol if necessary, although heard Windex does same thing.

James

good tips here, thanks!
I've tried BMF for masking twice with miserable results.
But I was cutting it and placing it like masking tape, not just covering the whole canopy and cutting away with a very sharp knife.

I bought Eduard Masks for my current build, but I think I'll try BMF again on my next plane.

Do you think the BMF is easier to remove if you give the canopy a dip in Future first?

Just wanted to see if I can a photo onto the thread...

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That worked well..

Hurray

looks clean.

Post a painted photo when you're done!

Using Tamiya tape is my preference i normally do two ways of applying it.

1. similar to the BMF i apply the tape and burnish it down and cut away the frame the a sharp #11 blade.

2. it the frame isn't very clear i mark out the area for masking with very thin bits of tape and then fill the remaining area with tape.

Hope this make sense.

Hi James. When I use BMF, I like to use baby oil to remove the adhesive. I dip a Micro Brush into the baby oil, you don.t need a lot. I dab the Micro Brush onto a towel to take away the excess baby oil and then wipe away the adhesive. Hope this helps, Wingman out.

Top tip. Ta.

James