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How to: Decal Canopy Frames
Jessie_C
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Friday, December 14, 2012 - 02:30 PM UTC
The familiar "birdcage" canopy from the early part of the Second World War has often caused frustration. Here's a simple method to make your models look sharp using decal trim film.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
AussieReg
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Posted: Friday, December 14, 2012 - 11:09 PM UTC
Great tutorial Jessica, and a really neat technique. I will definitely be trying this one out in the near future.

Thanks for sharing.

Cheers, D
David_StoryModels
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Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2012 - 11:21 AM UTC
good tutorial Jessica
I'm very tempted to try it
lancnut
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Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2012 - 02:14 PM UTC
Hi Jessica
I've tried this in past,but couldn't stop the paint from flaking off the decal when I cut it. Do you use acrylic as I tried or enamels? Thanks,
Jessie_C
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Posted: Saturday, December 15, 2012 - 04:36 PM UTC
I used enamels for this demonstration, and quite hot water when soaking them. I do agree that the paint may flake, especially when it's bent sharply. It's been my experience that the thicker the paint, the more likely it is to flake.
melkavitch
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Posted: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - 01:31 PM UTC
Do you coat the canopy with Future at any time?
Jessie_C
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Posted: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 - 03:30 PM UTC
Generally after the decals have dried and any necessary tweaking has been done I'll seal it all down with Future. Once that's dry the frames may or may not get a brushing with clear flat.
amegan
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Posted: Sunday, January 20, 2013 - 09:51 AM UTC
I've done this using spare decals from kits and a single brush coat Tamiya acrylic without problems, most recently on my Arado Ar196 for Ancient Airfix campaign. Masks are better if available, this is my preferred alternative.
North4003
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Posted: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 - 07:37 AM UTC
Excellent tutorial. Window frames have been one of my hang ups.
md72
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Posted: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 - 07:58 AM UTC
Ah, jessica, you reminded me of this just Days after I finished taping all the glass on my Airfix P-61

I've also used painted decal film for other features, like the scuff strips on my F-102 (that I forgot to paint when I did the rest of the flat black )

golfermd
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Posted: Friday, June 28, 2013 - 04:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Once that's dry the frames may or may not get a brushing with clear flat.



Jessica, what's your source of clear flat?
Jessie_C
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Posted: Tuesday, July 02, 2013 - 08:15 AM UTC
I use Humbrol mostly, but any brushable clear flat coat will work.
golfermd
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Posted: Wednesday, July 03, 2013 - 05:52 AM UTC
Thanks...
Joel_W
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Posted: Sunday, July 21, 2013 - 12:14 AM UTC
Many years ago I used this very technique for 1/72 scale aircraft. Simple and effective. Back then all we had was enamel paints. There was a certain amount of stretch in the dried paint, which would makes it preferable over acrylics.
Joel
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