I am getting ready to build Trumpeter's CH-47A. I plan on dipping the canopy in Future (never did this before), and I plan on using Frisket film to mask the canopy prior to installation and painting. If I let the Future cure for say, 48-72 hours, will there be any problems masking with the Frisket? Any other thoughts, comments, or recommendations?

Thanks in advance.
Thomas

thomas

I can't speak about frisket film as I haven't used it for maskinhg canopies (yet).

However I use the Australian equivalent of Future and then mask with Tamiya tape after 24+ hours without any problems. I don't know how "sticky/tacky" frisket is, Tamiya is certainly low tack.

So I imagine that as long as the Future has had sufficient time to properly cure you shouldn't have any problems.

Mind you I have said this from the safety of the Pacific Ocean away from you :-) so if I have got it wrong you won't be knocking on my door in a hurry .

If you don't have a spare canopy to practice on first then maybe wait until someone more knowledgeable than me responds.

Brian

Brian,

Thanks. I'm not tied to Frisket, so perhaps I'll try the Tamiya tape.

And I will practice on an old canopy first!

Thomas

I use Tamiya tape all the time after "future". I have never had an issue. Even using stronger tape. I think the key is making sure it has cured fully before masking.
Good luck.

Ted

Ted,

Thanks. Tamiya tape it will be.

Before dipping, make sure that the clear parts are clean (being dust-free isn't a bad thing either ) . While the future may stick well, the coat is more likely to lift if the parts have oils from your hands while handling them. After experiencing some lifting with a canopy after drying for a day, I've taken the habit of allowing at least 48h before masking.
Tamiya tape is what I use too. The best tape I've tried. I really don't know how I managed to struggle with Scotch's magic tape. (nothing wrong with it, but just isn't the right stuff for masking canopies)

Eetu,

Thanks for the tip on cleaning the parts first. I knew that, but didn't think about it, and probably would have forgotten to do it! Now I will remember!

I use Frisket over future all the time and never ever had a problem.
Sometimes the stuff has been on for months and peeled off the future dipped parts like it was done yesterday...

Paul,

Thanks. I think I'll practice with both.

If you haven't used future before, it will pool in places on the canopy. Mostly around the curves and bends. Get rid of the excess with a clean brush, preferably an old one or a cheap one because it won't last too long after you future it.

I don't know if there is an article on this site about it, would be surprised if there wasn't though. Have a search.

I agree with Emeritus regarding Tamiya tape for canopy masking; its a lot thinner and the lighter colour makes it easier to see the frame lines. I use Scotchtape for the fuselage.

Cheers
Wiz

I haven't had any problems with future pooling in. After dipping, I touch the lower edges of the canopy to a piece of tissue to absorb to the extra future that might cause problems. (Using a brush to remove the excess should be done as soon as possible after dipping to prevent brushmarks. I have found the tissue-method working fine, as future is quite runny out of the bottle)
The coat of future will then usually look thick, but it levels out nicely.

Wiz, Eetu,

Thanks for the tips. Looks like I will definitely practice a few times before I'm ready for prime time!

One more thing. Putting the dipped parts on a piece of tissue to dry helps further absorb excess future, and putting a plastic freezing container or similar over them will keep dust away as they dry.

Good point. Don't need all that dust embedded in the finish.

Thanks to all for your tips!