Finishing crystal clear canopies on scale model aircraft - how to guide
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 พ.ค. 2017
- How to best prepare clear plastic parts for AMAZING scale model aircraft. In particular, I'll show you how to use Future floor polish (also called Pledge) to get a crystal clear finish on your transparent plastic model canopy, but there's much more - I share techniques, pointers on how to avoid common problems and troubleshoot messy or murky clear plastic, how to avoid frosting or fogging of clear parts when you glue them to your model plane, how to fix flaws or imperfections, and polish out scratches in the clear plastic parts. The canopy I am working on is the bubbletop of a 1/32 Hasegawa P-51D Mustang, but this works for all scales.
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If I may suggest this, when you are letting your Parts to dry over night or 24-hours, cover them with a Bowl or a Drinking Glass. This will help protect the Parts from unwanted things in the air such Pet Hairs, Lint, and Dust from landing on the Parts while they are still WET... That's what I do with mine Clear Parts.
Great suggestion! Thanks. Definitely a good idea - consider this a Second P.S. to the video! ;) Dave
I use a small plastic container with a sheet of paper towel on the bottom and a lid to seal mine up. I always wait several days before taking them out.
MH53JTom in fact I used to do it, but now I have a new method is more efficient. You can put the transparent parts in front of a air outlet it could avoid the dust or other dirts, in the same time it would be more helpful with drying. That is my experience.
Dave's Model Workshop - I was only able to find a lemon scented Pledge at my local Coles, just wondering if it makes any difference?
PJ B that can be used for shine and protect. You can use it for protection of models surface. As a replacement of gloss. But it not work for transparent parts' crystalline.
After dipping and blotting on the tissue or paper towel I then set it on wax paper with a cover on it to prevent dust. The wax paper prevents the possibility of it sticking or pulling particles from the tissue. I usually find a styrofoam or clear plastic cup to cover it while it dries. Hope that makes sense. Love the videos!
I use humbrol clear vanish dip canopy in and out looks like glass !!! Good videos you do dave 👍
Thanks John!
First video of yours I've seen, it's both a helpful video but your commentary/personality style are great. Thanks for the vid man, I'll be checking out more of your stuff.
Hi George, thanks very much for the feedback mate :) I hope you find lots of inspiration! Cheers, Dave
Thank you for all you’re help. :) this new hobby is really working out great for me! You’ve taught me SO SO MUCH!
Great video & great tip, mate - thanks! A couple of tips of my own - I use a small, fine-toothed razor saw to remove clear parts from the sprue, doesn't make stress-marks in the styrene, and clean-up is a doddle. And toothpaste is good for polishing out scratches (don't use the stuff with bicarb in, it can be a bit too aggressive). Thanks again, keep 'em coming!
Great stuff. will use this. Really look forward to the results
Pledge what an eye opener, thanks for this I will give it a shot
Very well done. Best vid on this subject yet. Good call warning about contamination when drying. Cheers mate.
Thanks Lance, that's very humbling to read your comment. Cheers.
Great idea. I'll definitely try it
Such good tutoring!! Thank you
Very useful, thank you!
Love the finish it leaves, and soooooooo good to find another Aussie channel for modelling, makes a nice change hearing all the aussie'isms throughout 😁 am just getting back into modelling after a hiatus of many many years, and thoroughly looking forward to it.
Cheers from western Sydney and have a safe and happy New Year!!!!
Thanks Tippo! Happy new year to you, welcome to 2022!
Wiping plastic with Micro Fiber towels will leave far less marks. A tissue will leave scratches
Hi Dave congratulations on your magazine contribution i will endeavor to head out and buy it today i also live in Australia Perth , also thanks for taking the time to make your videos i don't think there is one that i have not seen. i have just got back into making models and thanks to you my first model looks better than any other i have ever made in the past back in the 70s cheers Dave
Hi Michael, thank you so, so much for that comment. It makes me very happy to hear what you said, it really means a lot to me. Is there anywhere online I can see your builds? Cheers mate, Dave
@@DavesModelWorkshop Hi Dave. Loved the "Ah....BOLLOCKS!!" at 4.44!! That's modelling!! Thanks for your tips!! They've helped me build better models too! 👍
Thanks Dave
Great job 👍
tried works like a charm!!!! thank you
Excellent - glad to hear it! :)
Gday Dave, i have the same stuff at home and its the best even for sealing as you know, When I seal the models and then use Tamiya panel wash, I clean it with zippo lighter fluid and its the best and the stuff doesn't yellow at all. great video made keep it up. .
great results! I have a phantom p 51 mustang and plan to treat all the clear parts this way. thanks. Tom brown
Hi Tom, thanks for the feedback - please let me know how you get on with your Mustang. Cheers, Dave
I actually had to stop the video to look up "Bob's your uncle". Its similar to us over here saying "There ya go", "put it in the books" or "Thats it in a nutshell". I now know some things i never knew before, like using Pledge floor polish for my canopy finish (great tip), and that Bob is my uncle and thats the ticket!
Heh heh, I'm glad I could be so educational for you! :) Dave
Thanks mate, ...I've been building models all my life but I didn't know this,.....Thanks PalGood luck , doin a great job .
Hi Ron, thanks for the feedback. Cheers! Dave
Thank you for the video really helped
Very nice.. Good to know that the yellow isn't an issue. My bottle of Future is 12 years old. Thanx for sharing.
Classic! Good to know someone else is holding on to theirs longer than me! :) Dave
Thansk for the advice.
Great video. Thank you so much.
Thank you!
Thank You!
"Ohh bollocks" best outtake ever, your videos are fantastic. Thanks for all the tips :)
Heh heh, that's pretty tame compared to my reactions when the camera isn't recording... ;)
Love it, great work
Thank you! Cheers!
It works very very well. It was one of the best tips i ever seen on yt ! 👍 👍 👍 thank you so much, top 👍 really
Hi Tom, thanks very much. It makes a big difference, doesn't it? Cheers, Dave
Very cool dave and i am glad you got rid of the red outline. I can't tell what videos I have watched.
Outlawflyer78 ah, bugger, this is an old video from before I started the red outline. I hadn’t considered the video bar along the bottom... hmmm, might have to rethink my design. Thanks for the heads-up.
Quick advice for anyone looking for the floor polish: At least in the US, it's called Pledge Revive It floor gloss and now comes in a clear bottle.
Great Video and also your voice there was pretty calming.
Heh heh, thanks Dimitry!
Great advice- cheers.
Thanks Martin :)
Thank you.👍🏼🫵🏼🫡
Perfection
Thanks Joe!
Great video and new sub from me.
Finding an Aussie who is into this aint easy.
I'm only starting to get back into this after a life changing event and looking forward to going through your vids.
Thanks!
Polishing canopies with an eyeglasses microfiber towel is a very safe and effective way bring up a great shine.
@@gjrljr Thanks heaps mate for the tip!
Hi Dave,
Love the channel.
Pledge don't appear to do that product any more.
Are you able to suggest an alternative product please?
Thank you
Only the best in my household lol
So do you dip again after removing any masking from painting the canopy frame part?
Thanks. Here in the USA I'm using Pledge floor/Future wax. I think you might have an old bottle of the stuff. It should not be yellow. I'm looking at a glass jar of it right now and it's crystal clear.
Good.
Bob's your uncle. You taught me a great lesson here thank you.
My pleasure, thanks for watching. I'm glad you found it valuable.
nice vid. i didn expect to dip it multiple times could improve the nibbed areas so much
Thanks :)
hi. very cool vid sir!! can this be used with painted parts? i painted the part with tamiya acrylics to be exact. thanks
Wonderful! Thank you for the tips. I’m subscribing.
givemetoast thanks mate! Dave
I just finished my SR-71 Blackbird before YT recommended this video! :|
Well, we'll get them the next time. Thanks for the tip!
There's always another to make :)
Glad I found this. I've just actually ordered some from the US and will be testing it out. Also through an airbrush hopefully.
I often airbrush Pledge/Future before decal application and then later to seal decals - it works a treat.
Dave's Model Workshop that's what I've heard and is good to hear another confirmation. I'd use it as cheaper top coat before weathering etc. Can't wait. Thanks for the info.
If you look at the ingredients on the bottle, you'll see Future is basically clear acrylic paint. Great stuff.
I know a lot of modellers slag off Future, but I find it does the job and it's cheap. That's a win/win for me. Dave
Looks great bro'thanks!!! Kutgw
I use tamiya sprue cutters they are amazing, i highly recommend them, I use them more than the exacto knife to be perfectly honest.
Really? Do you trim and clean up pieces once they are off the sprue with them as well?
so if i spray my model i have to waite 24 hrs properly dry time? to start working again?
Wet myself, thanks Dave!! Oh Bollocks!!! I know that feeling
Heh heh!
I've known about this for a while but the biggest problem has always been finding it in Australia. I've just looked that the one you show no longer seems available do you know what it's called or what I can use in its place?
Is "Pledge No One" kind of a liquid detergent for cleaning and shining the ground tiles?
Thank you for this tutorial. One question- do you need to sand away the edges that will be ca glued, or do you apply the ca right over the Future?
I don't sand away the Future - if you do so, you may still get fogging of the canopy (the Future protects it from reacting with the CA glue). The bond isn't quite as strong as a result, I will admit, but it saves you from the dreaded fogging. Dave
Dave. Good work. Wat are you using in mid 2022 to replace this product. regards
You’re going to hate me, but I’m still using the same old bottle of Future. No help, huh? :) I have heard that Bunnings sells a floor polish that works similarly.
Hey, does any other floor polish work with this? or just Pledge?
Great video Dave, when would you paint the canopy frame?
Hi Eric, I paint the frame after I have dipped the canopy. The paint adheres just fine to the floor polish.
Great presentation. Many thanks.
Thanks for your feedback Matt :)
Thinking a bit of silver aluminum framing (foil or Molotow marker) would cover that blemish.
great tutorial, there seems to be a mark on the front canopy about a third the way up from the front, is that another imperfection or part of the canopy as it should be?
Hi Jeff, I think that was part of the moulding of the canopy frame.
dear Dave's Model Workshop i have damaged an A-37 DRAGON FLY canopy....any ideas??? i am desperate...
Do you paint the edges after you dip the canopy in the floor polish? I've got some complicated masking to do with a coat of airbrushing for the exposed rails and canopy dividers. Just want to know if that should be done before or after you dip in the polish? Great video. I've subscribed!
hi Richard, yes, any canopy framework needs to be painted after the canopy is dipped, otherwise you will have glossy metal frameworks if you do it the other way around. Cheers, Dave
Neat idea, never thought of it. Do you paint the frames on the clear pieces or just leave them as is??
I paint the frames after dipping in the polish.
So, I'm working on a helicopter. It has what's call an IFF. It has a red mirror type look on it. How do I reproduce the effect. The model is the US ARMY OH 58D. Thank you
Great video. You definitely get nice results with the Future, but my only concern is that, having wax as a base, does that leave the paint on the frame bits more vulnerable to scratches?
Hi J. Lee, I guess so, but it's never really been an issue for me. In theory you could be right, but I've never noticed paint adhesion issues. Dave
Johnson Future does not contain wax even though "wax" is in the name on some bottles. If you check the ingredients listed on the bottle it contains water, acrylic, ether & TBEP plasticizer.
Hi. Thanks for a good tip, but how does this affect masking and painting of the canopy?
You just do those things after it has been dipped and dried.
Do you paint before dipping in the polish or afterwards as I don't want the masking tape to leave any residue
Dave's Model Workshop awesome thankyou the only reason why I ask is that I'm currently working on a 1/48 airfix desert storm tornado and has a rather large canopy. Thanks again really enjoy the videos
Dave's Model Workshop awesome thankyou. Also can I use future instead of micro sol?
And is tamiya flatbase the same thing as the testors dullcote?
Sorry for these probably stupid questions but some of these techniques are very new to me still.
Hi Jody, MicroSol is for settling decals, to make them conform better to the shape underneath them. Slightly different uses. Tamiya flatbase is much the same as Testors Dullcote, they do pretty much the same thing. And never apologise for asking questions, it's all good! Cheers, D
Dave's Model Workshop thankyou I think i will try it out on a tester first as I've been told that the tamiya flatbase leaves the decals cloudy if you use it by itself as in i will be hand painting it as don't have a airbrush. Thankyou again.
Dave's Model Workshop Dave, you can use it for decals as well. It prevents silvering under the decals. This is best way to prevent it on Matt finishes. Apply over area that needs decal. Apply decal while still wet. Useing cotton bud roll out the bubles and excess. If you need too, apply the decal setting solution, let dry. Add Matt finish and your good to go. That is the same stuff I told u about on painting the vynal tracks figures or any part u want the paint to stick. Just use it as a primer.
Hi could you have any tips or do a video on how to create jet aircraft exhaust heat staining possibly with a brush as I can't afford to purchase a airbrush setup
Hi Jody, I've not done one simply because I don't build jets generally. I build only prop planes. I know the effect you mean though. Dave
Dave's Model Workshop ok no worries thankyou.
I don't know were you live but in the US I bought an airbrush kit for 10$ at Harbor Freight tool store. It is a tool used for making cakes. It works great. You still need an air compressor to power it. Harbor Freight is a great place to get one. Get one that has a tank to store the air. Air brushing makes such a big difference. Easy to use too.
jody reynolds Tamiya sells different weathering kits that would work nicely for you. They come in little boxes like women’s makeup and come with a tiny foam applicator brush, the same ones you can buy in the beauty section of your local store.
will paint masking pull the layer up when it is removed?
I've never had it do that, no. You're safe.
Tanks for the tip !!! Do you use any barnish after mask and paint the clear parts?
Hi Alfredo, no, once I have painted it and removed the mask, I don't apply anything else to it. If the masking tape leaves any residue, I clean that off and apply a tiny amount of floor polish, but that usually isn't required.
Thanks you Dave, I apply this method in my nexts models. Hugs from Brazil!
Gday Dave was keen to know where abouts you from in aus. I’m in Fremantle, Perth.
OlliePOV Aus hi mate. I’m from Melbourne:)
With regard to the yellow issue, I believe it doesn't matter because the layer adhering to the canopy is so thin. The Pledge doesn't 'yellow' the plastic over time. Plastic food wrap exhibits the same characteristics. It can look slightly colored when layered thick on the roll but appears clear when you look through a single ply.
Thanks Paul, I totally agree, it's just not an issue that I've ever encountered. Thanks mate, Dave
Hi Dave It looks like the Pledge "One go" you showed is no longer being sold. Do you have the name of a new equivalent product?
HI Marcello, I don't sorry. But any clear floor polish should do the trick. Obviously, test it first on a spare piece of sprue though!
Try a diamond file. Works for me.
Humbrol Clear does the same... been doing that for years. But then again, everyone has his/her own methods.
Great tip, have passed link to my grand son, don't understand why the dislikes, guess you can't please folks all the time :-)
Mate, I wondered about the dislikes the first few times I got them on videos. Then I realised just as you say, there will always be some people who you can't please. As long as it stays in a small minority I figure I must be doing something right, if the dislikes got to be say 20-30% as high as the likes I would re-assess what I was doing! Thanks, please let me know how your grandson goes with his build :) Dave
Dave's Model Workshop have watched again and can't see what's to dislike, l passed the link via my son who loved your Ozzie laid back style of delivery, it might be some time before l hear back from grandson as he is a Uny
Great video, thanks !
Am new to this game ( well after about a 40yr lay off 😁) Do you paint the canopy frames before or after treating ? If after, are there any additional things to consider?
Thanks in advance 😊
Hi Nigel, I paint the canopy frames after dipping in the gloss, so that the framework isn't glossier than the surrounding fuselage paint (which it would be if you painted the frame first, then dipped). Re: additional things - i can't think of any, just be careful with masking and you should be good :) Cheers, Dave
Thanks very much, will give this a go. So much more to learn than the old days when I first did any building 👍🏻😊
What if you carve out the "Manky Blemish" with your fresh #11 blade, super glue the dimple, sand and polish area, then dip it a couple of times? When your ready don't glue canopy to fuselage but scatch off key attachment points then use medium strength super glue very lightly. What do you think?
I reckon that would have worked actually. Good call.
I have seen other users use the Novus polishing system on their clear pieces and it seems to work just as well.
I wasn't aware of it until I read your comment and googled it. Looks good, but expensive?
For a 2 oz bottle of Novus 1 and a 2 oz bottle of Novus 2, I bought them from Amazon.com for 9 dollars. I didn't buy Novus 3 because I am not sure if the part I am polishing will need it yet. Just trying to see if no 2 will do the trick :)
Ah, that's a lot cheaper than what I saw here in my Australian google results. Maybe it is expensive here ($50 for three bottles) as it has to be imported?
especially if your seller is overseas try looking it up on Amazon in Australian currency and see if you get anything cheaper than 50 dollars. But keep in mind I only bought two bottles. I found this set just now for 11.25 dollars. www.amazon.com/Novus-Bed-Polish-Kit-1-2-3/dp/B003Z9J0DG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536798643&sr=8-1&keywords=novus+3+2+oz
Can prit stick be used do add it to the model as I don't have any of the suggested glue for it on me
I had to look up Pritt Stick as we don't have it here in Australia. It's a glue stick, yeah? Seems designed to use for paper and craft projects. I don't think it would work - it might temporarily stick it in place, but I very much doubt it would hold a plastic canopy in place long-term.
it will stop the glue from reacting.. so it wont stick anymore. I guess you recommend PVA glue for clear parts like most modellers do, right?
Hi Fox, I actually use CA glue and it seems to work fine, the Future stops it from fogging and it holds good and tight. I have heard the PVA glue idea, but I find that bond a bit unreliable. Dave
This is really useful - thank you! Knowing that this will prevent the dreaded super-glue fogging is brilliant news.
For taking out marks on screens (I'm mostly working on restoring diecast cars) I've been using 800 grit or finer, then T Cut automotive paint restorer. This Pledge looks much better.
Something I have yet to discover is what glue or product will stick broken screens back together without leaving a visible join.
Mikaela Bowen hmmm, not leaving visible cracks or repairs is a tricky one. I don’t know of any product that can do that. Anyone else?
Would airbrushing a coat of gloss varnish do the same job?
I think it would be harder to control any excess - in the video I shake off excess fluid, so it doesn't run and collect in thick areas at the bottom. That would be trickier with gloss varnish. But it could work - give it a try and let me know!
Any suggestions for removing paint from clear plastic?
What kind of paint Edgar? Acrylic or enamel?
I'm in Australia also. You've had your Pledge OneGo for about five years! What's it called today? I've seen many a video talking about Pledge this-and-that, but I've never found anything in the last few years. What is the equivalent in 2017? Thanks!
Hi Morris, I'm not sure what it's called now. But basically any CLEAR floor polish would work. Bunnings has one called Long Life 2L General Purpose Floor Cleaner for under $10 which I think would probably work just the same. As long as it is clear, and watery (not a wax) you would be good to use it. Hope that helps, Dave
I've been using the Bunnings Long Life floor polish for canopies... Works just the same.
is it just me,or does a bloke with a british accent always sound confident and truthful?i mean high english of course! excellent video,and i would put a clean glass or plastic bowl over top to hinder lint and the like.
im terribly sorry,mate just wrote down the wrong accent,i'm an idiot
Nothing to apologise about pzkpfwiv freak! But yes, I'm Australian, not British ;) Good call about the cover to stop dust and lint, by the way, I wish I had included that in my video. Cheers, Dave
Does this stuff work on colored parts like taillights?
Yep, definitely.
A year or so ago, I looked for some Future, and couldn't find it in our local stores. I belive it is now sold as Pledge, and the Future labels were dropped. You can read the fine print on the pledge labels and they say it contains Future. If anyone knows the story on this I'd love to know. Regards, Solomon
As I mention in the video, it seems to be sold under various names in various countries: Future, Pledge, Johnson's Klear. But yeah, I also heard they dropped the name "Future" in the US recently due to company changes/parent company takeovers or something like that. Pretty much any clear, hard-wearing floor polish will work, just test it beforehand, you don't want to ruin your pride and joy :) Dave
It's now sold as Pledge Floor Care and only available from the US. There is a stockist in Australia, but be prepared to pay around $35 for a bottle.
This comment section has to be most polite in the whole internet.
It's quite pleasant to see that not everyone is a troll, isn't it? ;)
Thanks for the tip. I hate working with canopies.
My pleasure, omcheeseman! Cheers mate, Dave
Hey Dave! Given Pledge no longer seems to be available in AUS, do you know of an alternative available locally?
It's a bugger that it's no longer available here. I believe Bunnings has some similar floor polish, but I would most definitely test it first!
@@DavesModelWorkshop If you have your bottle still, perhaps give us the list of active ingredients so we can locate alternatives.
@@PetrikNZ Hi Petrik, I checked the bottle, but it doesn't list the ingredients at all - most disappointing. It just directs consumers to the Johnson Consumer advice line - 1800 801 869.
Anyone any idea?...I have the Beaufighter revel 1/32...I dipped the canopys in Klear and a few weeks later the canopys went cloudy/foggy...It hadn't happened before to any of my other kits...but I cant seem to get rid of it which spoils the model actually...Ive tried dipping the canopys in windolene as someone suggested to get rid of the Klear...Not sure what to do..any help would be appreciated...Thanks
Hmmm, the only thing I can think of would be to polish the canopies very, very gently - maybe with Tamiya polishing compound, or maybe toothpaste? I'm not 100% certain, I would definitely recommend you test this method on an unobtrusive piece first! Good luck - Dave
@@DavesModelWorkshop Thanks for the reply...I've posted this question on a few canopy videos and I'll see what folks have to say...I'm still not sure if it's the plastic or the Klear that's the issue...I'll try some polish after I've looked into it a bit further...Good community the modeling community...Big Thanks again
@@lewistaylor1965 Good luck mate. Let me know how you get on.
Regards to fine scratches on canopies, toothpaste or a polishing compound should get them out (Tamiya make, I think, several grades of this stuff), so before dipping in your Pledge try polishing them out first.
Don't know if it will improve the blemish from the sprue point, worth a shot though.
Thanks PJB - good tip re: toothpaste. I used some polishing a headlight lens a while back, and it would definitely also work on canopies. Nice one. Cheers, Dave
I know this posting is 3 years old, but I was wondering if it made any difference if the plastic part was colored (example" Martian War Machine green wingtips and front)?
It should still work with tinted plastic - I.e. the plastic has had a colouring agent added to it by the manufacturer before going into the kit mould. If you have tinted clear plastic yourself that might not work so well.
I recently bought a clear coat from Revell in the spray can to try it out, and after putting it on my me-262 and letting it dry overnight, I came out to find dust had settled on it whilst it was wet, and thus sealing it into the paint job. How do I fix this issue? It’s my best model I’ve made so far and my favourite plane I really don’t want it ruined..
Hmmmm, I really don't know. Removing the top clear coat might damage the paintwork underneath... Anyone able to assist? Dave
@@DavesModelWorkshop ya I just kinda left it and just left it as is and made up that it’s an old aircraft that never saw use, works me lol.
What is the current aussie equivalent to future floor polish?
I'm not 100% sure, apparently Bunnings does sell an equivalent but I can't remember the name. ANyone else know?
The floor polish does not cause any noticeable yellowing over time because the coating is only a few microns thick.
You can always flame polish it with a small torch just be careful not to linger in one spot for too long. This would take out that small dimple where it was detached.
I've never done flame polishing - I'd be worried I would melt it all! I imagine it takes a lot of practice?
@@DavesModelWorkshopdon’t do that, it will make the plastic very brittle
Especially the thinner the plastic