Forgot to dye my canopy; Any suggestions?

Got in the zone assembling a plane today and ended up glueing in the canopy in the process. After applying fillets, I realized I FORGOT to DYE my canopy !! Is there any way to mist it with an airbrush or anything else during the rest of the process so it appears dyed, but stays transluscent??? Thanks for any suggestions

>Got in the zone assembling a plane today and ended up
>glueing in the canopy in the process. After applying
>fillets, I realized I FORGOT to DYE my canopy !! Is there
>any way to mist it with an airbrush or anything else during
>the rest of the process so it appears dyed, but stays
>transluscent??? Thanks for any suggestions

Candy colors is what I would use.

I've got a couple of those, but I am planning on using auto paint, does that make any difference?

R/C CAR paint that works with the plastic. I've seen a smoke gray that's translucent. Or turn plane upside down and brush on 160-170degree rit dye...be careful as not to let the dye sit on one spot longer than necessary…ie the top of the canopy. That's what I would do.

Scott(might have to try it also some day)Riese

The R/C car paint sounds like the best idea to me. Test for compatability with clearcoat of choice, before using it on the model. I think Mitch uses auto paints, so it should be ok. Is this a Brodak Strega? Steve

Charlie Reeves has added some drops of blue color to clear dope and sprayed it over the canopy area of his Victory. Looked very nice to me. If Charlie is happy, he has done a fine job.

yep, it's the strega. And I just realized looking at the photo that I have also forgotten to cut out the side exhaust vents for cooling. Good thing I posted a pic.
I generally use auto paint. I'm real happy with matrix clear coat.

Unless it is some sort of very special canopy or great difficulty would be involved, I'd simple cut it off (carefully), use it as a pattern, and replace it with one that IS dyed.

Canopies are cheap. It will be hard to do a good job with anything getting it dyed once it is mounted.

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"I do not participate in any sport with ambulances at the bottom of a hill." -Erma Bombeck

Well, it is actually inserted from below the top block. It would be possible to remove, but with great difficulty. I had the idea when hollowing the block. I cut the hole to match, applied glud to the base of the canopy and slid it up into place. Easiest way I've found yet. Also the best (by far) fitting canopy I've ever installed. So, before I resort to removing it, I'll try a paint, stain or dye first.

I'd vote for misted coats of dyed, thin dope. Writ dye requires extensive soaking at warm temperatures to do its job.

Only caveat would be to completely mask off the wood and/or filler areas to insure only the canopy gets the dye on it. Most likely the dope will "set" the dye but if not it has a sneaky way of oozing into any paint color applied over it. Might not with catalyzed car paints but I wouldn't want to take a chance.

LAST EDITED ON Dec-05-04 AT 12:55 PM (CST)
 
FWIW there is an article in the July/Aug., 2004(?) Stunt News reference using Higgins fade proof colored ink in clear dope for a transparent colored finish. Have not tried it but am considering it. Don't know if it would adhere to canopy plastic or not.

Mel Peeples

Edit - The SN article is Noel Drindak's "We Have The Technology". I read somewhere that when doing this the ink should go into the thinner first and then mix with the clear dope.

MCP

Hi Ted,

Not to change the subject here, just a quick question for you.

I've admired your paint jobs, even the purple ones (!). Remind me again what kind of paint you are using to get such great finishes?

Thanks,

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"Of all the things which wisdom provides to make us entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship." -Epicurus

What kind of motor you gonna put in that job?

Saito .56 Ran it for a while on a big R/C ARF profile I converted to C/L. Pulled like a chainsaw.

>What kind of motor you gonna put in that job?

"motor"?
You going electric on us, Steve?
And he's an engineer, no less. (oh, I forgot: VMI)

Bill <><
P.S. how was flying today??

Like Sparky, I would use a candy apple color. They are translucent in this application and you can get it as dark or light as you want.
Bill <><