canopy questions for 4*60
01-17-2008, 12:00 PM
#1
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canopy questions for 4*60
I'm building a 4*60 and need some advice for the canopy. I've seen some photos of "cut down" canopies for the 4*60 and some blacked-out canopies that I think look good. My questions are 1) How do I black-out the canopy?
2) Can anyone describe how they cut down the 4* canopy?
3) What is a good way to attach the canopy?
Thanks for the help.
2) Can anyone describe how they cut down the 4* canopy?
3) What is a good way to attach the canopy?
Thanks for the help.
01-17-2008, 12:18 PM
#2
RE: canopy questions for 4*60
1. I blacked out my FourStar 40 canopy using spray paint on the inside.
2. I used curved scissors
3. Hobby shops sell canopy glue - sometimes called RC-56 or something like that.
Good luck!
2. I used curved scissors
3. Hobby shops sell canopy glue - sometimes called RC-56 or something like that.
Good luck!
01-17-2008, 12:28 PM
#3
RE: canopy questions for 4*60
ORIGINAL: carsondoc
I'm building a 4*60 and need some advice for the canopy. I've seen some photos of "cut down" canopies for the 4*60 and some blacked-out canopies that I think look good. My questions are
1) How do I black-out the canopy?
>There are 2 ways that I know of to do this. The 1st method is to soak the canopy in RIT
>dye (there are several links here as to the exact procedure ). This is more of a semi
>see through coloring (tinting). The 2nd way is to get some RC car paint for lexan bodies and
>spray the inside of the canopy.
2) Can anyone describe how they cut down the 4* canopy?
>How are you trying to cut it down ? Open cockpit or shorter canopy ? Either way I
>would use either a dremel with a cutoff wheel (make sure you do not run the
>speed too high or it will melt the edges ). Then carefully sand the edges with
>some 150 followed by 220 paper to remove any burr.
>Do multiple passes with a #11 blade. The #11 blade will give a cleaner edge, but
>is more difficult keeping a straight edge. The 3rd possibility is using a pair of scissors.
>I have never done it using scissors, so I can't help there. I USUALLY use a dremel
>with a regular (not heavy duty ) cutoff wheel. The regular cutoff wheel is much
>thinner than the heavy duty ones. Expect them to break and ABSOLUTELY WEAR
>SAFETY GLASSES if you decide to use the dremel.
3) What is a good way to attach the canopy?
>If you want the canopy attached permanently use RC-56 Canopy glue. This goes
>on white and dries clear. Any "oops" can be cleaned with soap and water WHILE
>IT IS STILL WET.
>
>You can also attach the canopy using screws. If you go to the local hardware
>store (Ace, True Value ) they have a fastened section. What you want are #2
>screws 1/4" long with an ovsize head (wide head ) OR washers to go between
>the screw and the windshield (harden the holes with some thin CA ). The
>windshield can be trimmed with some self adhesive trim material.
>
>If you have a detailed cockpit you may want to make certain the edges of the
>canopy/windshield are sealed to minimize/prevent and exhaust residue from
>getting at the detailed cockpit.
Thanks for the help.
I'm building a 4*60 and need some advice for the canopy. I've seen some photos of "cut down" canopies for the 4*60 and some blacked-out canopies that I think look good. My questions are
1) How do I black-out the canopy?
>There are 2 ways that I know of to do this. The 1st method is to soak the canopy in RIT
>dye (there are several links here as to the exact procedure ). This is more of a semi
>see through coloring (tinting). The 2nd way is to get some RC car paint for lexan bodies and
>spray the inside of the canopy.
2) Can anyone describe how they cut down the 4* canopy?
>How are you trying to cut it down ? Open cockpit or shorter canopy ? Either way I
>would use either a dremel with a cutoff wheel (make sure you do not run the
>speed too high or it will melt the edges ). Then carefully sand the edges with
>some 150 followed by 220 paper to remove any burr.
>Do multiple passes with a #11 blade. The #11 blade will give a cleaner edge, but
>is more difficult keeping a straight edge. The 3rd possibility is using a pair of scissors.
>I have never done it using scissors, so I can't help there. I USUALLY use a dremel
>with a regular (not heavy duty ) cutoff wheel. The regular cutoff wheel is much
>thinner than the heavy duty ones. Expect them to break and ABSOLUTELY WEAR
>SAFETY GLASSES if you decide to use the dremel.
3) What is a good way to attach the canopy?
>If you want the canopy attached permanently use RC-56 Canopy glue. This goes
>on white and dries clear. Any "oops" can be cleaned with soap and water WHILE
>IT IS STILL WET.
>
>You can also attach the canopy using screws. If you go to the local hardware
>store (Ace, True Value ) they have a fastened section. What you want are #2
>screws 1/4" long with an ovsize head (wide head ) OR washers to go between
>the screw and the windshield (harden the holes with some thin CA ). The
>windshield can be trimmed with some self adhesive trim material.
>
>If you have a detailed cockpit you may want to make certain the edges of the
>canopy/windshield are sealed to minimize/prevent and exhaust residue from
>getting at the detailed cockpit.
Thanks for the help.
01-17-2008, 02:00 PM
#4
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RE: canopy questions for 4*60
Thanks for the advice. That helps a lot.
I was not completely clear WRT cutting the canopy. I don't like the way the canopy bubbles up on the 4*60 and I want to cut it down to be more sleek. I have seen photos but am not sure how they cut down the stock canopy and wondered if anyone could advise how I should do that in this particular case.
I was not completely clear WRT cutting the canopy. I don't like the way the canopy bubbles up on the 4*60 and I want to cut it down to be more sleek. I have seen photos but am not sure how they cut down the stock canopy and wondered if anyone could advise how I should do that in this particular case.
01-17-2008, 03:51 PM
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RE: canopy questions for 4*60
Take a look at kmots’s thread Four Star 60 building. By a 54 year old beginner. Post #216 goes into detail about cutting and dying the canopy. Pale Rider posted a photo on 4 Star 40 building has commenced! thread post #81 (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=1946922) that shows the pieces that were trimmed from the canopy, post further down details the Rit dye method.
For my 4 Star (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6888862) I cut out the canopy per stock configuration, then, holding the canopy along side the fuselage, I lowered the front of the canopy until the top of the canopy was inline with the angle of the turtle deck and cut the front of the canopy to fit around the front deck of the fuselage, then trimmed the sides to allow for about ¼” overhang. I applied hot air to the front of the canopy to form it around the front deck. Dyed the canopy with black Rit dye and attached the canopy with silicone and small screws.
Also try this link:http://www.renderwurx.com/rc/sig4star/
For my 4 Star (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6888862) I cut out the canopy per stock configuration, then, holding the canopy along side the fuselage, I lowered the front of the canopy until the top of the canopy was inline with the angle of the turtle deck and cut the front of the canopy to fit around the front deck of the fuselage, then trimmed the sides to allow for about ¼” overhang. I applied hot air to the front of the canopy to form it around the front deck. Dyed the canopy with black Rit dye and attached the canopy with silicone and small screws.
Also try this link:http://www.renderwurx.com/rc/sig4star/
