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tinted canopys - 7/11/2003 10:22:01 PM   
orion1210



Posts: 44
Joined: 7/11/2003
From: Bristol, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Just bought a lovely extra 300L. All the pictures show it with a tinted canopy which really finishes the model off!

Any ideas how to turn a clear canopy into a nice tinted version. I know i could paint it black from the inside but would prefere it to be slightly transparent.

Thanks
       Post #: 1

tinted canopys - 7/12/2003 3:51:27 AM   
DBCherry


 

Posts: 5554
Joined: 1/25/2002
From: Hubbardston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		Rit (clothing) Dye. Multiple colors, easy to do.

Clean canopy thoroughly with warm water and dish detergent, dry it, and it doesn't hurt to clean it again with alcohol. Make sure to keep from touching it, the oils from your fingers will show on the tinted canopy.

Mix dye in a bucket of hot water. Bucket should be big enough to hold the full canopy without touching the sides or bottom. Suspend the canopy and leave it. Check it periodically and remove when it reaches the desired color.

SOME materials will not take the dye though, so....
Dennis-

_____________________________

He who dies with the most toys is, none the less, still dead.

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 2

tinted canopys - 7/12/2003 5:30:35 AM   
Iflyrc4fun



Posts: 247
Joined: 1/17/2002
From: Findlay, OH, USA
Status: offline 		Rit dye is what most people use. If you do a search on RCU under "canopy tinting" you will find many many tips and suggestions.

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 3

tinted canopys - 7/12/2003 5:05:22 PM   
woodbutcher


 

Posts: 136
Joined: 11/9/2002
From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Status: offline 		I've used Testors window tint spray . Tower or the larger Craft stores have it. Light coats and warm the can a little.

Here's the Tower site: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHH02&P=7

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 4

tinted canopys - 7/12/2003 6:39:25 PM   
SST



Posts: 1151
Joined: 6/26/2002
From: Mt. Morris, MI, USA
Status: offline 		Hokey smokes! someone else who refuses to do the Holy hokus-pokus Rit dye routine... I have felt like a voice in the wilderness trying (mostly unsuccessfully) to let these folks know they can do their canopies in about 30 seconds with the Testors, but it seems the arcane science approach is more appealing. Oh well, you and I can chuckle evily as we speedily tint to our heart's content and picture the hit-and-missers peering intently into their magic cauldrons...BWAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHA!

_____________________________

Rule #1: Always know when to get out of Dodge.
Rule #2: Always know HOW to get out of Dodge.

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 5

tinted canopys - 7/13/2003 12:47:48 AM   
tatolazo


 

Posts: 374
Joined: 7/7/2003
From: concepcion, CHILE
Status: offline 		Hi guys, I do it in a simple way. I went to a art store and buy a little can of paint for glass( for decorartions and vitrals, sorry my english) The first time I used with a airbrush to get a "smoke" effect so you can see to the inside but not to determine what is in the cockpit. I fyou want a 100% shiny and translucent canopy yo should apply it disolved a little with water, drop it inside the canopy and moe it around until the paint cover it all.
Of course you have to clean it up very good before this process.
Hope this can help.
tato

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 6

tinted canopys - 7/13/2003 5:22:54 AM   
visioneer_one



Posts: 2417
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: St. Thomas, VIRGIN ISLANDS (USA)
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by SST
Hokey smokes! someone else who refuses to do the Holy hokus-pokus Rit dye routine... [/QUOTE]

I'm with you, brother.

Flat Black Krylon all the way. I don't put pilot figures in my planes anyway.

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 7

tinted canopys - 7/13/2003 5:38:43 PM   
DBCherry


 

Posts: 5554
Joined: 1/25/2002
From: Hubbardston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Flat Black Krylon all the way. I don't put pilot figures in my planes anyway[/QUOTE] Well I put pilots in the cockpit. Painting the canopy black wouldn't work so well. :

I haven't tried the Testors because I've heard mixed results. (Guess I shuld try it on some scrap. )
Dennis-

_____________________________

He who dies with the most toys is, none the less, still dead.

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 8

tinted canopys - 7/13/2003 10:39:06 PM   
grahamd1



Posts: 934
Joined: 7/8/2002
From: East of England, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Orion have a look here

http://www.rcmodelflying.co.uk/forum/index.php?board=20;action=display;threadid=3709

I've done a bit of testing with Rit, and its great, and the best part is I have some for you if you want

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 9

tinted canopys - 7/14/2003 4:18:04 PM   
woodbutcher


 

Posts: 136
Joined: 11/9/2002
From: Ithaca, NY, USA
Status: offline 		MORE ON TESTORS

This tint spray isn't like a lot of rattle can paints. It has a slower drying formula to allow the spray to flow out and eliminate orange peal and the dusting(rough) effect. So, as your spraying, keep the coats light and let it dry in between or you'll get runs. Also, clean the canopy with alcohol and let it dry longer than you think it should take to dry.

It's the same principle as spraying laquer on wood. Faster drying, less airborn dust to settle in but greater orange peel potential. Retard the finish, better flow, more airborn dust to settle, less orange peel.

That's why you warm a can of LUSTRECOAT to get a better flow to help eliminate the orange peel and dusting. It allows you to get a "wet" coat with less material and less potential of runs.

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 10

tinted canopys - 7/14/2003 7:19:28 PM   
DBCherry


 

Posts: 5554
Joined: 1/25/2002
From: Hubbardston, MA, USA
Status: offline 		The Rit Dye is beginning to sound MUCH easier.
Dennis-

_____________________________

He who dies with the most toys is, none the less, still dead.

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 11

tinted canopys - 7/14/2003 8:48:27 PM   
Ghostrider FIN



Posts: 89
Joined: 3/30/2003
From: Oulu, FINLAND
Status: offline 		Wow! Does normal cloth color work? I cant believe it. What is best brand to do that canopy tint? IŽll just thinking about tint my sukhoiŽs canopy.

I also need to know what is best glue to attach the canopy on to fuselage?

_____________________________

Tuomo

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 12

tinted canopys - 7/14/2003 9:09:48 PM   
grahamd1



Posts: 934
Joined: 7/8/2002
From: East of England, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ghostrider FIN
Wow! Does normal cloth color work? I cant believe it. What is best brand to do that canopy tint? IŽll just thinking about tint my sukhoiŽs canopy.

I also need to know what is best glue to attach the canopy on to fuselage? [/QUOTE]

Sorry to disapoint you, but I spent months (and tons of cash) trying most of the European brands of Dye (inc dylon), none of them work . I also spoke with a very nice lady at Rit, who confirmed also that Rit is not available in Europe . She also told me the chemicals used are not european compliant , so there are no plans to export to Europe. She also stated that in future however people will be able to purchase small quantities via their web site, but this is a future feature.

You need to find someone who is going to the US, and get them to buy as much as they can carry. Rit is available in almost any store in the US that sells washing powder.

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 13

tinted canopys - 7/14/2003 9:25:36 PM   
Ghostrider FIN



Posts: 89
Joined: 3/30/2003
From: Oulu, FINLAND
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by grahamd1
Sorry to disapoint you, but I spent months (and tons of cash) trying most of the European brands of Dye (inc dylon), none of them work . I also spoke with a very nice lady at Rit, who confirmed also that Rit is not available in Europe . She also told me the chemicals used are not european compliant , so there are no plans to export to Europe. She also stated that in future however people will be able to purchase small quantities via their web site, but this is a future feature.

You need to find someone who is going to the US, and get them to buy as much as they can carry. Rit is available in almost any store in the US that sells washing powder. [/QUOTE]

OOPS, thanks to you told me that dylon doesnŽt work. IŽll almost go to buy it. Hmm, Rit. Maybe i call my friend because he is working in Dallas to NOKIA corp. And he is coming here in Finland when holiday starts. Maybe i then get some Rit. :

_____________________________

Tuomo

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 14

tinted canopys - 7/18/2003 12:18:47 AM   
scottrc



Posts: 2308
Joined: 3/7/2003
From: A TREE, KS, USA
Status: offline 		I've used Testors, Holy Smoke (which is used by train guys, but works good at smoking canopies) and Rit. For the large polypropylene canopies that are used in RC, I prefer the Rit dye method. For me, it is easy (as long as the waters not too hot) and I can use many different colors.

I am interested in what was said about using glass paints. Also, was looking into some acrylics that sign painters are using that create a iridescent finish.

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 15

tinted canopys - 7/24/2003 4:50:19 AM   
Goku



Posts: 491
Joined: 3/13/2003
From: Boise, ID, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ghostrider FIN
Wow! Does normal cloth color work? I cant believe it. What is best brand to do that canopy tint? IŽll just thinking about tint my sukhoiŽs canopy.

I also need to know what is best glue to attach the canopy on to fuselage? [/QUOTE]

I was curious about the glue part...
anyone have experience with this?

(in reply to orion1210)
       Post #: 16

tinted canopys - 7/24/2003 12:29:42 PM