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TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Old 04-07-2012, 06:52 PM
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furloughed ual
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Default TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Anyone out there sucessfully tinted a Flash canopy using the RIT dye method? The last few canopies (different manufacturer) I've tried wouldnt take the tint no matter how long it was left in there. I've done it in the past with good results, but recently it doesnt seem to take. I would guess they plastic is different now?

Anyone tried it? Does it work or not on the CARF canopies?
Old 04-07-2012, 07:09 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

You can get lexan paint that is used as a "Tint" in the RC Cars. (under the Pactra label)

http://www.testors.com/products/137987
Old 04-07-2012, 07:47 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Yea, I'm aware of the spray...might have to go that route if the dye doesn't work. Have u used the spray tints? Good results?
Old 04-07-2012, 08:12 PM
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SinCityJets
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Spray tints = not good result. Just look at the all black canopy of the splash. Spray did not adhere well, and got blotchy.

Talk to Dan Avilla reference tinting. He did his bandit (yellow). Looks good!

Chad
Old 04-07-2012, 08:14 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Chad, that's exacly what I worry about using the smoke colored tint sprays. Fisheyes and splotchy/streaky coverage using the spray cans. The dye method gives steady color if it works.
Old 04-07-2012, 08:21 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

I used tinted spray on my Ultra Flash and the results were good. Dave Wilshire also did a nice job with his UF canopy using spray.
Old 04-07-2012, 08:24 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Dantley, is this the green/blue one you had? I believe it's here in CO now. I'll see it tmrw at the field.

Ryan.
Old 04-07-2012, 09:04 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Yep, that's the one. Does Michael still have it?
Old 04-07-2012, 09:17 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

get some black rit dye and and bring the water with dye almost to a boil then dip the canopy in. It works like a charm!!! the secret is getting the water really hot, I have tinted many canopies this way. its not how long u leave it in but temp, thats been my experience. I use the liquid rit dye not the powder, im not sure if it matters but I have yet to find something that will not tint with this method.
Old 04-07-2012, 09:32 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

I thought about using that technique, but I was concerned that the canopy would warp. Next time I'll experiment on some left over material.

Here's how the UF came out with the paint.
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Old 04-07-2012, 09:41 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

As long as u don't boil the water you will not have any issues.
Old 04-07-2012, 10:40 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

No Problems tinting a UF canopy, I used a can of smoke car lens tinting spray (other colours also available). Just follow some basic rules as with all painting, make sure the inside of the canopy is degreased and clean, anyone who has experienced blotchy finishes and tint not taking have not ensured this point.

Warm the canopy and spray can, (I suspend the canopy over an old oil filled electric radiator and lie the can on it, rotating and shaking frequently); be careful not to overheat, particularly the can so use a countdown timer on your person just in case you get distracted while waiting.

When both are nice and warm and can is well shook, (need to hear balls rattling for a good minute or so), spray away, preferably in another similarly warm area where the overspray is not going to affect you or anyone/thing else. Follow instructions on can for re-coating if a darker tint is needed but be careful as its easy to get too dark. I used a couple of coats and would not want to go any darker.

Works a charm.

Rob.
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Old 04-07-2012, 10:43 PM
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PHIL GREENO
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

With my Ultra Flash due to bedelivered in a few weeks in colour swap green to red I will be spaying (inside) the canopy Subaru Metalic blue.

I have not used Fabric dye since I used to dye the white nylon on my combat models when I was about 14 years old.I think it was called "Dylon"

For those of you that are not happy cooking their canopy then dont be afraid to use a good quality RCcar polycarbonate spray paint.

Having raced RC cars for many years I painted hundreds of clear polycarbonate bodies.

The trick in getting good results is to wash the inside of the canopy with warm washing up liquid/water then dry with a kitchen paper towel.Leave to dry in a warm room for 20 minutes.

Always spray in a warm atmosphere say 65-70 deg F /20deg C. Wear a mask if you spay in your kitchen/workshop.

Use 2 or 3 light coats,dont try to cover in one coat.

If you are using a solid colour you can roughen up the inside of the canopy with 1200 grit paper.This gives a better key and you wont see the marks after painted.

I have found "Tamiya" polycarbonate color spray gives the best results and is available in dozens of colours including translucent light blue /smoke etc.

Hope this helps

Phil.

Old 04-08-2012, 12:28 AM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

I use several sprays, but the RC Pactra range is best RC272 Blue like on my Spark and other CARF models (my 2.12Yak on the CARF home page) Dont remember the smoke part# Ah 294
Warm like Phil says, but spraying, the secret is clean with pure alcohol. Then light dust coat to give a dry "grab" coat, then light coats...the pigment takes time to come through so don't go too heavy as it takes 30sec to see results. BUT the main thing is spraying inside a curved bowl you must move the can in an ark...big pendulum movement so the can does not get too close at each end! Also try and find how long the paint has been in stock if you buy from a hobby shop, they go off and you can get "bits" of pigment spitting out. I always test a new tin on a clear plastic bag before I hit the canopy.

Mike Cherry tinted an Extra 260 CARF canopy for me with RIT dye a few years back and it worked really well on the CARF material.

Dw
Old 04-08-2012, 04:09 AM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Dantley, I think Mike traded it to Larry Laughlin. I think it was a little faster than Mike wanted. Lol.
Old 04-08-2012, 05:35 AM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

I tried the Rit dye on a lexan canopy a few years ago. It did not work well. Altough it tinted the canopy, once I started glueing it to the frame, the following day, the tinting began to smear. It also tinted the canopy glue. Then when I wiped it down, it smeared worse and got on the painted canopy frame. The dye kept smearing off. I had to get a new canopy and repaint the frame. I know that Rit dye worked on the old plastic canopies from many years ago. But I heard that it doesn't adhere/bond to lexan, as was my experience.
Old 04-08-2012, 07:53 AM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Tinting eh,,,,, sounds like a pain and if you don't get it right your canopy is screwed.
Old 04-08-2012, 08:06 AM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?


ORIGINAL: AFTERBURNER1

Tinting eh,,,,, sounds like a pain and if you don't get it right your canopy is screwed.
+1
Old 04-08-2012, 11:07 AM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Fenderbean it all depends on what the canopy is made from. I have used the ritdye just fine on some canopys but the canopy from my yellow F22 would repel water like it was oil and the rit dye did not even come close to touching it.

I also used the spray paint inside the canopy. But I made a mistake and went to dark. I then tried to remove it with paint thinner and I ended up with a nice smooth and even tint job.
Old 04-08-2012, 01:34 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

If you scuff the inside of the canopy with 300 grit, then spray, you will get good consistant results.
Old 04-08-2012, 04:05 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Here are two that I recently did using polycarbonate (lexan body spray). I used to scotchbrite but I don't even bother anymore - the trick is to clean thoroughly with alcohol and start by dusting a coat than follow with several more lite coats. Good luck.

Scott
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Old 04-08-2012, 04:48 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?


ORIGINAL: AFTERBURNER1

Tinting eh,,,,, sounds like a pain and if you don't get it right your canopy is screwed.
Aaaaahhh Grashopper, ye o little faith. If it's not a complete and utter PITA and cost u a day of your life, then it's just another cookie cutter out of the box crappy ARF just like everyone else has....just can't do that.

OR....it's another $50 and a new canopy....
Old 04-08-2012, 07:19 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

Ha ha biach. I wouldn't do it anyway. I already took care of the custom color scheme so I can skip the smeared canopy look..

Was the hawk canopy supposed to be a tint???? Looks black to me.
Old 04-08-2012, 08:58 PM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?

I should have the supplies the end of the week. I'll do some test pieces and go from there.
Old 04-09-2012, 04:27 AM
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Default RE: TINTING AN ULTRA FLASH CANOPY?


ORIGINAL: AFTERBURNER1
]

Was the hawk canopy supposed to be a tint???? Looks black to me.
Its limo tint. Lol

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