I have a Sig Somethin Extra Arf coming. You guys talked me into it. I know alot of you guys said the kit would be better. But I want to fly this summer. If I really like the SE. I'll for sure get the kit and build it to my likeings this winter. Anyway, It comes with a clear canopy, I want it dark as in tinted. Somewhere on here I thought somebody said use Rit Dye? Will it work? If so which color? Or if the Rit Dye isnt the answer ,how do you guys tint your canopys?Thanks , JT

Well, I tried a dye once, not Ritz, and the only thing that got dyed was my hands.
Sooooo, I went and bought Testors Transparent paint.
You simply lightly spray paint the inside of the canopy. You can get Blue, Red, Green and maybe other colors which I don't know.
Here is what mine looked like:

I too would recommend a transparent paint.
Some people have had success with die. I like paint.

Why do you want it tinted?

The Rit die does work, I have done it several times. Use the dark shades of the basic color {dark blue, dark red, ect.} The hardest part is the water temp, it needs to be HOT. When you trim the canopy use the scraps for a test to make sure the heat won't distort it. Also do not let the canopy touch the bottom of the pot. Once its done nothing will hurt it, even if you scratch the canopy, and it remains crystal clear.

A word of caution regarding canopy tinting using the Rit dye method. I ruined a Somethin' Extra canopy by using water that was too HOT! I tested the water with a candy thermometer and when it read 120 degrees centigrade, I slipped in the ole canopy. When I checked on it ten minutes later it looked like a week old orange peel.

I now believe that it is the time that the canopy is in the solution and not the temperature of the solution that results in the tinting action.

However, never fear; if you should happen to screw up and warp the canopy, SIG will be more that happy to send you a new one for the very reasonable price of $18.95 plus $6.95 freight.

With Sig canopies and I think other brands canopies, they use two different types of clear plastic. The one kind will take the dye. The other type won't take the dye no matter how you do it. One time I bought two Sig bubble canopies. One was a bigger size than the other. I tried to dye them at the same time. The one took the dye and the other one did not. Use water only as hot as what comes out of the tap. Don't get it hotter. Also what looks dark enough in the basement won't look as dark when you get it out in the sunlight. Leave the canopie in the dye longer to get a darker color. Also move the canopie around in the dye. If you just let it soak in the dye the color won't be even. If the canopie you use won't take dye being soaked in the dye won't hurt it at all.

I like the Testors transparent paint idea. I'll though it might be tough to find locally. How long do you let the canopy sit in the Rit solution. Guess if I used the Rit, I'd go with the black. I take it that it would be a dark tint then...like a smoke color. If I'm wrong let me know. Thanks much , JT

You can find the Testors and any hobby shop that sell R/C cars.

I have used both the Rit dye method and the spray tint (can?t remember the manufacture). I prefer the Rit method?but?I also have build the kit version of the something extra and the Rit method won?t work on this one (unless they changed the material). I let it set in a very concentrated mix of Rit and I got a little tint but not much. I wound up using the spray tint the local hobby shop sells. Even with this it still did not tint as much as I would like. It seems that if a canopy does not want to tint there is not a lot you can do about it. I have not tried the transparent paint method yet but I will on the next one. Hope this helps, Johnny

Cant you just buy car tint??

120 deg.C = 248 deg.F
Water boils at 212deg. F @ sea level

You can tint with Rit at about 135Ddeg. F, some plastics do not take the dye at all. wash the plastic very well before you put it in the dye, but don't expect to get a real dark color. Black has not proven to be very good, it sometimes looks brown when dry.

I agree with jemo 135-140 seems to be the best temp, and thats hot enough to burn ya. As far as how long, it seems the canopy will only take a certain amount of die and after that it doesn't get any darker, so I just let them soak for about 1/2 hour. Stir the solution every couple minutes.

Hideho all,
The SIG canopy for the SE will not tint with the rit dye method
You must use tint/paint from the inside..

I too ruined a SE canopy trying to tint it with rit...

Good luck..

I tinted my SE canopy with black RIT and it turned out just fine. I didn't measure the temperature, but it was too hot to leave my hand in and not hot enough to burn me. (135-140F ?)

use dark blue rit dye to get a gray canopy. seems strange but it works. use hot tap water only. stir the water well to mix/keep the dye mixed. you can take the canopy out to check the color but it gets a little lighter as it dries. and it does look a bit lighter in sunlight.

ed

I meant to say 120 degrees fahrenheit; sorry. :stupid: I may not have left the thermometer in the water long enough. I used one package of Navy Blue and one package of Black, plus a little white vinegar and some salt. My "Orange Peel" canopy came out a shade of ugly green!

This reminds me of the stories I remember reading as a kid, of the old Alchemists who used to try to turn lead into gold!

I have used the Rit dye and had good luck. Tried the transparent dye, too. You need tons of patience. Spray very, very light coats and let it dry. If not, it is "run city!"


Earl

Well, I finally got my canopy tinted on my Somethin Extra. Tried the Testors first.......Run City!........Then got the Pactra, works great. Thanks, JT

I tried dying the canopy on my kyosho cap232 40 size and it wouldn't take the rit dye.I wondered why it wouldnt work.I read someone earlier say some plastics just won't take.I agree.Tivey

I will not work on the Lexan Canopys..It works great on PVC, and whatever else they are making theses out of..But not the lexan

Scott

I find that the Dies seem to take better at 175 or 180 F. Take some scrap and test the water first.

Save your self about 20 bucks.

Robert

I too have used black Rit dye. One on a
great Planes canopy and it came out nice. Kinda brown, but OK.
I've tried the same thing on two different Sig canopies and neither would take the dye.

You can't use RIT on Lexan Canopies it wont absorb into the platic. I have only ever used RIT with no problems again unless they were Lexan. I will have to try the Paint next time I need to tint one.

Thanks
Mike Badger
www.Aero3D.net

I have not died a canopy yet but will be doing one on my SIG 4* soon.

I plan to use the pactra paint, not exactly sure which color yet but one of the Tansparent colors I think.

Pactra is known for being used on R/C car lexan bodies, it bonds to the lexan very well.

I believe Tower carries a full line of Pactra paint.

Believe it or not!
I have been using flat black barbaque grill paint applied from the inside. It looks excellent. And if the plane ever catches fire the paint will stay applied upto 1200 degrees guarenteed.

Tom
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