RCU Forums - Dark Canopy

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Whats the best way to darken a canopy?
I want it dark enough so you cant see through it. I've heard that black paint on the inside will do it, is that right?
I want it to look good.
Thanks

That's how I painted my 4*60's canopy.. I first taped and painted my white
stripe then used flat black to finish all off.. It has held up very well so far..

i'm guessing black spray paint on the inside of the canopy sprayed on real light and as many coats as it takes to make a limo black tint....... never done this B4 soo i have no idea of the end resaults.... goodluck

Yes, Black paint on the inside works very well

Yeffy

Here are a couple of ways and the threads I got them from.

I used the RIT dye method and it turned out well

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/How_...1990658/tm.htm

OR

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_18...tm.htm#1894281

These are my notes after tinting many many canopies.

Note: ARF canopies usually don’t take Rite Dye as they are a different plastic than those made in the USA.

Canopy tinting with Rite Dye:
1. Clean your canopy with soap/water, rinse and let dry. Handle only on the edges after that.
2. Mix 2 parts black Rite Dye powder with 1 part navy blue. Using only straight black will give you a BROWN tint! If any think I would recommend a mix of 70/30% Blue/black.
3. Have a container large enough to completely cover your canopy.
4. Have a second container of rinse water ready or at least some way to rinse the canopy off.
5. Buy a cheap candy thermometer (or steal your wife's) I take no responsibility!!
6. Have your container in an area where it doesn't matter if you spill!! You will spill, splatter or drip!
7. Heat your water to about 140-150 degrees. Note, a large thin canopy might not stand higher temps; your risk! Best to leave a canopy in its original frame (mold form) while tinting.
8. Wait until the water temperature in your container totally stabilizes, ……temp. may still be rising from hotter water in the bottom.
9. Thoroughly mix in the dye.
10. Plunge the canopy into the mix with one movement. Any hang up during this process could create a faint line of differing tint.
11. Use a pliers or tongs to bring it out. If not dark enough, put it back in(see #9 and see below).
12. Bring canopy out, immediately rinse and place in a clean area to dry.
13. Dispose the dye water in a safe area??? Hot water will kill the lawn.

I tried Russ Brandt’s method as stated below except I still heated the water and only used about 2 tablespoons of vinegar in my staining bucket. I was tinting Great Planes CAP 232 and GP Ultimate canopies. The results were significantly darker than what I am used to, but they do look very nice. His method is very effective if you want a dark canopy. Also the canopies were somewhat “relaxed” around the edges after experiencing 150 degree heat. They were not misshapen, just loose around the base. If you only want a slight tint then I would recommend omitting the vinegar.

HERE IS THE ALTERNATE METHOD USING VINEGAR AS RELAYED BY Russ "MT" Brandt

Canopy tinting with Rite Dye:
1. Clean your canopy with soap/water and dry. Handle only on the edges after that.
2. Mix 2 parts black Rite Dye with 1 part navy blue. Straight black will give you a BROWN tint.
3. Have a container large enough to completely cover your canopy.
SKIP #5
5. Have your container in an area where it doesn't matter if you spill!!
SKIP #7 & 8 Use hot tap water & add 25% white vinegar.
8. Thoroughly mix in the dye, and the vinegar.
9. Plunge the canopy into the mix with one movement. Any hang up could create a faint line of differing tint.
10. Use a pliers or tongs to bring it out. If not dark enough, put it back in(see #9).
11. Bring canopy out, rinse in clean water and place in a clean area to dry.
12. Dispose the dye water in a safe area???
------------------
Russ "MT" Brandt

$ .99 spray paint on the inside is fine.
It looks great just like painting r/c car bodies.
it'll have a high gloss look on the out side and won't matter if you just slapp
the paint on the inside with runs or what not.
just makesure you apply enough coats as someone metioned so you can't
see through.

just make mounting tabs for hold down screws.
or harden the wood mounting area with CA.

i don't trust the sealing tape.
you can leave the 1/4" or less un painted on the edges of the canapy if you want to
perminately glue it to the fuselage. use the sealing tape to conseal the marks.

glue on paint ? the paint will crack away from the canopy. during flight.lol

Spray paint (on the inside of the canopy)

yeffy99

If you decide to paint the canopy, make sure to lightly scuff up the inside with a scotch bright pad. This will help the paint stick and the scrathes won't be visable after painting.

hummm.... well I had some problems with a lexan canopy the paint ended up looking pretty bad... so I was able to clean it off and used some lexan window tint for RC cars and it came out great!

John

Pactra - the company that makes paint for lexan car bodies etc... makes a "window" tint paint.

I've had excellent luck with it. I apply a few coats and it comes out looking real dark - dark enough you can't see thru it and has a neater appearance than black paint in my opinion. With the canopy off and painting the inside it will still appear slightly translucent until you put it on the plane. Once on the plane it's no longer backlit and gets dark.

I did this on my extra and it came out really good. I've seen planes with black paint and they look OK, but with the tint on really dark it gives the canopy "depth" it's kinda hard to explain.

Where can you buy Pactra?

Thanks

Tower Hobbies sells Pactra paint. Any hobby shop that deals in R/C cars and trucks should have pactra paint. It's what those guys use to paint the clear lexan car bodies. You can also get it in colored translucents that look pretty cool when done on the right plane.

Tried the window tint, didn't come out too good. I think unless you are in a sterile environment you are gonna get dust in it and it looks like crap. I spray painted the inside of the canopy on my Cap 232 80" and it looks kind cool. Only problem is that the plane flipped over and hit the canopy and the paint seperated from the canopy (where it is glued) and looks like crud now....

would lustrecoat black spraypaint work in this situation?

You need something that will paint on Lexan, and before you paint the lexan you need to wash it in soap an hot water. My experience is that if you don't do this, the paint will not stick. I think there is some kind of chemical on the finished lexan. Whatever it is, it resists paint..