Hi,

What's the best way to tint a clear canopy? Also, what is the best way to attach a canopy to a balsa wood structure?

Thanks,

Bill

Buy some Model Masters tint spray and use it on the inside of the canopy. Keep spraying until you get the tint as dark as you want it. Canopy glue or screws is the best way to mount it to the frame. You can also use Shoe Goo too.


Jeff

Hi Bill,

What Jeff described will work but there are many ways to skin a cat. Another method to tint qa canopy is to use warm water and clothing dye, the longer you leave the canopy in the solution the darker the tint. I affix canopies by either using strips of "Moneycoat" to attach the canopy before covering the entire fuse or if glassing the fuse I use strips of "coverall" and feather the edges before paint. There are many other ways.

Cheers,

Colin

<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">On a like topic, I just bought an old kit that has the clear canopy in rather poor shape. The canopy has turned a rather dingy grayish color.Anyone have any luck clearing this up?</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Thanks,</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Mike</div>

I use the RIT dye method to tint a canopy. I first wash the canopy with mild soap and warm water to remove mold release chemicals and oily fingerprints then use rather warm water, but not boiling!, and mix in the dye. Place the canopy fully into the water and let set for about 5 minutes. Take the canopy out of the water and rinse in cold tap water and check the degree of tint. Place the canopy back into the water if you want a darker tint and repeat the above steps. I have used black dye to get a nice "smoke" tint, yellow dye and blue dye and the canopy looks nice when tinted. I use R/C 56 glue to attach the canopy. ONE CAUTION: remember that this dye process can, and most likely will, tint the receptacle that you use for holding the water/dye/canopy. Don't use the white kitchen sink....and I probably don't need the relate my experience with that...or my bride's reaction....[X(][]!

Mike: after washing the canopy as mentioned above you may be able to tint the canopy to cover the dingy look and then reglue it to your model. It would be worth the time to try the RIT dye.

Soft landings.

Joe

Hi Crash!
Thank you. I assume "moneycoat" is Monocoat?

Bill

<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">Thanks Joe:</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt"></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt">The canopy is not attached; I&rsquo;ve tried the soapy water, and Windex ideas already.My next thought is warm vinegar. The canopy goes on a Pica Spitfire, I&rsquo;d prefer to keep it clear but may need to tint it light green. I&rsquo;ve used the dye technique, it works well.</div>

Hi Bill,

Yes "Moneycoat" is monocoat but all the films work just as well.

Cheers,

Colin

cannot take credit... found it here... worked great for me:

Directions I found on RCU and modified slightly (time and temp) per my findings:

10 Steps to Tinting Canopy Bliss

This method works with Lexan canopies using Tintex or Ritt fabric dyes.

1. Clean your canopy with warm water and mild soap, rinse thoroughly.

Note: Avoid touching the canopy, oils from your fingers may affect the tinting (use rubber gloves).

3. Find a container larger than your canopy, preferably something you don't intend to use again.

4. Use hot water (140°F), and fill your container to a depth one (1) inch above the canopy.

5. Add 1 cup of vinegar for each gallon of water used.

6. Mix in two parts of black dye and one part of Royal Blue dye thoroughly, there should be no clumps.
(Note: This combination will produce a smoked tint. You could also use straight Black or any other color desired.
I used 3 total packs of dye in a 10 Gallon plastic garabage can. Perhaps I should have used more dye to reduce
the total time needed to get the right level of tint.)

7. Depending on the tint desired this process could take anywhere from 20 minutes up to 12 hours.

8. Once your canopy has reached the desired tint, remove and rinse with cold water.

9. Now marvel at that spectacular tinted canopy, and giggle at how cheap and easy it was to do.

10. Now say to yourself … Damn I’m Good!

I did try and maintain the water temp for a couple of hours, but then just kind of left it alone. The other point to make is I prefer a rather dark tint. You may not and others have reported adequate tinting in as little as 20 minutes. This is certainly not an exact science as their are a large number of variables. You just have to work at it until you get what you want. I believe the trick to avoid any chance of warping is to avoid water temp over 140°F and dye the canopy before you trim in any way.

OK! I think I git the info on tinting I needed. A little bit more help with attaching would be great. Doesn't canopy glue get messy and mess up the canopy? I see a lot of tape around canopy edges. What kind of tape are people using?

My plan was to use a few small screws and then find some kind of tape. Now I'm not sure. It is a large canopy (33% Weeks Solution aircraft).

Thanks for all the input.

Bill

Hi Bill,

If you want to use tape I have had some success with strips of "Solar Trim" or auto pinstriping tape. These are usually ok for a time with petrol (gas) powered models but with glow fuel you need to seal the edges with clear nail polish or similar to stop the residue lifting the edges. I've never been happy with the results using canopy glue but that'd probably just my ham fisted approach.

Cheers,

Colin