Uncurling a painted Canopy?
 

I painted my canopy for my P51B a couple of weeks back. Went to install it today and, unfortunately, found that it had "curled" inward significantly. I assume that the paint I used on the inside of the canopy dried and shrank a bit.

Now I can't get it shaped correctly to the fuselage for installation.

Big question is how to "uncurl" it. Any thoughts about heating the canopy w/hot water to make the plastic more pliable?

Other ideas?

R

Uncurling a painted Canopy?
 

I have used my heat gun on a deformed canopy with decent results. It's best to find something hard that is the shape you want your canopy to be. I just recently left a plane in my car to long, and it melted! I ordered a new one, but untill it comes in, I heated it with my gun and shaped it using a towel to protect my hand from the heat. Maybe not the best recommendation.....

Uncurling a painted Canopy?
 

Forget the heat-gun....it will only make it worse...

Uncurling a painted Canopy?
 

You didn't say what paint you used. Might it have been TF Lustre Coat? I found that Lustre Coat is not compatible with Great Planes canopies, at least not the one supplied with their P-51. I painted the framing on the outside of the canopy and it deformed the canopy so much that it looked like something very heavy had squashed it.

Uncurling a painted Canopy?
 

Yes, it was LustreCoat. Canopy did not flatten, but did curl significantly.

Uncurling a painted Canopy?
 

OK guys, do not use Lustre Coat on canopies! We have suffered the consequences already and now you know the stuff may destroy the canopy.

Uncurling a painted Canopy?
 

What kind of paint will work on canopies?

Uncurling a painted Canopy?
 

get the testors transparent paint. I just bought some and it works like a charm.

Uncurling a painted Canopy?
 

I don't think the problem is just with Lustercoat. The Lustercoat can even states that it will curl canopies, but I think it is because of the solvents which are widely used in the industry.

Despite what the can said, I used it anyway without curling. I primered first with Rustolium (grey) and then shot the lightest coat possible of Lustercoat grey that I could. It seem to work, but the plane is fairly new and only time will tell if the finish will be durable.