Clear Window Finishing

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone would care to divulge what they do for their clear windows? eg, prep parts, polish with (said product), mask paint trim with (said product), wax, install, clean up with? etc etc.

Mine are coming up OK, but It's something I am wondering about if I could do better. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Nenad

mask, paint, dip in Future floor wax

I always use a bit of wood polish to clean up my clear parts, and once installed and I know I'm not going to touch the part again, a bit of Tamiya model wax. This stuff always removes finger prints.

I mask with Tamiya Masking Tape, paint with Tamiya XF-1 Black, polish with Novus No. 1 plastic cleaner. I've tried Future, but not had much luck. The plastic has to be super clean before you dunk it, then you must keep dust from landing on the surface.

Hope this helps.

I've tried Future, but not had much luck. The plastic has to be super clean before you dunk it, then you must keep dust from landing on the surface.

what I do is brush off any dust and dunk it in future on try to quicky remove excess from pooling up, them place in container with lid.

Hi Nens,

Biggest thing I do is try to handle the clear parts as little as possible, to avoid any scratches or dirty fingerprints. I've had some sucess polishing with Tamiya polishing compund to remove minor blemishes. I'd like to find some soft cotton gloves to keep things even cleaner.

I polish mine with Tamiya finishing polish then dunk it in Shine Magic by Johnson wax (futures for those living in Australia). It somehow makes the plastic part look thinner??
I then put the part on a paper cloth to soak up the excess, then leave it in a sealed container overnight.

Has anyone tried sanding with 2000 grit and then moving up to 6000/8000 using micro mesh polishing stix? When the plastic is cloudy but smooth dip it in future/polish. I have heard of this technique used in Aircraft modelling but I am not sure if its worth it for a large 1/24 window?

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/tnt1/001-100/TNT021_Cyrstal_Clear_Canopies/tnt021.htm

I am about to tackle a window and am considering this option.

Thanks

Deep

Hi Nens,

Biggest thing I do is try to handle the clear parts as little as possible, to avoid any scratches or dirty fingerprints. I've had some sucess polishing with Tamiya polishing compund to remove minor blemishes. I'd like to find some soft cotton gloves to keep things even cleaner.

Hey Phil,
I think Big W, Woolies, or Coles should have cotton gloves. I need a pair as well.

My biggest problem was the particular kit in question is my Revell Lamborghini Diablo VT. The kit came with the clear in the same bag as the kit. So as you may well gather it was scratched. But worse than that, the clear is of a lesser quality than a Tamiya clear. So, it needs all the help it can get. I did polish with Tamiya polishing compound, but I might get some Tamiya wax and use it on my next project. This was after using a Detail Master polishing cloth set.

Regards
Nens

Micromesh, polish - sounds like you've done all you can short of vacforming a replacement! :eek:

That isn't the VT with the full engine is it? I've given up trying to scrounge one of those beasties.

I might have to mention the cotton gloves to the wife, she's far better at finding things in department stores than I'll ever be. :)

where do you get shine magic? I have looked in coles, woolworths and bunnings and not found it.

Micromesh, polish - sounds like you've done all you can short of vacforming a replacement! :eek:


Umm, I tried scratchbuilding the windows from clear acetate. No good.
I think it's the Revell windows. They are really ordinary and require a lot of work.



That isn't the VT with the full engine is it? I've given up trying to scrounge one of those beasties.


Yes. The Revell kit.
We have several of them here at the local. Did you want one? $22.
Here's my WIP thread.

http://www.scaleracecars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198

where do you get shine magic? I have looked in coles, woolworths and bunnings and not found it.
I don't believe they make it anymore unfortunately. There is probably some equivalent still about. "Stride" rings a bell for some reason. Anyway I don't think it was quite the same as future anyway. Cloudy, not completely clear.

Yes. The Revell kit.
We have several of them here at the local. Did you want one? $22.
Here's my WIP thread.

http://www.scaleracecars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198

Oh yeah, I remember that thread, been on the bench for as long as some of my builds! I actually gave up looking for the Revell kit and bought the Fujimi version. Minimal engine detail but the doors open. :)