Beyond The Sprues

Modelling => Tips, Tools & Techniques => Topic started by: GTX_Admin on August 08, 2012, 03:48:25 AM

Title: Yellowing of canopies and clear parts
Post by: GTX_Admin on August 08, 2012, 03:48:25 AM

Hi folks,

Any suggestions for dealing with yellowing f clear parts such as canopies?

Regards,

Greg

Title: Re: Yellowing of canopies and clear parts
Post by: Brian da Basher on August 09, 2012, 06:11:06 AM

Short of sanding and polishing, my only thought would be to try the same trick used on yellowed decals: set it so it gets sun (but make sure it doesn't get hot enough to melt the plastic!) and see if that helps. Of course, you'd want to give the canopy a thorough cleaning first.

Brian da Basher

Title: Re: Yellowing of canopies and clear parts
Post by: kitnut617 on August 09, 2012, 07:37:05 AM

I've heard of vacuform canopies yellowing but not injection ones Greg, and I couldn't begin to suggest a solution. I think Brian's polishing idea would be best.

Title: Re: Yellowing of canopies and clear parts
Post by: GTX_Admin on August 09, 2012, 03:10:01 PM

They are vacuform canopies that I'm talking about.

Title: Re: Yellowing of canopies and clear parts
Post by: kitnut617 on August 09, 2012, 09:20:02 PM

I don't think putting them in the sun will help then, from what I've read there's not much you can do other than replace them.  In the box of CF-105 parts that came with the moulds I bought, there's a few sets of canopies which have turned or are turning yellow, I'll probably have to dump them as I can't sell them like that.  Maybe an email to Falcon and see what they might suggest   ???

Title: Re: Yellowing of canopies and clear parts
Post by: GTX_Admin on August 10, 2012, 02:13:12 AM

Thanks - that's what I have concluded as well.  One idea I had was to use the parts to create moulds and then use the moulds to create new ones...

Title: Re: Yellowing of canopies and clear parts
Post by: kitnut617 on August 10, 2012, 03:55:55 AM

Quote from: GTX_Admin on August 10, 2012, 02:13:12 AM

One idea I had was to use the parts to create moulds and then use the moulds to create new ones...

That would work, use a 'female' mould though ---

Title: Re: Yellowing of canopies and clear parts
Post by: GTX_Admin on August 11, 2012, 02:33:32 AM

Why is that?

Title: Re: Yellowing of canopies and clear parts
Post by: kitnut617 on August 11, 2012, 03:07:15 AM

A female mould gives nice crisp edges whereas a male mould ends up with very rounded or soft edges, like for framework etc.  Of course you'd have to make some tiny drill holes in the female mould and then vacuform them.

Here's a pic of the canopy mould that came with the CF-105 stuff.  Of course your's wouldn't have to be so elaborate ---