Clear canopy question

[AKRoast]

I am still trying to perfect the art of good looking clear canopies. The current build (1/32nd Tamiya Corsair) I did the canopy I thought very carefully and per what I read and saw from multiple sources:
1) I used a clear finish fluid to make it look more real (in my case I don't have any Future but I had bought a small jar of "Looks Like Glass" at my LHS. I had read this is same stuff, essentially, as Future.) I dipped the pieces in the jar and then let dry 48 hours.

2) I masked the outside clear "glass" areas using the kit's pre-drawn masks, and then I turned them over and masked all of interior w/ Tamiya masking tape.

3) I next sprayed the interior frame color on the outside surface and let dry overnight,

4) I then sprayed on two coats of the Tamiya AS-8 exterior color.

So far so good.

Next,
5) After drying a few hours, I removed the masking.
And then it looked bad- the masking tape (both the kit's and from the roll) had left a dull-ing texture on the clear areas. It's like I got fingerprints all over it, but I did not.

I believe it was the Tamiya masking tape interacting with the Clear As Glass stuff. Maybe that stuff never dries hard enough??

Any suggestions for carefully removing this texture without abrading the clear plastic areas or removing or otherwise damaging the Tamiya AS exterior color from the frames? I think I will throw out the expensive "Clear as Glass" stuff, or only brush it on after painting and removing masking.

 

[stevethefish]

Any suggestions for carefully removing this texture without abrading the clear plastic areas or removing or otherwise damaging the Tamiya AS exterior color from the frames? I think I will throw out the expensive "Clear as Glass" stuff, or only brush it on after painting and removing masking.

I'm not familiar with Clear as glass since I do not live in America. I can say that from dipping clear parts into Future though, it dries without worry. (And it's a good thing too, since a sticky floor would feel really gross.)

If that stuff is acrylic-based, it should come off with a bath of glass cleaner. I think that would be the best. Give that a shot.

 

[AKRoast]

Glass cleaner helped, but was still dull. Tried then brushing on more of the stuff, which was okay but it is definitely nothing like the examples I have seen where the plastic is crystal clear

 

[Jim62]

I've never used that stuff before but perhaps you didn't let it cure long enough. Look on line for reviews of that item and see what you find, check on youtube there may be a tutorial on the stuff. I did notice you said you put masking on the inside of the canopy. Now that sounds like a major pain and it is not needed. Get yourself some silly putty and put it inside the canopy when you paint. Much easier and faster.

 

[AKRoast]

I've never used that stuff before but perhaps you didn't let it cure long enough. Look on line for reviews of that item and see what you find, check on youtube there may be a tutorial on the stuff. I did notice you said you put masking on the inside of the canopy. Now that sounds like a major pain and it is not needed. Get yourself some silly putty and put it inside the canopy when you paint. Much easier and faster.

Hi thanks, the interior masking was just applying quick strips of tape, with overhang to use as a handle, to prevent getting paint on the interior side.