Canopy fogging

[Iggy]

Hi fellas

I'm wondering if you have any ideas as to why my forward canopy is fogging on the inside after removing the masking.

I'm at the multiple clear coat stage, and every time I re-mask, paint and remove, it happens again (and its a super PIA to get into)

I had polished it prior with Tamiya Fine and then Finish, but washed it thoroughly thereafter.

Have you come across this problem before?

Thanks

Iggy

[Collin]

Are you using CA anyplace in the build?  Typically, if CA is still off-gassing...it will fog a canopy that doesn't have a clear coat on it.  I still dip my canopies in Future and that prevents the fogging.  

 

Cheers

Collin

[Iggy]

hey Collin

no CA glue in that area.

it just seems to be the tape on the outside that causes it.

Really weird

I should have used Future though, good tip!

 

[chuck540z3]

Is the fogging easy to wipe off or stuck to the canopy?  If it’s the former, this is very common and a result of dried clear coat mist getting into the cockpit somehow.  Happens to me all the time.  Despite it being a PITA to remove, micro brushes and tiny rags will remove it.  If it’s kind of stuck to the canopy, you have a direct leak in your masking somewhere, which is a much bigger problem!

 

Cheers,

Chuck

[Iggy]

Hi Chuck

yeah, it's able to be wiped away, like a powder but very thin misty lines. Hard to get to though.

So you think it's a result of cockpit contamination from the clear passes?

I'll try more scrupulous masking.

Any other tips?

[nmayhew]

15 hours ago, Iggy said:

hey Collin

no CA glue in that area.

it just seems to be the tape on the outside that causes it.

Really weird

I should have used Future though, good tip!

 

 

hi,

no, you don't need to have used Future; it's personal choice, but is absolutely not "I must do this..."

non-blooming CA glues are available if fogging is a concern (I think PVA based glues just don't offer the 'muscle power') or you can just use Tamiya extra thin etc

 

whilst it's difficult to be 100% on the cause without a complete list of materials used and some photos...as others have alluded to, the most likely cause is teeny weeny gaps in your masking

 

without knowing the project itself, it's a bit difficult to offer detailed 'how to' solutions beyond saying 'pay closer attention'  but...

 - one of my favourite options is to use a spare canopy to protect the cockpit etc

it can be held in place with PVA (ie it can be removed with force without causing trauma to the plastic, and residue washed off with water), blu-tac, or even reverse masked (tape the windshield border on the inside, with an overlap, and place the dummy canopy on top)

- dense foam to fill the cockpit (not 100% if you are blasting stuff at gaps, but will generally do the job)

 

best of luck

 

Nick

[Iggy]

Thanks Nick, great ideas.

I'm tending toward using BluTac (lots of it) on the next pass. That should be very airtight.

Ah, the subject it the Reskit F-111 Cockpit Escape Module.

Fun build. Interesting subject.

The problem area is the forward windscreen. The rake angle, depth and clearance to the combing for the clean up is tighter than a tiger. Still, I shall keep pressing on.

Here are some pics from last week, before the decals and before the hassles with the final clear.

If it happens again, I'l

l take some shots.

Thanks for all the input!

Much appreciated

Iggy

 

 

 

Edited February 11 by Iggy

[Mal_Belford]

On 2/11/2026 at 11:25 AM, nmayhew said:

 

hi,

no, you don't need to have used Future; it's personal choice, but is absolutely not "I must do this..."

non-blooming CA glues are available if fogging is a concern (I think PVA based glues just don't offer the 'muscle power') or you can just use Tamiya extra thin etc

 

whilst it's difficult to be 100% on the cause without a complete list of materials used and some photos...as others have alluded to, the most likely cause is teeny weeny gaps in your masking

 

without knowing the project itself, it's a bit difficult to offer detailed 'how to' solutions beyond saying 'pay closer attention'  but...

 - one of my favourite options is to use a spare canopy to protect the cockpit etc

it can be held in place with PVA (ie it can be removed with force without causing trauma to the plastic, and residue washed off with water), blu-tac, or even reverse masked (tape the windshield border on the inside, with an overlap, and place the dummy canopy on top)

- dense foam to fill the cockpit (not 100% if you are blasting stuff at gaps, but will generally do the job)

 

best of luck

 

Nick

That is exactly the way i do nowdays, if have spare canopy, use it as a sacrifical one.....yep did that on my ongoing Arado project..thats not finnished yet.

 

But im with you.

[Iggy]

Hey, big thanks to Chuck and everyone!

I double masked it, and sealed it scrupulously.

All good, no reoccurring problems.

I'll post up more when it's complete.

Cheers

Iggy

 

[nmayhew]

I can't see the pics (it's a UK thing) but glad you got everything sorted!

[Iggy]

Hey fellas

Thanks for your help.

All done now, and I'll slap some shots up on Ready For Inspection.

Cheers