Tape residue on canopies

[AeroplaneDriver]

The Italeri F-100 I'm working on right now came with no canopy (ebay, I knew it was missing).  I wasnt too concerned because I had a canopy from an old, unfinished Italeri F-100 in the parts box.  Unfortunately I had masked that canopy with strips of tape 10+ years ago when I bought the kit.

Now that I've taken the tape off there is tape residue all over the canopy.  I've tried warm soap and water and soaking in alcohol (10 mins), with no effect.  This isnt a huge deal since I have an ERTL F-100 in the stash that has donated a canopy to this project, but eventually I'm going to be short a canopy if I cant get this one looking good again.

Any suggestions?

[Leigh]

Sand it? I know that's a scary prospect but those true grit polishing sticks or the three grit nail polishing sticks you get in the cosmetics dept work amazing on scratches, Folowed up with a bit of toothpaste or silver polish.

[SimonR]

I can recommend "Betterware Sticky Stuff Remover" and a cotton bud. It's never failed to shift residue for me.The bottle is mysteriously vague about it's composition, but I guess it's vaguely acidic.

Failing that, as Leigh said, sanding, micromesh and bath in Future is not a bad option.

[Aircav]

Could try brake fluid

[noxioux]

Denatured alcohol will work well, and it won't damage the plastic.

[dragon]

What scale is it?  I know that Squadron makes an F-100 canopy in 1/48 that goes for $3.00 or so.  I could have sworn I saw something similar in 1/72.

[retro_seventies]

wd-40 on a q-tip works so so (if you have patience and wash it aftrwards in warm soapy water), or you can get something we use at the zoo for our signs and displays...."goo gone"

http://www.magicamerican.com/gg_images/GG3_big.gif

they sell it most hardware stores (ace, lowes, or the "home despot") - our local grocery store carries it too...

as with the wd-40, put it on a rag or a q-tip...

hope that helps...    

[AeroplaneDriver]

Thanks for all the tips guys!  I'm sure I'll get one of them to work before I'm ready to do another F-100.

Nick

[Leigh]

Could try brake fluid

Last time I tried brake fluid it softened the styrene like it was getting ready to melt it, would be real cautious about using it on clear parts.

[AeroplaneDriver]

WD-40 on a q-tip worked well. Thanks!

[cthulhu77]

wd40 works out usually, you can also use vegetable oil, for some odd reason...makes you wonder about eating food, though.  Glad your canopy came out well.