Pilot or no Pilot....

[xtremeRCpilot]

This is a more personal preference I quess but would like to know how many of you are using a pilot bust for the scale look or just leaving them out for whatever reason?. Need help as I am building my second 30% yak and am down to details. I cant stand the avereage joe pilot busts and want to know my alternatives. I've seen the helmet racing pilots(although cool looking) would like to be more original. Any suggestions would be great!!!Thanks in advance.. John

[Edge 540]

Unless required....no. The cheap ones look terrible and the good ones are extremely expensive. I would rather tint the canopy in most cases.

[plaster93]

Aircraft International has some cool lookin ones made from foam,there cheap and different looking.

[xtremeRCpilot]

Thanks for the info Plaster93! Now where talking. Nice price and a little different than the normal pilot. Any others out there? Thanks for the help!!!

[xtremeRCpilot]

Thanks Edge540, I like the look of the tinted canopy but dont know how to do it properly without black spray paint. Someone suggested dipping it in black hair dye but it could melt some plastics and end up costing me more to replace it....Any recommended techniques? This is still a great option!

[73drvr]

You can tint a canopy with a product called rit dye. You can find it in some fabric stores. I also saw it in Stop and Shop. You mix it as per directions and soak your canopy. I used to do that for small electrics.

Personally, airplanes to me look totally naked with no pilot. Especially if it is any sort of scale bird. Chief Aircraft has some good ones.

[xtremeRCpilot]

	Quote: Originally Posted by 73drvr
	You can tint a canopy with a product called rit dye. You can find it in some fabric stores. I also saw it in Stop and Shop. You mix it as per directions and soak your canopy. I used to do that for small electrics. Personally, airplanes to me look totally naked with no pilot. Especially if it is any sort of scale bird. Chief Aircraft has some good ones.

Thank you, I will try this out on my smaller canopies first.

I like the scale look with a pilot, but want to be a little different, maybe a Star Wars Tie fighter pilot or something like that....Cant find anything of that nature without adding a ton of weight.

Some great suggestions so far!!!!

[Boulder]

I use Pactra window tint. The only thing is, you need to heat the can up in some hot water to keep it from splattering. If you bring the can up to about 90 degrees and shake it real well, it comes out much cleaner.

The RIT dye work on some canopies, and not for others, it depends on the material used. Using the dye method will also limit the depth of tint you get, the plastic will only accept so much color. In using the spray method, just add more coats until you get the amount of color you want, light, even coats. Do not get impatient, let it dry fully between coats.

Oh yeah, I'm sure you already know this, but just in case, spray the inside of the canopy.

[xtremeRCpilot]

	Quote: Originally Posted by kennyandannie
	I use Pactra window tint. The only thing is, you need to heat the can up in some hot water to keep it from splattering. If you bring the can up to about 90 degrees and shake it real well, it comes out much cleaner. The RIT dye work on some canopies, and not for others, it depends on the material used. Using the dye method will also limit the depth of tint you get, the plastic will only accept so much color. In using the spray method, just add more coats until you get the amount of color you want, light, even coats. Do not get impatient, let it dry fully between coats. Oh yeah, I'm sure you already know this, but just in case, spray the inside of the canopy.

Thanks Ken, I cant wait to try these methods as I have been wanting to tint out several of my canopys and now feel more confident of product use. Yes, the inside of the canopy is what I thought, plus I already put pinstripe detail on the outside. I will see if my local auto parts store has this product. Thanks again! John

[Boulder]

	Quote: Originally Posted by xtremeRCpilot
	Thanks Ken, I cant wait to try these methods as I have been wanting to tint out several of my canopys and now feel more confident of product use. Yes, the inside of the canopy is what I thought, plus I already put pinstripe detail on the outside. I will see if my local auto parts store has this product. Thanks again! John

Try a hobby shop that sells plastic models. Pactra is a tint made for windows of plastic model kits.

[xtremeRCpilot]

Thanks ken, I will check my local hobby shops tomorrow. Do you have any suggestions of an online source? I apprieciate your help, John.

[Boulder]

How's this for service?


http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...+tint&FVPROFIL=++