2.6 260 Comp ARF

[Chris Wood]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone tell me how i tint my canopy.
What works what does not??

[rcdart]

Chris, Richo has done a few using a VHT product, I dont know the number of it, but it seems to do a good job, if he does not jump in here, give him a call at DA Aust when they go back to work on Wednesday and I'm sure he will put you on the right track.

[Chris Wood]

Thanks Mick i will do that and see what the go is.I have read some info on fabric dye which can do this? Thanks again.

[rcdart]

Ritt Dye, very messy, tedious and time consuming from what I have heard.

[b0Bro's dad]

Chris,
I used VHT 'Smoke' SP-171 which is freely available at most "AutoMart" stores, to tint the canopy on an Xtreme Composites Extra 260. I found it to be a very easy product to use as long as you were anal about getting the canopy absolutely clean and dust free before use and kept it that way while it dried overnight. The only word of warning is that some four months after I tinted the canopy, it was very brittle and split when I dropped it onto the floor from a low bench. Now this may have been because the temperature was cooler than it liked (I was in shorts and tee shirt) or because I used petrol to clean the canopy before tinting which did make it very cool at the time. I've retained the split tinted canopy to use as a template for the new one and it now seems to be flexible enough so I'm not sure I can blame the tint. Even so, I would test it on some off-cut before I used it on another canopy.
Hope this helps,
Ian

[Chris Wood]

Thanks Ian, I will visit my auto shop and see if they have some. Perhaps i should warm the canopy before i spray it? Do you know if the paint comes in different colours? a Green or Blue would be nice.
I am in the process of mounting the motor DA 85 with tuned pipe. I intend mounting it side mount as i here it might be better for cooling.
Thanks for your reply

[Richo]

Just noticed this thread! As Brobro's dad mentioned VHT 171 window tint is pretty good. It's pretty easy to apply and is way easier and more resiliant than rit dye!

Unlike Ian, I have experienced no problems with the canopy going brittle, even after washing the canopy clean with fuel. VHT is the go!

[sideways]

Apparently Tamiya window tint sprays like an airbrush and works well.
They use this in RC cars.

However, i have not tried it myself, so i have no idea if this is true.

[DesertHucker]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sideways
	Apparently Tamiya window tint sprays like an airbrush and works well. They use this in RC cars. However, i have not tried it myself, so i have no idea if this is true.

I have tried it.
Good on RC cars small windows, but on large canopies it looks speckled.
Even tried to warm the can first.

[sideways]

thanks, you saved my bacon on that one.

sounds like the VHT is the go.

	Quote: Originally Posted by DesertHucker
	I have tried it. Good on RC cars small windows, but on large canopies it looks speckled. Even tried to warm the can first.

[Chris Wood]

Thanks Guys, i will try VHT and let you know if i have to buy a new canopy!

[planes]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Chris Wood
	Hi Guys, Can anyone tell me how i tint my canopy. What works what does not??

hello chris condys crystles mixed in a container of water and soak the canopy over night and some weight to hold the canopy under water..

[Jamieman]

	Quote: Originally Posted by planes
	hello chris condys crystles mixed in a container of water and soak the canopy over night and some weight to hold the canopy under water..

I've gotta do mine in the next couple of days.
How does the condis crystals work??

[hwka]

	Quote: Originally Posted by planes
	hello chris condys crystles mixed in a container of water and soak the canopy over night and some weight to hold the canopy under water..

Interesting.
I am about to jump into the abyss and try tinting a canopy and intend experimenting with a spare canopy that survived one of my regular fuselage shortening incidents....OK, crash.
Condy's crystals fits the KISS criteria....but isn't that purple?
My preference is grey/black although I did find that a black canopy on a previous model substantially increased the cockpit temperature.
Does tinting ...using whatever method... highlight existing scratches?
Some photos would be great

[AussieStuntMan]

There is another product readily available at Automotive stores which works well "Night Shade" it comes in an aerosole Can and will tint the canopy very quicly and drying time is very quick also