Global Scale Modeller

My current project is the Tamiya 1/48 F-16CJ Block 50. The kit (luckily) came two canopies, one clear and one smoked. I plan on using the smoked canopy in open cockpit position, and using the clear for masking. Last night I noticed that both canopies have a BIG raised ridge along the length on top from the molding process I guess. The F-16 has a completely clear unobscured bubble canopy. I have never had to deal with this issue.

I am looking for any suggestions and products to remove the ridge and polish it nice and clear. I have plenty time before I will be at the point of installing and I can use the clear as a test piece.

I've always used a brand new blade to shave it off carefully. Any remaining ridge can be sanded off with increasingly fine grits, then Tamiya polishing compound. You can put a strip of masking tape either side of the ridge to protect the surrounding area too.

ElCapitan wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2020 6:05 pm I've always used a brand new blade to shave it off carefully. Any remaining ridge can be sanded off with increasingly fine grits, then Tamiya polishing compound. You can put a strip of masking tape either side of the ridge to protect the surrounding area too.

I second this! I have nothing to add.

ElCapitan wrote: Wed Oct 07, 2020 6:05 pm I've always used a brand new blade to shave it off carefully. Any remaining ridge can be sanded off with increasingly fine grits, then Tamiya polishing compound. You can put a strip of masking tape either side of the ridge to protect the surrounding area too.

Thanks for the advise. this did work with a little help from a semi-local hobby shop. Still not perfect, but not bad for a first attempt. waiting on polishing compound to arrive to give it a nice shine.