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How to Mold a Model Airplane Canopy

In order to fix a cracked plastic canopy of a model airplane, it may be necessary to buy a second model in order to get a perfect replacement. Or, you can mold a silicone plastic copy of the canopy to use instead. The silicone plastic supplies can be purchased from a hardware store as can other supplies needed. Household supplies are required as well.

Things You'll Need

Newspapers
10 by 14 by 8 inch plastic container
Paper cup
Ruler
Utility knife
Model airplane canopy
Rice box
Measuring cups
Electronic meter scale
2 plastic cups
Hardener
Wooden stir stick
Duct tape

Instructions

- 1
  Cover a table with sheets of newspaper. Place the plastic container on the newspaper with the open end facing up. Measure four inches up from the bottom of a paper cup. Cut through the paper cut at the four inch mark with a utility knife. Dispose of the excess paper cup.
- 2
  Measure four inches up from the bottom of a paper cup. Cut through the paper cup at the four inch mark with a utility knife. Dispose of the excess paper cup. Pour the rice from the cup into a measuring cup to determine how many fluid ounces of silicone are needed.
- 3
  Empty the rice from the cup. Pour silicone base into the cup until it reaches the same amount as the rice.
- 4
  Place an electronic meter scale on the table. Turn the scale on. Set the scale to measure ̶0;grams̶1; by adjusting the controls on its front. Measure an empty measuring cup on the scale. Measure the cup that has the silicone base in it. Subtract the weight of the empty cup from the other.
- 5
  Divide the total weight of the silicon by 10 to get the amount needed for the hardener. Write this number down. Place an empty cup on the scale. Note the weight of the cup. Add hardener to the cup until the total amount is the number that was written down, plus that of the cup. Turn the scale off.
- 6
  Pour the hardener into the cup that has the silicone base in it. Stir the mixture inside the cup with a wooden stir stick. Stop stirring the mixture when it is of a single color when viewed from the top as well as from the side of the cup.
- 7
  Measure an inch up from the bottom of a paper cup. Cut a one inch hole in the side at the one inch mark with a utility knife, Cover the hole with a strip of duct tape. Pour the mixed silicone into the cup.
- 8
  Place the plastic container on the floor beneath the edge of the table. Place the cup with the hole on its side on the edge of the table over the container. Rotate the cup so the tape is facing the edge.
- 9
  Remove the tape from the cup. Adjust the position of the container so the falling silicone is entering the cup at an edge away from the canopy inside.
- 10
  Cover up the hole with tape when the canopy inside the cup is completely covered by silicone. Allow the silicone to cure as per the instructions that come with it before removing the mold.

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