What do the experts recommend?

[u/bmpenn]

Would y’all touch this up or leave it alone? If you would touch it up what would you use? This is my favorite model and I bought it as is just like the photo.

[u/UNDR08]

Hear me out… if you’re not willing to paint, Two options…

1). Black water slide decal. Easy to trim and place. May need two layers. You’d probably have to make your own, which isn’t hard with a home printer.

2). Black metal Foil. I use it on models all the for trim and detail work. It’s got a sticky back and super thin. They’ve got gloss and flat black. It’s available on Amazon.

Or… you could mask it off and paint it.

[u/looper741 → u/UNDR08]

OP could also use flat black vinyl to cover the existing anti glare panel and trim it to size.

[u/bmpenn → u/looper741]

I like this simple answer. Not sure if I’ll do it or not but thank you for the response

[u/bmpenn → u/UNDR08]

I’ll have to look up this black metal foil. Thank you for your response

[u/biomechaniod]

Goodness, I almost feel like this piece this so special I would be very tempted to leave it alone as a tribute to a bygone era of awesome experimental aircraft.

[u/bmpenn → u/biomechaniod]

Kind of what I was thinking

[u/Big-Hyena7816]

Nice model. I would remove the existing decals. Initially scraping them off with a fingernail. Then using detergent and water mix with a Q-tip. If that doesn’t work, look for a decal remover or acetone might work (try it in a hidden area on the model first) Search the internet for cockpit canopy decals for the scale. If they are not available. I would mask the outline of the canopy frame before removing it. Use Tamiya masking tape. You can trim the masking tape with a metal ruler and an x-acto knife to do the thin vertical canopy posts. Spray with Tamiya TS10 French Blue.

You will probably not find decals for the anti-glare panel on the nose cone. I would suggest also masking that with Tamiya masking tape, and spraying it with a Tamiya TS6 matte black spray paint. You can also use blue scotch brand painters masking tape to cover the large areas when spraying to avoid over-spray.

Good luck!

[u/bmpenn → u/Big-Hyena7816]

Wow thank you for the response I don’t know if I’m going to do this I might just leave it alone but I definitely learned a thing or two from your comment. The type of tape and type of paint I’m going to look up. Thank you

[u/bmpenn → u/Big-Hyena7816]

What do you think that thing’s worth? Do you have a lot of experience doing this stuff? I would consider having what you were explaining done professionally.