Question: What is the best way to go about replacing a Canopy or formed clear plastic windshield or window on a VMAR model?

Answer: Actually it is not difficult if you go about it the right way. Please review the entire process listed below before actually doing anything.  

The key to this process is to NOT remove the entire old canopy off the model. If you take the old canopy entirely off the model you run the risk of damaging the covering AND will have a more difficult time aligning the new canopy into position.

1) First of all do NOT totally remove the old canopy!  We don't want to take a chance on spoiling the covering so we are going to leave the portion of the old canopy in place that currently is bonded to the covering.

2) Instead of removing the old canopy, carefully clean it all off with Fantastic and paper towels. This will remove all oil, dirt and grime. Clean the canopy and surrounding fuselage area twice.

3) Use Pacer (the ZAP people) RC56 Canopy Glue or Pacer DAP-A-GOO to carefully bond any loose spots of the bird cage back into place on the fuselage. If you've had a crash carefully retrieve and reuse as must of the bird cage "bottom edge" as possible. Ideally you want the bird cage contact area firmly bonded to the fuselage. Will CA work... yes but be careful to avoid "clorosis" which leaves a white powder like residue... use Pacer Poly Zap or Plasti Zap to reduce clorosis effects. Best of all is the Canopy Glue.  

3) Now take a new SHARP #11 Xacto blade and carefully cut the canopy just above the surrounding "bird cage" or frame material. We want to leave the bird cage in place.  If you have a model that has a canopy without a bird cage or frame, cut the canopy just above where it is bonded to the fuselage.

4) Now inspect the remaining bird cage or canopy and make sure that it is bonded to the fuselage... you can work from "inside" the canopy area now if you have to.

5) Carefully trial fit the new canopy on top of the remains of the old bird cage or remainder of the old canopy if no bird cage was present. You should get a nearly perfect fit, particularly when using the old bird cage. The simulated rivets will key exactly into the new canopy rivets.

6) After trial fitting the new bird cage, use Pacer RC56 Canopy glue to carefully bond it into place. Clean up any excess adhesive before it cures. Check several times in case adhesive oozes out. Use low tack masking tape to hold the new canopy into place until the RC56 has thoroughly dried.

That's it!