Follow these steps to produce a mirror finish on polyethylene (bleach bottle) canopies such as the Raptor, Nexus, etc.  Remember, it is impossible to obtain as durable a finish as you can with fiberglass.  Still, it should last you several hundred flights.

1. Wash the canopy in warm, soapy water.
2. Sand with 100 grit paper - dry.  Sand thoroughly!  Get it stringy - that's ok.
3. Spray on a flexible bumper primer available at auto parts stores.
4. Spray a wet coat of auto primer.
5. Spray a coat of black lacquer over the primer - this 'guide coat' will assist you in sanding the primer - you'll see what I mean when you start sanding.
6. Sand with 220 grit paper - wet, removing most of the primer.  The primer should only be left in the low spots.
7. Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 until you get a very smooth finish - usually 4 repeats.
8. Spray one more coat of primer and guide coat, then sand with 400 grit - wet.
9. Spray color coat(s).
10. Apply any vinyl trim, lettering, etc.
11. Spray two coats of automotive clear coat.  Do not use clear coat from a spray can, as they will yellow and get sticky when exposed to our high nitro fuels.

Any questions?  E-mail me.