Alclad II vs. Kosutte Gin San...bye, bye Alclad!

[John18d]

Originally Posted by Zonic2001

Can't find this product anywhere. The couple of places in Japan are sold out. Anyone knows, PM me?

Zonic2001 - it is already all sold out in Japan - there was a limited amount produced and distributed between HWJapan - HLJ - and Hobby Search - all of it sold out in minutes to a few hours - it is now on back order again with no projected date of re-supply. This stuff must have some really deadly compounds in it because otherwise it would be available everywhere - John

[John18d]

Originally Posted by dubstar

Has anyone actually clear-coated this stuff yet? results?

dubstar - once it has been rubbed "buffed" it should not need a clear applied - it should be safe for touching - I have read others have found it loses it's visual effect when cleared - John

[KevHw]

Originally Posted by John18d

dubstar - once it has been rubbed "buffed" it should not need a clear applied - it should be safe for touching - I have read others have found it loses it's visual effect when cleared - John

So does anyone know how suitable it would be if we were to use coloured clears over it, like for heatstaining exhausts?

[John18d]

Originally Posted by KevHw

So does anyone know how suitable it would be if we were to use coloured clears over it, like for heatstaining exhausts?

dubstar - That can be done - I have used a thin coat of "transparent" Alclad colors like the yellow and red over the Kosutte Ginsan and it works okay - just a little of the reflectivity is lost. I would imagine if the overcoat is too opaque it will lose the "metal" sheen effect. - John

[racer93]

Originally Posted by John18d

dubstar - That can be done - I have used a thin coat of "transparent" Alclad colors like the yellow and red over the Kosutte Ginsan and it works okay - just a little of the reflectivity is lost. I would imagine if the overcoat is too opaque it will lose the "metal" sheen effect. - John

It's probably more effective to use Tamiya's "Weathering Sets" to heat stain, etc. Or, possibly use something less "hot" like an acrylic color. Most anything put over it (in terms of paint/clear) will bother KGS.

[Didymus]

Originally Posted by racer93

Or, possibly use something less "hot" like an acrylic color.

Some interesting effects might be possible by putting a transparent acrylic over KGS. But after polishing, it's mighty shiny; I wonder if the acrylic would stick?

[potatochief]

so i used ACE hardware gloss enamel for basecoat... should i polish with compounds and sanding first before applying KGS?

[Plumberboy]

I was able to place an order for this product despite it being back ordered on the HJL site. It might take quite awhile to get it.

[racer93]

Originally Posted by potatochief

so i used ACE hardware gloss enamel for basecoat... should i polish with compounds and sanding first before applying KGS?

Yep, you want it as perfectly smooth as you can get it. Otherwise, the chrome will look "orange peelish" like the paint did...

Paints do have a bit of a hard time sticking to the KGS'd surface. It might take a bit of doing but it can be done. (Been there, done that.)

[potatochief]

Originally Posted by racer93

Yep, you want it as perfectly smooth as you can get it. Otherwise, the chrome will look "orange peelish" like the paint did...

Paints do have a bit of a hard time sticking to the KGS'd surface. It might take a bit of doing but it can be done. (Been there, done that.)

and so i did what i did was, apply kgs THEN sand (2k grit) then apply kgs again then sand... what i discovered is that kgs helps in getting the surface smoothened out without having to apply primer since i sand until the surface is smooth... BUT since i left the previous layers of kgs, the look ended up bluish and wasn't able to achieve the chrome look I was looking for.

next steps would be remove all signs of through washing, polishing the already smooth surface then reapply the KGS. will post current pics then the after pics... hopefully this becomes a helpful tool in sanding other parts of the model

[Didymus]

Well, I finally got a supply of Kosutte Gin San.

I'm disappointed. I was really impressed by the plastic-spoon photos at the beginning of this thread, but I have not been able to get such great results.

It has a nice gloss, but I couldn't get it to produce a neutral cast. It "takes on" whatever color value is beneath it. I tried it over black (Alclad); it was way too dark. Over white or silver, it has a distinctly yellow cast. I even tried it over Spaz Stix, but turns it yellowish. I suppose it would look right over lavender or something that would offset the yellow, but this is getting ridiculous.

If someone wants to "tone" KGS, you don't need to put a color coat over it; the color under it will show up just fine.

I only got one result that I really liked. Over Tamiya Gloss Aluminum, it looks exactly like stainless steel: smooth, grain-free and the perfect shade of grey. Just the thing for SS exhaust systems.

I discovered a couple of other useful things in the process, though.

1. KGS can easily be cleaned up with soap and water.

2. Future makes an outstanding base for Spaz Stix. It's less trouble than Alclad Black Undercoat.

3. For a deep silver finish, Spaz Stix coated with Future looks great.

So I learned more about Future than about KGS.

I have virtually the entire jar of KGS left. If someone wants it at a nice discount, send me a PM.

[racer93]

Did, I'll have to show you some pics of the intake trumpets of the Matra I'm working on now. JUST like chrome. Hard to believe you didn't get it to work out. I just used the cheap-o testor's black enamel for a base and it works great.

Try SNS Hawkeye powders. They are the next best thing...

Daniel

[Didymus]

One more thing: I do like the way KGS makes PE look brighter, a lot like chrome.

My supply has been purchased, by the way. I sold it on a first-come-first-served basis. My thanks to all who asked about it.

[sam01contact]

What about decals? I don't think you can use decal softeners over it (Kosutte Gin San)

[Luis Pacheco]

Originally Posted by sam01contact

What about decals? I don't think you can use decal softeners over it (Kosutte Gin San)

Yes you can but before it you need to buff hard the Gin San.