Urethane clear drying time?

[patoffspyder]

Hi guys!

I apply some Urethane clear to my dodge viper yesterday and this stuff is fantastic. There is so much gloss, without any effort. I applied the clear 16 hours ago and it's not dry, when I touch a part that I paint for testing purpose, it's still sticky. So, how much time should I wait before completing my model? And yes, I use the correct ratio of hardener/clear/thinner.

During the time that the model is drying, what do you do to prevent dust from going on the model? Personnaly, when I paint the main body, I put it on a empty spray can and there is no dust because I was using Lacquer clear that dry very fast. I guess I will have to find a big plastic box to put my cleared parts in.

Thanks

[mike@af]

Did you mix the catalyst correctly? How old was the catalyst?

[Cold_Fire]

It depends on your clear and your activator, it could be minutes or hours, usually less than 14 or 16.

I would say that your activator is not the correct one for your clear, you haven't mixed it in the correct ratio or it was in bad condition (because it was very old or it has been opened many times).

Regards

[patoffspyder]

Everything was unused, I bought it one week ago.

I also mix it correctly, 4 parts of clear, 1 part of hardener, 1 part of thinner. I got PPG Urethane Thinner, PPG Urethane clear and PPG Hardener, everything is suppose to fit together..

Normally, how long is the drying time for you?

[Cold_Fire]

I haven't used PPG products so I cannot help you with that. Have you visited PPG website? Dupont has all technical information about all their products in their website, perhaps PPG do so.

I use Dupont 3200s clear with XK205 activator and it's touch dry in around 6 hours.

[patoffspyder]

I searched on google and here is what I found, not on PPG website.

"For clear coat, I use PPG DCU2010 Urethane clear coat. This is a 3-part system (clear, hardener, reducer) that I mix at 2.5/1/1 (they recommend 4/1/1, but I've found that my ratio works better for airbrushing on small models)."

:-(
So I guess there is not enough hardener. So do you think this paint job is ruined or it will only be long before it will be completly dry? Maybe heat will make it dry faster?

Thanks!

[patoffspyder]

I just cleared my Scion bB with the new ratio and it's dry now, 2-3hours after I apply it.

My viper is still not dry, but it's more dry than it was yesterday, so maybe it will be completly dry in a couple of days. Do you think so?

Maybe I should apply another coat of clear, so the new coat will try faster?

Thanks for your help.

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by patoffspyder

Maybe I should apply another coat of clear, so the new coat will try faster?

No that will just cause more problems with glazing, crinkling, bubbles and fisheyes. The clear needs to be completely dry before another coat.

[white97ex]

are you guys using PPG branded or Omni? I would suggest giving the Omni a go. I get it at the same place I get my PPG paint. There is no reducer or thinner needed. It mixes and sprays perfectly though my single action brush at about 40psi

[patoffspyder]

I have the PPG one. I ask the guy at the paint shop for some Urethane clear and he gives me this.

Is the Omni one is less expensive?

[f1speeds]

I use the same products from PPG with no problem..
how much you pay for all of this? I spend about $85
It dries quick 3-4 hrs, but I usually wait 24 hrs to sand with fine grit or polish it..
in 48 hrs it's supposed to be bone dry..
I supposed you know this stuff is really dangerous right.
you need to wear prof. mask and well ventilated area.
I even have to sign waiver when the guy sold me the paint.heheh

[patoffspyder]

Yeah, don't worry, I have a mask :-)

Yeah, this stuff is expensive, it cost me something like 100$ Can, but I will be able to clear lots of cars with it.

The problem I add was my ratio, I used 4/1/1 like it says on the box, but when I used a ratio of 2.5/1/1, everything is perfect, it's dry under a couple of hours.

[f1speeds]

I actually use
41 ratio...using droppers to do this

Maybe I should try to use your ratio 2.51 too, to safe the paint

[warwick]

Hi Guys

This is my first time on so bare with me. I am a two Pac spray painter by trade, I use 2 K Urethane clear on all of my models. Drying time depends on the hardener, i.e D Bear paints have 2 styles. You have fast dry and normal. First dry dries in 45 minutes and normal dries in 6 hours. Although the normal will tac off and you can slightly touch within an hour or so, as long as you don't paint in temperatures under 18 degrees. I think that it has been mixed incorrectly, or the hardener has reacted to the base coat, which can happen. To date I have not had any trouble with painting 2K over decals. Also check with the paint supplier on the mixing ratio.

I hope this helps

Cheers

Warwick

[white97ex]

When I picked up the OMNI stuff. I bought the clear, hardener, reducer, and 3 ounces of custom mix for around $40 US