Clearcoat trouble

[geofroley]

I was painting my Mini Cooper model with Cobra Colors Rossa Corsa and it turned out really really nice. But when I put the clear coat on, the paint became very dull. It was also very hard to get it thinned. The clear I was using was PPG Automotive Clear.

[freakray]

Were you spraying in a high humdity condition or very cold condition? (why do I feel like I've asked this a thousand times )

Whichever it is, some rubbing compound when the paint is completely dry should bring it back to a high gloss, after waxing

[geofroley]

Yeah, it was pretty cold. Thanks for clearing it up freakray, but now I have to wait a week for the polishing. Could I just put wax on? It's for my mom and she desperately wants it done and doesn't care about orange peel.

[myunghoon]

hahaha, awesome, your mom likes models? or just the mini?

[freakray]

Rather polish it and know it's done right, waxing over it may or may not work.
Even a light polishing will make the world of difference.

[geofroley]

Originally Posted by myunghoon

hahaha, awesome, your mom likes models? or just the mini?

Just the mini. Although it would be pretty damn cool to have a modelling mom

[nis.k.a.]

Patience.

[primera man]

Originally Posted by geofroley

I was painting my Mini Cooper model with Cobra Colors Rossa Corsa and it turned out really really nice.r.

Why bother to clearcoat it then??

I have never been a fan of clearcoating models. I have yet to read a post that will change my mind!! ...hear to many horror stories.

Spend the extra time getting a really good paint finish, use some compound later on and then finish with wax

[RallyRaider]

Correct me if I'm wrong but Cobra Colors use the automotive base coat system where the colour coat is matt and requires a clearcoat to bring out the gloss. Maybe Cobra Colors are simply automotove paints repackaged?

Otherwise for solid gloss colours I agree with PMan. However other finishes like pearl/metallics or if decals are involved often require clearcoats.

[freakmech]

Yeah, ive been modelling for a long while and I agree with PMan and Raider on two points. One, if its a basic solid color, dont bother clear coating. Put an extra coat of the color on instead and then lightly buff with compound....then wax, it will have depth and luster all the same.. Oh and dont buff for at least a week or you f-it some how... i have for years. Two, if its a pearl, metallic, or multi-color paint sceme... you need to use clear because you cant sand or buff to fix problems. as far as the original problem... let the paint cure for a week. buff it with compound and see. should look better but let the paint dry first! at least one week. if its cold the paint takes longer to release all the oxygen and chemicals so it looks hazy.