Tamiya TS 13 Clear

[stevenoble]

Has anybody used Tamiya TS 13 Clear over the top of decals? I've seen a couple of review articles in magazines where they have and the results looked excellent.
I don't want to try it on my latest model for fear of ruining it.I just wondered what everyone elses experiences were when using this method?
Any advice would be helpful.

[mickbench]

Welcome to AF.. You will be told anyway, but if you seach for TS-13 and decals, you will find out that some say you can do it, others do not recommend it.

I've never attempted it myself. TS-13 is horrid stuff to apply, and can even ruin a paint job if applied incorrectly.

I read that some apply it over decals in "VERY" light coats to build the clear coat up, and this doesn't hurt the decals.. Whenever I apply clear to metallic paints, I also build it up using lots of mist coats, then after around 5 mists I apply a few wet coats and that is it...

[Vric]

I used it for the first time on my last project (lambo) and had no problem over decals.

I never had a problem with clear over decal anyway.
My R390 and Shelby both have Testor clear over decal.

[73superduty]

I've had good luck with TS-13 as well.
As mickbench suggested, light mist coats first then heavier coats.
A lot of it hinges on the type of decals too. But light mist coats will ease the decal in.
Chris

[hirofkd]

Never had any problem with TS-13 either, and I've been doing the same overcoat technique for more than 15 years.

The key is to build a protective layer with a mist coat of spray. This way, the solvent evaporates before it starts attacking the underlying paint or decal. Now, you might wonder how much coating is exactly "light." Well, all I can says is that it's a quick swing of spray can sideways (or from top to bottom) in less than 1 second.

Typical car body has seven faces, front, rear, right left, hood, roof and trunk. Mist-coat one face, and move on to another. By the time you finish the last face, the first face should be dry. Add another layer of mist coat on all sides in the same manner. After building up a total of 3 or 4 layers, the protective coat should be done, and you can spray a little more heavily, but always avoid thick coat.