Finishing with clear

[ESCORTSPORT]

Hi All,

I have a question regarding finishing with clear cote.

After you have done all the correct steps painting your model with your chosen base coat and got an acceptable finish, what is the correct procedure for laying down the clear?
Do you mist on 2-3 coats, sand and then 2 wet coats?
Also, do you lightly san the final coat, as this has always dulled the clear in my experience. And is there any specicific compund to use on clear as most I have seen caution against using on clears?

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, but I haven't seen a really clear tutorial on the correct way to get a great clear caot.

Regards,

Matt

[ep-hatcher-510]

fist mist on a few coats then do some wet coats (i do like 3 wet coats), after that i polish up the body with - rubbing compound then polishing compound that u get in general automotive stores. or Stratch X can work also. then if you want u can use wax after. if this is your first time be sure to lay down maybe like 2 extra coats of clear in so you dont rub through the clear into the paint.

i have never sanded my clear coat after, maybe you can try wet sanding it but it might still turn dull. but i have been using the method above for a long time and it gives great results.

[RallyRaider]

Yeah, mist a couple of coats (particularly if decals are involved and the clear is an aggressive lacquer like Tamiya TS-13) followed by heavier. I always sand between the heavier coasts to smooth out any orange peel. If you don't have any orange peel then stop - you're done.

Tamiya make a set of three different polishing compounds that will get you started. If you want to get more involved then you can look into micromesh polishing pads and other types of polishing or waxing systems.

Just give it a go and see what works for you, cause different things tend to work for different people.

[speedphreak]

Sorry to hijack...but you can use ts-13 over decals? What would be the proper procedure of doing this?

[joelwideqvist]

Like Phil said, do it slowly. First couple of coats just MIST it and let cure. this way you don't make the decal soak in the aggressive clear coat.
/Joel

[freakray]

Originally Posted by speedphreak

Sorry to hijack...but you can use ts-13 over decals? What would be the proper procedure of doing this?

See this thread:

Tamiya TS-13 Clear

[ESCORTSPORT]

Thanks for the info guy's.

Does this hold true for TS65 Pearl Clear too?

Regards,

Matt

[freakray]

If you're looking to polish the clear, you'll need to lay down some regular gloss clear over the pearl clear.

[Enzoenvy1]

Ok, after I read all of the links to the TS-13 issues I have found this:

1. Lay down your first coat of clear like ten minutes after your last base color.
2. Wait a month to do the clear?!

This confuses me because I want to do decals. So, basically I have to wait a month after I apply three small decals?!

This sucks if it is true!

Why does there have to be thinner in the TS-13 anyway?

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by Enzoenvy1

Why does there have to be thinner in the TS-13 anyway?

erm...if there wasn't thinner... then they'd sell in in cubes..
But it's true, that's why I've been trying to find an alternative to TS-13.
I'm more or less switching to automotive paints exclusively lately. More choice less mess.

[bhop73]

TS-13 will kill your decals. At least it did with mine. I have since switched to Gunze Mr. Topcoat, which is acrylic based and doesn't harm decals, although, I just picked up some Finisher's auto clear which i'm going to use on my F1 Ferrari. Supposedly it's decal safe.. guess i'll find out.

[RallyRaider]

Originally Posted by Enzoenvy1

So, basically I have to wait a month after I apply three small decals?!

This sucks if it is true!

One month is overkill, one of those ass covering clauses that are so prevalent in society today. I usually wait only a couple of days before clearing my decals. You have to be smart about it though, make sure your decals and paint are completely and utterly bone dry. If the weather is cold and damp you'll need to wait longer and always remember - MIST COATS.

Originally Posted by Enzoenvy1

Why does there have to be thinner in the TS-13 anyway?

All paints need a thinner or reducer of some sort. I also suspect Tamiya TS sprays have a fair bit of retarder in them to slow down the drying time.

[Enzoenvy1]

[quote=RallyRaider


All paints need a thinner or reducer of some sort. I also suspect Tamiya TS sprays have a fair bit of retarder in them to slow down the drying time.[/QUOTE]

I kind of sounded ignorant there. I know why there is a thinner. I think what my tired brain meant was why do THEY use that for their clear? Their other ts paints are not attacking of other paints unless the lacquer and acrylic are used together.

I still don't think I wrote what I meant, nevermind.

[rod_k2]

I'm about to test the Mr. Color Super Clear on my Golf. Maybe I can get a little bit more shine...
But anyways,Sorry for hijack,but,do we apply the metallic transfers and clear coat,or we apply the clear and then the transfers??
Thanks!

[cyberkid]

Originally Posted by rod_k2

I'm about to test the Mr. Color Super Clear on my Golf. Maybe I can get a little bit more shine...
But anyways,Sorry for hijack,but,do we apply the metallic transfers and clear coat,or we apply the clear and then the transfers??
Thanks!

I personally apply the clear coat before applying the metal transfers, I think the clear coat after kind of slopes up the the edges of the metal transfers and looks weird.