2K clearcoats

[AceCobra1]

Hi,

I was just wondering, how many layer of wet coats do u guys normally apply to the model? Coz I applied the 2 layers and I noticed that I can't seem to get the finish as smooth as some of the models I see here... mind you, this clear is a hell of a lot better than the finishers I have... Is the 2K clearcoats what they actually use in the real cars?

[stevenoble]

I usually apply 1 light tack coat, allow 5-10 minutes drying, then a full wet coat but with a little extra thinner added to the mix, 5-10 minutes of drying then another full wet coat, again with a little more thinner added to the mix.I wait for 10 minutes have a look at the finish and if I'm satisfied I leave it at that to fully harden.Sometimes I may apply a third wet coat but only if I'm not satisfied with the finish I had after the second wet coat.When I mention adding a little thinner to the mix it's usually no more than a few drops from an eye dropper.Don't over thin too much or you may get runs.
It's pretty forgiving stuff though usually.

Normally after 2 wet coats it looks like this



I have heard some people say the 2K looks too thick and glass like and looks unrealistic, but if you keep the coats down it looks pretty good I think and is nice and tough as well.

[AceCobra1]

Thanks for the reply... just wondering, what would u do if u get dust in between the layers say when ur painting white? coz there is a black dot, it would look pretty obvious... Also, how long would u wait b4 u polish? Would u recommend me accelrate the curing of the paint by putting it into something like mr. dry booth? Or would it cause the layer of clear to crack?

[stevenoble]

Originally Posted by AceCobra1

Thanks for the reply... just wondering, what would u do if u get dust in between the layers say when ur painting white? coz there is a black dot, it would look pretty obvious... Also, how long would u wait b4 u polish? Would u recommend me accelrate the curing of the paint by putting it into something like mr. dry booth? Or would it cause the layer of clear to crack?

The dust between the layers is a tricky one with white, because as you say a black dot does look pretty obvious.I have had this problem once before but lucky for me the area was hidden by a decal.The obvious solution would be to wait for the 2K to dry and remove the offending dot by very fine sanding, then start the clear process again.Sometimes though I have had success lifting the dot out with a very fine needle point and applying more clear to level it back out, but this can be troublesome and not without risk.The beauty of 2k though for me is that it often hardens and the imperfections seem to rise to the top so they are easier to sand away in the polishing stages.As long as the dot is NOT in the colour layer and you have enough clear on, you know you can safely polish it out later.Sure the clear will be a bit thinner in that spot but no one will know, only you.
As for the Mr Dry Booth, this is what I use as well and I've never had it crack or craze.I usually pre heat the booth for between 10-20 mins and after the last coat is on I place the parts inside and bake them for about 40-50 mins.Bearing in mind the dry booth only runs at about 40-45 degrees I give them longer than the 30 mins recommended by the manufacturer of the 2K because this is at 60 degrees temp.Air drying with no dry booth is usually between 12-24 hrs depending on the outside temperature.
I normally polish after 24 hrs.It's amazing how the dry booth's heat speeds up the drying times.

[cyberkid]

I'm not quite sure how much the dehydrator will speed up 2k clear but I keep my dehydrator (Mr. Dry Booth) set on continuous. I've never had any cracking or any other side effects due to the dehydrator.

Steve

[Tervo]

Originally Posted by cyberkid

I'm not quite sure how much the dehydrator will speed up 2k clear but I keep my dehydrator (Mr. Dry Booth) set on continuous. I've never had any cracking or any other side effects due to the dehydrator.

Steve

Mipa (the brand of 2K clear I use, says that the coat will reach full hardness at room temperature in 24 hours and heated to 60 degrees Celsius in two hours. So It seems that a dehydrator will speed up the curing time remarkably.