Screaminhelo
Shade Tree Rocket Surgeon
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2013
- Messages
- 935
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I know that the vices and virtues of various paints are often debated here on the forums. At the risk of stirring dissension among the masses, I wanted to post an example of "what not to do" and how I did it.
First, the paints
The primer is cheapo that I got somewhere, the ACE paint is fluorescent enamel, Krylon is what it is (more on that later). and the Rustoleum clear is, as you can see, a lacquer.
First comes the primer. Everything got an initial shot of primer, built up with mist coats until all was covered. As the mist coats began to build up, I was careful to be sure that I was not spraying over wet paint. A final wet coat was applied when all components were dry to the touch. This was allowed to cure over night and then smoothed with 250 grit. Next was a wet coat of primer, ensuring everything was covered. This was left to cure for two days then smoothed with 250 grit again.
Next comes the color.
Both the Green and black were built up using mist coats, initially very light and getting heavier as I went. Once everything was completely covered, I put on a wet coat. I let this dry until the wet look was gone and sprayed another wet coat. The green didn't provide an even color but that will work well when I get the Green Max decals on. These were left to dry until the next day.
Now for a note on the Krylon. In my haste to get this done and post this, I was spraying under less than ideal conditions. Temp was a bit cool and the humidity was high. The result was blush. I apologize for not getting a picture of this but it is easily described. It appears as a dull white film over the surface of the paint as it dries. It is very easy to polish out with 600 grit and a quick wet sanding but what is notable about it is what it reveals about the paint. Blush is common is lacquers that are applied in cool, wet conditions. Lesson here? Treat Krylon as a lacquer.
Now for the clear.
In general, wisdom says do not apply lacquer over enamel as it will dissolve the enamel and ruin the finish right? That is only partially true. Lacquer can dissolve enamel, but it can also dissolve lacquer. Regardless of what you are spraying over, let the bottom color fully cure before spraying the lacquer, build it up with mist coats that you allow to dry to the touch, and let it dry over night before spraying a wet coat.
My results?
My painting experience with enamels and acrylics comes from 30 years of scale modeling. My experience with lacquers is from touch-up painting on private airplanes. Acrylics weren't included here because the water based acrylics commonly used in the hobby industry can be applied over or under almost anything easily available to most hobbyists.
Again, my intent is not to say one type of paint is better than another. My goal is to show that you can do it wrong (mix paint lines and mediums) and still get good results if you apply the right techniques and exercise patience.
First, the paints
The primer is cheapo that I got somewhere, the ACE paint is fluorescent enamel, Krylon is what it is (more on that later). and the Rustoleum clear is, as you can see, a lacquer.
First comes the primer. Everything got an initial shot of primer, built up with mist coats until all was covered. As the mist coats began to build up, I was careful to be sure that I was not spraying over wet paint. A final wet coat was applied when all components were dry to the touch. This was allowed to cure over night and then smoothed with 250 grit. Next was a wet coat of primer, ensuring everything was covered. This was left to cure for two days then smoothed with 250 grit again.
Next comes the color.
Both the Green and black were built up using mist coats, initially very light and getting heavier as I went. Once everything was completely covered, I put on a wet coat. I let this dry until the wet look was gone and sprayed another wet coat. The green didn't provide an even color but that will work well when I get the Green Max decals on. These were left to dry until the next day.
Now for a note on the Krylon. In my haste to get this done and post this, I was spraying under less than ideal conditions. Temp was a bit cool and the humidity was high. The result was blush. I apologize for not getting a picture of this but it is easily described. It appears as a dull white film over the surface of the paint as it dries. It is very easy to polish out with 600 grit and a quick wet sanding but what is notable about it is what it reveals about the paint. Blush is common is lacquers that are applied in cool, wet conditions. Lesson here? Treat Krylon as a lacquer.
Now for the clear.
In general, wisdom says do not apply lacquer over enamel as it will dissolve the enamel and ruin the finish right? That is only partially true. Lacquer can dissolve enamel, but it can also dissolve lacquer. Regardless of what you are spraying over, let the bottom color fully cure before spraying the lacquer, build it up with mist coats that you allow to dry to the touch, and let it dry over night before spraying a wet coat.
My results?
My painting experience with enamels and acrylics comes from 30 years of scale modeling. My experience with lacquers is from touch-up painting on private airplanes. Acrylics weren't included here because the water based acrylics commonly used in the hobby industry can be applied over or under almost anything easily available to most hobbyists.
Again, my intent is not to say one type of paint is better than another. My goal is to show that you can do it wrong (mix paint lines and mediums) and still get good results if you apply the right techniques and exercise patience.
