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Clear coat frustrations

I try to avoid clearcoating unless a model actually requires it (eg. showcar) or I'm trying to improve a less than perfect polishing (looks good but....)

My clear of choice is Tamiya acyrlic clear. It doesn't yellow and polishes nicely. My problem is that I can never get the stuff to airbrush correctly unless (weird exception) the shape is highly curved (eg. Paddy Wagon fenders, Harley fuel tanks etc).

Here's the problem that hopefully someone can explain:

When airbrushing the clear it rarely flows like normal paints. It mists fine but when you go for the wetter coats it tends to slightly bead up and eventually create a less than level coat. The beading isn't much but it's enough to be a pain that demand a thourough polish..

What could I be doing wrong?

Paasche VL Regular pressure settings (approx 14psi) Thinned with my usual homebrew thinner of 50:50 IPA and H2O.

The clear is usually going over Testors Enamels but that's not always the case. Same results though.

Am I over thinning, need a flow agent, should try a different technique?

Reply to
The Raven
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Try windex as a thinner. It is the best flow enhancer I have ever seen. Mix about 1/3 windex to 2/3 clear coat. You should also give Future floor polish a try.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

I use my own thinner, as previously mentioned, and have had similar problems using the correct Tamiya thinner. As for Future, there is no true equivalent locally. All the "similar but not Future" stuff is good but nowhere near suitable for an automotive gloss coat.

Thanks anyway, one day I may try the Windex.

Oh, I cleared another car today. Increased the pressure as someone suggested and things were much better but still not as it should be.

Reply to
The Raven

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