berr13 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Can you guys give me some recommendations for a spray enamel clear coat? I've been using Testors, but I'm having a little trouble finding it anymore. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 I'm interested in this, too. Testor Wet Look and Krylon Crystal Clear are fine products, but they're removed by isopropyl alcohol, which I use a lot of in body cleanup. I'm looking for a clear that will stand up to alcohol, the way Testor Clear Top Coat enamel does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Can-Con Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) You guys really want an enamel clearcoat? In my experience, any enamel clear will yellow like crazy after a couple years. Edited March 14, 2015 by Can-Con Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berr13 Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 Well, yeah, since I use enamels a lot. The only yellowing I've noticed is on an MPC '74 Barracuda that I painted white and clear coated back sometime in the '80s... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Toy guys really want an enamel clearcoat? In my experience, any enamel clear will yellow like crazy after a couple years. I've had that happen but it's only noticeable on one model I painted a very light metallic blue. The yellowing isn't noticeable on the ones I've done in red, maroon, medium or dark blue, medium or dark green, black, etc. I wouldn't even THINK of putting the stuff over white. And what do you mean by "Toy guys"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Can-Con Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 (edited) And what do you mean by "Toy guys"? LOL,, I ment "You guys". My keyboard just got moved over one key to the left. It happens to me sometimes and I don't notice. I just corrected it. Edited March 14, 2015 by Can-Con Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 That was my experience also. Any light colored color coat will yellow. Sometimes very quickly. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berr13 Posted March 14, 2015 Author Share Posted March 14, 2015 I was young and naive, what can I say? One of these days I'll dip it and paint it again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelo7 Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 You guys really want an enamel clearcoat? In my experience, any enamel clear will yellow like crazy after a couple years. Couple of years? Mine yellowed instantly. At least don't use it on light colors, specially white. I used the Testors High Gloss clear enamel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelo7 Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 I was young and naive, what can I say? One of these days I'll dip it and paint it again... James, you just gave me an idea. I might do just that too. Never thought of that before. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berr13 Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Angel--since mine is an old MPC from the last century, I imagine it'll pry apart pretty easy. Meanwhile, anybody got any ideas on clear coats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbox55 Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 If you're airbrushing it, check out Duplicolor Paint Shop clear. I've tested it on Testors enamels (both spray and bottle) as well as Tamiya acrylic. Even though it is a lacquer, it topcoats over those very well, no adverse reactions. I can't speak for other locations, but my local Meijer store has it on clearance, 50% off (about $12.50 a quart). Duplicolor also has an acrylic enamel spray that's very nice, I haven't tested it over Testors enamel yet, but I think it'll work fine as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelo7 Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Yes, I use Testors Clear Gloss lacquer (Not "High Gloss"). It's not as shiny as the "High" enamel but it works fine and no yellowing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Anderson Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Given that enamel paints are essentially clear varnish carriers with pigments added, any clear enamel will have at least some yellow tone to it, as that's the color of all varnishes, at least to some degree. In addition, many varnishes will darken in their yellow "cast" over time, with exposure to both light and air. Clear lacquers, on the other hand, can be made water-clear, and will stay that way over time. Art Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Johnston Posted March 15, 2015 Share Posted March 15, 2015 Future works well but will yellow over time. I always liked the Wal-Mart brand Color Place clear before I started using lacquers. Also Krylon makes a good clear product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtx6970 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 (edited) I used Testors enamel clear on a build years ago . ( blue and white car.) And beside a recent build all white car its definitly yellowed big time. I'll not use it again. The past few years I have been using Upol urethane clear ( its tall rattle can ) straight out of the can ,,,I'm not an airbrush user unless I absolutly have to So far I've used it on testors enamels and laquers, Duplicolor, and cheap hardware store paints with good results. All straight out of a rattle can. This a black laquer ( not sure the brand ) with Upol clear,,and a very light polishing. Edited March 19, 2015 by gtx6970 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Future works well but will yellow over time. I've used it on model airplanes for over 30 years. Never had it yellow (others have, though), but I consider it too fragile for model car use. It can be damaged or removed by Windex, ferpissake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berr13 Posted March 16, 2015 Author Share Posted March 16, 2015 Bill: where do you find Upol? I've never heard of it before, but I'm willing to give it a try, as well as the Krylon and Walmart spray. Thanks everyone, this is what I'm looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevenGuthmiller Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 Bill: where do you find Upol? I've never heard of it before, but I'm willing to give it a try, as well as the Krylon and Walmart spray. Thanks everyone, this is what I'm looking for. I've seen it on Amazon. I've also heard a professional painter on this forum say it's some very nasty stuff!! That's all I needed to hear. I was considering trying it also, but shyed away. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fseva Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 I was young and naive, what can I say? One of these days I'll dip it and paint it again... What would you dip it in to remove the unwanted paint? I haven't had much success with the stuff available in the house... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fseva Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 (edited) Bill: where do you find Upol? I've never heard of it before, but I'm willing to give it a try, as well as the Krylon and Walmart spray. Thanks everyone, this is what I'm looking for. Stevenson's on eBay has the 16oz spray can for $22.95! Edited March 18, 2015 by fseva Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 So we're on page 2 now and still don't have an answer to the original question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JollySipper Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 You can also get Rustoleum clear from WalMart.......... it's an enamel, I used it on the last build that I posted here, an '09 Challenger....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berr13 Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 (edited) What would you dip it in to remove the unwanted paint? I haven't had much success with the stuff available in the house... I've had good luck with Bleche White--it used to be branded as Westley's, but it has another brand name now, but still "Bleche White". If you'll do a search with the question, you'll find many options for stripping paint. Patience, Snake, patience. We've gotten a couple of good ideas already, and I'm sure we'll get more. Edited March 19, 2015 by berr13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoneWolf15 Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 You can order Testors Clear Top Coat from Model Empire .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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