Painted & polished but needs a clearcoat

[Mr Stock]

Hi guys 

This is ptobably such a simple question but I'm having a "moment" I think lol, I have painted the body on my VW Golf model I'm doing, it was painted using acrylic car rattle can paint, I used Novus to smooth it out once cured and then applied my usual car wax but I just can't get a good shine, so I'd like to do a clear coat. 

My question is now I've used the Novus  and the wax what do I need to use to clean that off the model before I use a spray clear lacquer? . I'm thinking I can't just spray over it as the lacquer will react with the wax etc.

thanks in advance for your answers.

Gary 

[dublin boy]

I'm assuming you're using Halfords or Holts rattle cans or similar? You'll need to get all the wax off it before you clear it.

Now, I never had to do it but hot water and Fairy liquid and an old toothbrush should shift it I'd imagine.

I'd spoon test everything you've already done, try to get it off and see how you get on.

Maybe Geoff knows, if he's looking in.

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr Stock]

Thanks Shay, Yes Im using the Holts rattle cans its a solid white colour and I just cant get it to shine, I was going to try fairy liquid and hot water, may be worth a try like you said ...spoon test first I think.

 

[Snake45]

I doubt you'll be able to get the wax off of it well enough for new paint (clearcoat) to stick. You might try washing/rubbing it with something like rubbing alcohol or naphtha, BUT you run the risk that those chemicals will also take off the paint you have on it. You might want to be thinking in terms of stripping the model back to bare plastic and starting over.

[Ace-Garageguy]

I would suggest you try 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol is also available over here commercially in a 91% concentration, which is probably too harsh...might remove your paint.

70% iso makes an outstanding wax and grease remover for fully cured painted surfaces. I began using it on models after it saved my bacon on a full-scale aircraft paint job that was fish-eyeing even after being swabbed down with an industrial wax/grease remover made for the application.

Just be sure to test it on an inconspicuous part of the model, so in case there IS an adverse reaction with your paint, it won't be visible.

[dublin boy]

Rubbing alcohol is called Surgical Spirit over here Gary, I think you can buy it in a chemist/pharmacy shop, I forgot to ask the last time I was in, I think it's 70% alcohol.

[Mr Stock]

Snake, Bill and Shay thanks for you all for your advice, I do have some 90% iso here not brave enough to try that, but Shay the Surgical spirit is definitely worth a try.

If all else fails I may have to strip it

[GeeBee]

Go to your local motor body shop supplies, or a crash repair bodyshop and get yourself some "Panel Wipe" it's used in the trade to do exactly what you need to do, they use it to wipe down the vehicle before it gets painted, I use it all the time before doing any top coat after the primer coat, it won't hurt the paint you already have on there,

[Mr Stock]

Go to your local motor body shop supplies, or a crash repair bodyshop and get yourself some "Panel Wipe" it's used in the trade to do exactly what you need to do, they use it to wipe down the vehicle before it gets painted, I use it all the time before doing any top coat after the primer coat, it won't hurt the paint you already have on there,

Geoff thaks for that mate, I work in a motor factors and we sell panel wipe so I'm sorted !, to be honest I thought that may be a little harsh on the plastic which is why I didn't think of it before, thanks for all the helpful  advice lads