Enamel paint curing time and clearcoat application

[kmc3420]

I am currently working on a 69 Camaro Z/28 RS by Revell. I have painted this car enamel being this is my first model in a long time, I will be using Lacquer paint moving forward as the enamel is heavier and covers too much of the detail. I applied DupliColor grey primer, 3 mist coats of color, and 3 wetcoats as I had runs I had to sand out after the 2nd wetcoat. The enamel is so heavy. I am considering investing in an airbrush, but will research brands later on. For my current project, I have a few questions.

1. How long should I wait to apply the clear coat? Today is the 2nd day after the last wetcoat, I have read that I need to wait until the paint no longer smells and at a minimum two weeks.

2. When should i apply the decals? Should I lay down one coat of clear and then do decals, just so as long as a coat of clear covers the decals?

3. Should I sand the color coat and then clear and sand/polish the clear coat, or only sand/polish the clear coat?

Below is the car I referencing. Thanks for any help!

[JollySipper]

Hey, Friend........ That's a nice blue and a really nice paint job! It looks metallic, which means you can't sand/polish it. You can apply the decals now, clear coat, then do whatever polishing you wish to do...... The smell test is a good indicator as to when the paint is fully cured.

Again, that's real pretty,  man.............

[kmc3420]

Hey, Friend........ That's a nice blue and a really nice paint job! It looks metallic, which means you can't sand/polish it. You can apply the decals now, clear coat, then do whatever polishing you wish to do...... The smell test is a good indicator as to when the paint is fully cured.

Again, that's real pretty,  man.............

Thanks TJ, I really appreciate that. So do I need to wait a length of time before applying the clear coat? Or will it be fine to coat now as it will be an enamel clear over an enamel base?

[JollySipper]

Since you have to wait a day or two for the decals to dry, the color coat should be fine to clear over.........

[kmc3420]

Since you have to wait a day or two for the decals to dry, the color coat should be fine to clear over.........

Thanks again. I am waiting on the Micro Sol/Set to arrive to apply the decals. I purchased the below.

Edited October 6, 2017 by kmc3420