Clear Coat

[1hobby1]

Hey guys - been a while since I’ve been here but I just started the Tamiya Toyota Supra GT and it is molded in white. I want to build the car as it is on the box and have all the race decals on it. The questions is, can I apply the decals on the box plastic and apply a clear coat without painting the body? Has anyone had success with clear coating the plastic out of the box? 

[StevenGuthmiller]

You don't even have to clear coat the body.

You can polish it just as you would paint.

 

But if you prefer to clear coat, one the Testors clear lacquers will work just fine.

 

 

Steve

[1hobby1]

4 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

You don't even have to clear coat the body.

You can polish it just as you would paint.

 

But if you prefer to clear coat, one the Testors clear lacquers will work just fine.

 

 

Steve

Got it - thanks! Figured I would clear coat it to seal in the decals. 

[Dave G.]

To me plastic will always look like plastic, clear coat or not. To each his own but I'd prime and paint personally. Plastic doesn't reflect light the same as paint, it has a degree of translucent effect to it, absorbing some light which changes what could be a more realistic look. That would bother me but it may not bother you.

[1hobby1]

30 minutes ago, Dave G. said:

To me plastic will always look like plastic, clear coat or not. To each his own but I'd prime and paint personally. Plastic doesn't reflect light the same as paint, it has a degree of translucent effect to it, absorbing some light which changes what could be a more realistic look. That would bother me but it may not bother you.

I see where you are coming from but with so many decals on the body, I was figuring it might work. I definitely see your point. I wonder if anyone has done this on this kit. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

From looking at the photos that you have posted, this body appears to be quite opaque.

Often white plastic can have a transparency to it that I'm not really seeing here.

I say go for it.

 

 

Steve

[1hobby1]

5 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

From looking at the photos that you have posted, this body appears to be quite opaque.

Often white plastic can have a transparency to it that I'm not really seeing here.

I say go for it.

 

 

Steve

mold lines are virtually non existent as well...as and flashing is so minimal that the decals will completely cover it in the areas it has it. I think I might try it unless someone has epically failed at this! Haha

[StevenGuthmiller]

38 minutes ago, 1hobby1 said:

mold lines are virtually non existent as well...as and flashing is so minimal that the decals will completely cover it in the areas it has it. I think I might try it unless someone has epically failed at this! Haha

You can always sand off the mold lines and remove the flash and polish those areas with fine polishing pads before clear coating as well.

Stay away from any liquid polishes as they may interfere with the clear coats.

 

I removed mold lines and polished out the bare plastic on this Johan 1961 Plymouth Fury without any clear coat whatsoever.

What you see is just bare polished plastic.

 

 

Steve

 

 

 

[1hobby1]

3 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

You can always sand off the mold lines and remove the flash and polish those areas with fine polishing pads before clear coating as well.

Stay away from any liquid polishes as they may interfere with the clear coats.

 

I removed mold lines and polished out the bare plastic on this Johan 1961 Plymouth Fury without any clear coat whatsoever.

What you see is just bare polished plastic.

 

 

Steve

 

 

[1hobby1]

3 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

You can always sand off the mold lines and remove the flash and polish those areas with fine polishing pads before clear coating as well.

Stay away from any liquid polishes as they may interfere with the clear coats.

 

I removed mold lines and polished out the bare plastic on this Johan 1961 Plymouth Fury without any clear coat whatsoever.

What you see is just bare polished plastic.

 

 

Steve

 

 

 

Looks awesome!