Clear Coating Question

[Chevy II]

Just painted the 50 Ford F1 with a Model Masters Acrylic paint and planning to clear it using the Testors Extreme Lacquer Wet Look Clear. Question is how long should I wait to shoot the clear on?

On a side note, I didn't look at the Model Masters paint before I thinned it with Lacquer thinner. Painted it just like a do with my enamel paints. It seems to have laid down OK, then I read on the bottle Water Wash-up. Thinking I should have thinned it with washer fluid or alcohol. Any thoughts on any problems I might end up with?

Thanks for the help.

 

 

 

 

[Dave G.]

If you were going to have trouble with the lacquer thinner mix it would have occurred most likely right in the mixing cup. Some acrylics accept lacquer thinner some don't but you will get anything from glop to separation to grit or strings usually within minutes if not sooner. Now I never tried MM Acryl with LT personally, I always have used either my home brew thinner or the brand name for the paint with no problems. Actually my home brew works a bit better than their own did. My home brew is 60% water and 40% 91 IPA with retarder and flow aid added. It works in most but not all acrylics. And it sprays great with MM Acryl. But hey if LT worked so be it !

The biggest issue with MM Acryl that has bit many here is to not use a good primer first. It's a nice hard paint on primer but practically falls off of bare plastic.

[vintagerpm]

I've heard of people thinning Tamiya acrylic with lacquer but not MM acrylic. (Tamiya acrylics are apparently different from other acrylics.) Normally, I would say do not shoot lacquer gloss over aqueus acrylic at all - it will eat right through it. But, since you used lacquer thinner, maybe MM is tougher stuff. You'll need to experiment. I would dust on the first couple of coats before putting on a wet coat, though.

Edited April 22, 2023 by vintagerpm
correct typo

[ctruss53]

You would have had paint problems right away if the lacquer thinner didn't agree with the paint.  So you are probably ok.

I usually let the color coat dry 24 hours or so. Overnight or about 12 hours is probably ok as well.

When spraying a lacquer clear on acrylic paints, start slow. The first 2 coats should be VERY light dust coats. Wait about 5-7 minutes between those two coats.  After the second light coat, wait another 7 minutes or so, then you can apply a couple heavier coats to get that clearcoat to lay down smoother. Wait 7-10 minutes between those wetter coats.

Then let that sit for at least 48 hours before you start buffing.  I prefer to wait a week or more, but buffing as soon as 48 hours should be ok. The longer you let it cure, the harder it gets. And the harder it gets the better it will polish out.

Edited April 19, 2023 by ctruss53