Paint and clear

[Wildrice]

Just thought I would see what type of paint and clear everyone uses. I am getting an airbrush for Christmas and this will give me an idea of what I need.

[Guest zebm1]

painting is a personal art form Bobby, on a canvas with a brush I can do Impressionist originals, .......with an airbrush I can make Flats look real......but Kandys and Pearls......30 plus years and I'm still working on tha gloss......

[MrObsessive]

Bobby, for my car bodies, I'll use Automotive paints as much as possible. Probably since I build mostly replica stock, this is the only type of paints to use to get the exact color. The hobby paints IMO are still very limited.

I also find them to be more durable to rubbing out when it comes time to wet sand.

If the color is solid (non metallic) I simply wet sand with the polishing cloths and then rub out with Meguiar's Car Cleaner Wax. If it's a metallic, then I rub very lightly with 3600-4000 grit polishing cloth to get the dusties out and then clear with Tamiya Clear X-22.

I use this type of clear as it's a very mild clear and can be used over anything. The only caveat is that it can take a looooooong time to dry unless you use a dehydrator.

For interiors, I'll use the water based acrylics or hobby enamels where I can, otherwise it's a variation of the automotive stuff depending on the color I'm doing.