Using Alclad

[fseva]

I've tried spraying Alclad over several different kinds of black paint & have just settled on using Duplicolor black in a spray can. I've had a couple of funny reactions with spraying over Testors gloss black & Krylon. Mind you, I'm not spraying bumpers & the like. Mostly just small parts like mirrors, engine parts, etc. so I really don't care if it's perfect. If you're spraying small parts, just a coat of primer, a coat of Duplicolor gloss black & then a light coat of Alclad will give you fine results. The outside & inside mirrors & antennas on both of these Chryslers were done in this way.

And they both look excellent... uh, the mirrors... and the cars! I'm wondering though, if you have noticed a tendency of Alclad to lose its shine after handling? Any way to get around that problem? With me, it'd be enough handling to install the part, and in a few days, it'd look like silver paint.

[fseva]

I have owned a Badger 150 for 30 years . That's all I have ever ran through mine . Not doubting your word at all . Quite possibly , the model you are using reacts to lacquer thinner internally .

Yes, especially if it does not use one of the newer teflon needle bearings, which are impervious to just about anything you can throw at them...

[StevenGuthmiller]

And they both look excellent... uh, the mirrors... and the cars! I'm wondering though, if you have noticed a tendency of Alclad to lose its shine after handling? Any way to get around that problem? With me, it'd be enough handling to install the part, and in a few days, it'd look like silver paint.

I did notice one time when I used either the Testors or Krylon that I had some issues with it seeming to want to rub off a little. But then again, I usually use no more than a couple of coats of Alclad. So it was pretty thinly coated.

Steve

[Quick GMC]

It has been my experience that you really lose a lot of shine if you attempt to "build up a good base"... I've found that you need to know when enough is enough... and stop right then and there. If you go beyond, you tend to have the "chrome" turn into silver paint.

Depends on how you do it. I did about 8-10 super thin coats directly across the surface, not at the surface. I had the PSI turned up and the flow turned way down.

Now if you do it like you see in the videos on youtube and stuff, they are spraying a lot more at a time and less coats are required. This is just what I found works best for me. There are certainly several ways to do it.

[fseva]

Depends on how you do it. I did about 8-10 super thin coats directly across the surface, not at the surface. I had the PSI turned up and the flow turned way down.

Now if you do it like you see in the videos on youtube and stuff, they are spraying a lot more at a time and less coats are required. This is just what I found works best for me. There are certainly several ways to do it.

Well, we must be on the same wavelength then... yours look equal to mine... except perhaps the headers and the pipes... I think I would have gone for a more complete look with less black showing.

Edited April 1, 2015 by fseva

[Quick GMC]

Well, we must be on the same wavelength then... yours look equal to mine... except perhaps the headers and the pipes... I think I would have gone for a more complete look with less black showing.

It's just the lighting. It is the Stainless Steel color instead of chrome. It looks a little darker.

Here it is with better lighting.

[fseva]

It's just the lighting. It is the Stainless Steel color instead of chrome. It looks a little darker.

Here it is with better lighting.

That looks great! I tried Alclad Steel once, but it almost turned out black! Haven't used it since, but I do love their Polished Aluminum! Can't imagine what went wrong with the steel...

[Quick GMC]

I actually used lacquer clear over the black before the Alclad, it did make a difference. I think it turned out better and more durable than just over the black paint.

[Stray]

You all make sound arguments for the tried and tested methods you use. As I progress I will try different ways to find one I like also.

I have actually purchased Alclad's Aqua clear which they say is for use over the chrome. Yet to test it out though. Anyone else tried it?

[fseva]

I actually used lacquer clear over the black before the Alclad, it did make a difference. I think it turned out better and more durable than just over the black paint.

Could you actually handle the part without rubbing off the chrome?

[fseva]

I have actually purchased Alclad's Aqua clear which they say is for use over the chrome. Yet to test it out though. Anyone else tried it?

That's an acrylic, which will probably work OK as a "clear", but don't apply it too heavily - just give it a few misting coats and leave it alone... preferably overnight. BTW, I've used it but never on Alclad, since everything I've ever tried just cut the shine of the chrome too much. If I could get past Alclad's history of wearing off during handling, I might try this.

[Quick GMC]

Could you actually handle the part without rubbing off the chrome?

Without it rubbing off yes, but I think the oils in your skin is the biggest issue. I never handle them without latex gloves

[fseva]

Without it rubbing off yes, but I think the oils in your skin is the biggest issue. I never handle them without latex gloves

Good idea - I'll try that!