Clear Coat directly on my model

 Shouldn't be any problem. After application of decals clear coat again for protection. Make sure everything is completely dry between steps.

Hi there! I've made a few cars over the years but I've never tried it without any paint. However, I know a couple of guys who have, and very successfully. IIRC, they said they polished the body a few times to remove any imperfections and waxed it like a real car. 

Post your question in the "Painting" section. I'm sure there will be quite a few members there who will answer your question better than me.

Good luck.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

That's what I did with this Tamiya Porsche Jim

One of the guys that does it that way only builds "Old" cars so there are no decals to worry about. He's taken first place at a couple of contests I attended. The other builds all types of cars and other classes of builds and I believe he uses that process in some of them too. They tried to have me do one but it's just too much work for these old hands. 

When I hit reply, your pic of the porsche blew up to full screen. Man, that paint looks like about a couple of inches of glass on top of the paint. Fantastic finish!  The rest of the build looks just as good. I've got a couple of those trailers laying around on the shelves. 

Jim 

Stay Safe.

ya, the trailer is fun for posing pictures 

fox

When I hit reply, your pic of the porsche blew up to full screen. Man, that paint looks like about a couple of inches of glass on top of the paint. Fantastic finish!  The rest of the build looks just as good. I've got a couple of those trailers laying around on the shelves. 

Jim 

Stay Safe.

 

In my experience primer covers up scratches,excess glue,runs and the like,with no paint or primer,your build will need to be perfect,all flaws will be seen.Guys say they do it,would love to see finished product.

Hi! 

     When the body has a color I like that is molded in I do this. I Polish the daylights out or it . Then put on any decals. Then I use a mix of Paint that is basically a frost coat. Evenly applied. Let set for at least two days and then polish to a high sheen. Has worked since I learned how to use airbrushes Fifty Five years ago.