Help - Clear Coat Issue?

Those yachts looked like hell in service anyways. Good news.

Gentlemen,

I want to thank all of you for your input. It was all helpful and I think I’ve figured out what went wring and it’s a bit of everything you’ve pointed out and recommended.

First off, I used Testor’s Clear Gloss Acryl. I thinned it with Testor’s recommended thinner. In fact I added more than the recommeded “slightly” thinned.

The issues started with too much psi, 20 vs. 15. Next and the main culprit is that I had the airbrush too far away from the model and the valve was wide open to get max coverage. Being in the desert, humidity is not really a problem except during monsoon season, but the lack of humidity dries paint fairly quickly and it was really dry that day.

So, I’ve starting gently rubbing down the clear coat with 91% alcohol to try and get some of the orange peel off and I purchased a bottle of the new Future and will lay on thin coats and attempt to level off the finish without losing the details... hopefully.

Again, thank you all for your help and input, it was and I see greatly appreciated.

Steve

Docidle;

 Ouch! I think your clear-coat may have been to thick for the pressure you sprayed at. I use Boyds clear mostly and I cut it fifty-fifty. For Semi-Gloss or Flat I cut it seventy five thinner, twenty five percent clear. Humidity, Will effect your finish too, If the pressure is to low. 

What did you thin it with?  I usually use 15, but have used 20 at times with no problem.

Testors has made clearcoats in both enamel and lacquer.  You may have used the wrong thinner, but that usually doesn't give the results you got.  I usually thin the clearcoats more than I do the colored enamels.

Bill,

You’re right, there aren’t really that many decals.

The 103 on the front of the chart house, one on each side of the chart house and maybe one on the 20mm mount at the stern. When I say maybe, it’s that after going through numerous photos, some boats had them and others didn’t in theater. When the 103 boat was launched, there were numbers on the mount and depth markers on the stern, although not as large as the kits. Also, I can’t find any shots of the 103 stern in theater.

Anyway, all that to say, no it wouldn’t be much trouble with the decals but I feel it would be an issue with the weathering. Also, after I seal them with another coat of Future, then I have spots that are smooth and then the rest of the boat with the pebbling.

Steve

I can't imagine that there are too many decals. Brush on some Future in those areas should help.

CapnMac82

Wow. 

Will give even odds that decals will silver on that like it's going out of style,

Weathering will show a lot of extra "texture" but, that would probably be survivable.  Maybe.

You could try another coat of the clear you used, to see if it's carrier will "cut" that finish and level out.

Or, could try a coat of Future (floor wax) to see if that would "level over" the pebbling.

Beyond that, I got nothing.

 

Thanks Capn' for your response. I agree with your assessment that the decals would silver badly. As for the texture, I think I'm going to try and brush on some Future and see if that will level it out. I don't want to get too much clear coat on her as that will mess with all the details but I would hate to ruin this boat at the finish line. Here is to crossing my fingers.

Steve

Wow. 

Will give even odds that decals will silver on that like it's going out of style,

Weathering will show a lot of extra "texture" but, that would probably be survivable.  Maybe.

You could try another coat of the clear you used, to see if it's carrier will "cut" that finish and level out.

Or, could try a coat of Future (floor wax) to see if that would "level over" the pebbling.

Beyond that, I got nothing.