Problems with my clearcoat.

What about just plain ol' Testors Glosscote? I think it is an enamel, so it won't be as harsh on top of decals. It will take longer to dry, but should give better results.

The other option I would explore is Tamiya's TS-13, which gives a nice shine but is tricky to use. Several light mist coats before the wet coats are a must when using it. Give it 5-7 minutes between mist coats and wait a week or longer before even starting the clear over the color--make sure the color is completely cured/dry. If it's done right, it looks awesome.

Is your clear coat part of their new Lacquer line, the one that also includes the 'grabber' colors? If it is, I'd say that's the problem... I've tried that brand before and hated it..it fogged up on mine.

Personally, I'd go with Tamiya spray clear (think it's TS-13?) that way you aren't mixing brands. IIRC, the MM/ Testors lines of lacquers are 'hotter' than Tamiya's, which could be another factor.

HTH

Hi James,

My first thought would be insufficient mixing of the paints. I'm assuming that you're using a spray metallic black - you should shake well, for at least 3 minutes to ensure that the paint is thoroughly mixed. Even though it doesn't contain any pigment, shake the can of clear gloss for the same length of time.

My second thought is that the ambient temperature may be too high and the paint is drying before it has had sufficient time to level and form a glossy surface.

I'm not sure what's going on with your decals, but be careful applying a spray-can clear gloss over decals. Many spray clearcoats are lacquers, and can cause decals to lift and wrinkle (and sometimes split). When spraying over decals, apply light mist coats and allow to dry before applying your heavier "wet" coats.