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Alclad,,, to clear or not to clear,,,, that is the ?....

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  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Hancock, Me USA
Alclad,,, to clear or not to clear,,,, that is the ?....
Posted by p38jl on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 10:16 AM

Hello, I did a quick search for Alclad in the forums, and returned mostly kit reviews and one product review, and none I read had my answer, so I will try here..

I am painting a 1/48 XP-47J,(/forums/t/131828.aspx) all natural aluminum. I tried the alclad aluminum and like the results( although I did learn that I need to spend more time on the black undercoat ), but in finishing the build and handling the plane, the alclad is wearing off and loosing its shine in places, I reapplied the color with good results,,

this leads to my question... once I have applied the decals, should I , or should I not , clear coat it( Future, Testors gloss, etc ) ??..

Has anyone got any good ideas? experiences ? bad ?.. or ??

 

thanks !

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Rothesay, NB Canada
Posted by VanceCrozier on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 2:46 PM

hmmm - the answer seems to be "...no..."

On the bench: Airfix 1/72 Wildcat; Airfix 1/72 Vampire T11; Airfix 1/72 Fouga Magister

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 2:59 PM

The manufacturer says "no", so I have never tried to put a clear coat on it.  Here is an Alclad site that may answer many questions for all:

 

http://www.alclad2.com/techinfo.html

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Hancock, Me USA
Posted by p38jl on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 3:12 PM

thanks Chuck, I did check it out..as near as I could see, it doesn't say yes or no.. I may have missed it if it did...

 

Maybe someone else has tried it or  ???

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Monday, February 28, 2011 5:38 PM

Alclad does make a sealer: http://www.scalehobbyist.com/manufacturers/Alclad_Paints/Paints/ALC00000310/product.php?s=3&t=1&pg=2&ppp=24&sb=stocknumber&so=a&e=0&man=alc

they just recently came out with it. Thet caim it does not alter the finish.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Hancock, Me USA
Posted by p38jl on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 8:06 AM

thanks ! sweet. I might try that on the next paint job.. Yes

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  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: SF
Posted by gobears01 on Saturday, March 5, 2011 12:06 AM

I've only used Alclad Polished Alum once on a P47, still not finished. But even after months the paint still rubs off. I figure I'll have to shoot it again. But that link plasticjunkie posted says it doesn't need a sealer. Others have said in other posts they haven't had a problem. I guess it takes time to figure out best application.

matt

Offagain-Onagain

  • Member since
    July 2010
Posted by Mad-Modeler on Saturday, March 5, 2011 12:10 AM

I don't clear coat metallics as it changes the shine/luster.

Said that I try to put down the metallics last if possible or have the model on a rig so that I don't have to touch those parts.

This is for standard metallic paints, polishable paintsmetalizers (alclad, powders, etc).

 

Some clear paints will become runny when you clear-coat them.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Saturday, March 5, 2011 10:34 AM

gobears01

. But that link plasticjunkie posted says it doesn't need a sealer. Others have said in other posts they haven't had a problem.

 

Yes it states it does not require a sealer, yet they make a clear sealer for it. Kind of confusing.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Hancock, Me USA
Posted by p38jl on Saturday, March 5, 2011 8:37 PM

here's what I used it on..[View:/themes/fsm/utility/Photobucket:550:0]

[Photobucket]

  • Member since
    April 2009
  • From: Longmont, Colorado
Posted by Cadet Chuck on Saturday, March 5, 2011 8:48 PM

My best results have been from airbrushing Alclad polished aluminum on parts made of black plastic, no primer, no clear coats, no decals, no touching.  Other than that, I have not been too happy with the stuff and will avoid using it in the future.  It's practically impossible to mask over it, without ripping it off.  It's way overpriced, too, in my opinion.  You can get a big can of Krylon bright aluminum for three bucks at Home Depot which looks just as good without the problems.

Gimme a pigfoot, and a bottle of beer...

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