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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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  ???

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

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