Spraying Alclad II Gloss Black Base Lacquer

Probably best to ditch the Alclad Gloss Black Base and just shoot some Tamiya X-1 Gloss Black onto those leading edges.  The Alclad base has been problematic for a lot of guys here, including me.  It just never seems to cure fully.  Tamiya X-1, on the other hand, cures quickly and makes an awesome base coat for Alclad.

Can't tell you what needle to use in the terms you're looking for, but I use a #1 needle on my Paasche H (the smallest of the Paasche H needles).  I use a thin mixture of the Tamiya X-1 and give a light coat in the first couple of passes, then move in closer for the final, wet coat to get a mirror-like gloss on the black.  The Alclad color you can shoot straight out of the bottle.  The typical recommendation I see for pressure with Alclad is 12-15, but from my airbrush, I like the results better at 20.  Practice the base coat and Alclad on a few spoons to see what works best for you before putting it on that jet you've worked so hard on.

Its best to give the X-1 a full 24-48 hours to cure before laying down the Alclad.  Uncured base-coat has been known to make cracks in the Alclad.

I spray the alclad base right from the bottle at 17ish lbs through a Paasche H 3 tip.   It does take a long time to cure so protect the paint for 7 or so days.  I have used Tamiya and ModelMaster gloss blacks as well with success.

Thank you, Eaglecash.  Very helpful. Gonna experiment on spoons before using the Alclad.  Will pick up the Tamiya X-1 and test also.  So grateful for this heads up as I have a bunch of Blues models to do.

Oh, follow up question. After masking for the base coat.  Leave the mask for the metallic finish or remove after base coat and re-mask?

Thanks a bunch, keavdog!  Going to experiment!  FYI... I'm back to modeling after a 30 year hiatus.   I have two Harder and Steenbeck Infinities, a Paasche VSR and Talon but there is something about my Paasche H that keeps drawing me back to it.  I just laid down the most astonishing Testors Glosscote finish thinned with Mr. Color Levelling Thinner with the H.  

Yep, 95% of what I do is with the H!

Deaf Smith

Thank you, Eaglecash.  Very helpful. Gonna experiment on spoons before using the Alclad.  Will pick up the Tamiya X-1 and test also.  So grateful for this heads up as I have a bunch of Blues models to do.

Oh, follow up question. After masking for the base coat.  Leave the mask for the metallic finish or remove after base coat and re-mask?

 

No problem!

I usually just leave the masking on until everything is done and cured.  That way you don't end up with a strange looking line between the colors because you didn't quite get your second masking in exactly the same place as the first.  Once you get the Alclad laid down, that cures in minutes.

I'm right there with both of you guys on the Paasche H.  Its a workhorse and cleaning/maintaining it is effortless.  Just got new caps, needles, and color cups for it because I use it so much almost all the chrome plating was gone from those parts.

I use the Tamiya black X-14 from the spray can for alclad undercoats- love it.

The Alclad metalizer itself is very thin and sprays beautifully in my airbrush.  Be sure to clean the airbrush immediately with lacquer thinner- that stuff dries fast.