Help with clear coats

Hi Clive,

I have always struggled with the same issues with the clear coat not offering much protection for the paint underneath during weathering.  What I started using that has eliminated all of the hassle is water-based Flory washes.  Those can even be applied over any kind of model paint, with no clear coat of any kind, in cases where you haven't applied decals yet.  You just slop it all over the model with a large brush, let it dry for 30 minutes, and then wipe off the excess with a damp sponge.

Thank you EagleCash. It sounds similar to the way you would use a filter. I've never used this brand but I do know that when I've used Vallejo water based filters it churns up the acrylic camo , particularly so if I was to use a brush and then a damp sponge on it. That's why I changed to airbrushing a Humbrol acrylic clear coat so as not to agitate the base coat with a brush  Is Flory paint different?  

Haven't had Flory Wash attack any paint that I have used it on.  I think its because its truly water-based, with plain water being the only liquid ingredient in it.  I have run into issues with other washes that say they're water-based, but I think there were other things like ammonia in those.  Flory is the only thing I have used that was truly safe on any finish.  Its just water and a super-fine clay-based pigment.  I really hate to use the expression "game changer", but its definitely been just that for me.  Takes all the stress and worry out of weathering.

Used it for the first time on this F-16CJ, after having a near-disaster on it using Tamiya panel line accenter.  I only did a small portion near the nose with the Tamiya, and it started stripping the paint down to the primer, through an acrylic AND a lacquer clear coat.  The damage was thankfully confined to that small area, and I can just say it is paint wear due to air resistance.  The rest was done with Flory black, and while the tiny Tamiya portion took hours to get somewhat right...I did the whole rest of the jet with Flory in about 45 minutes, which included the 30 minute drying time I allowed for the Flory.

I do not find acrylic very safe against enamel thinners.  Sometimes works and sometimes doesn't.  That is why I like lacquer clearcoats.  One has to watch its compatability with paint below, but it works great to weather over.  I find the Testors clearcoat lacquers to seem okay over most types of paints.

They are pretty easy to use,here is a link to their site and some video tutorials

https://www.florymodels.org/washes