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Aclad Problems

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  • Member since
    November 2005
Aclad Problems
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 3:55 AM
Greetings from Aviano AB, Italy. I've just discovered the Aclad range of natural metal finishes. While the process required to apply them (primer, then gloss black acrylic) is lengthy, the results were beautiful. However, after about a week in several cases, and more than a month in another case, the surface has become marred by a myriad of tiny cracks. In fact, it's almost as if the layer of paint was shattered. Have other had this problem? If so, any solutions to offer?
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Alice Springs Australia
Posted by tweety1 on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 10:02 AM
From my experience, and that of a few others from this forum, your cracks are probably due to the random drying time of the various coats you have applied.

In my case, I didn't allow for the change of season we had here over a month.
The price was a totally stuffed P-38J.

The second time I used Alclad I allowed a 2 week drying period between coats.
So far there have been no cracks, and it has been 5 months since I finished my model.

Experiment with some plasti card I think, and see how ti works out.
Has to be better than having a dozen ruined models.
--Sean-- If you are driving at the speed of light and you turn on the headlights, what happens???
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 1:01 PM
I've used a lot of Alclad2 & never had a problem, but several members have posted on the same problem. I'm not sure what causes it, but it seems to be related to the gloss black undercoat.

Regards, Rick
RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: SETX. USA
Posted by tho9900 on Tuesday, May 24, 2005 5:48 PM
ditto here... I had the same prob on my P-47, luckily just on the drop tanks.. the difference is I waited to spray the body but the drop tanks got done sooner after putting the gloss black on. From now on I plan on using Model Master gloss black instead of Alclads black primer and letting it dry a week first. I am going to try just putting a coat on top of the alclad and see if it covers it... it doesn't appear to have any lines in it, just the black shows through the topcoat..

(I have a second P-47 I will do the real thing on once I get it right)

---edit---

I did find this recently and might try it... Alclad recommends the Testors grey or even just future to spray the normal aluminum colors over, I'll see how that works... only HAVE to use the gloss black for the chrome and polished aluminum. --- interesting note at the botom about chrome AND ONLY chrome is to be used over gloss black model paint...

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

QUOTE: Apply one of these primers before using Regular ALCLAD:
Tamiya Plastic Primers-white or grey
Auto Primer-white or grey
Future/Klear -floor sealer/polish

Plastic primers and auto primers should be lightly polished with 1000/1200 wet & dry paper to give a less absorbent glossy surface .

ALCLAD High Shine -Chrome and Polished Aluminium both require a dark glossy base. Polished Aluminium should be used over Tamiya TS-14 gloss black,or gloss black auto paint. Chrome and only chrome should be used over gloss black model enamel paint.

---Tom--- O' brave new world, That has such people in it!
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Alice Springs Australia
Posted by tweety1 on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 10:26 AM
Hmmm, might give the Future a lash next time.
--Sean-- If you are driving at the speed of light and you turn on the headlights, what happens???
  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: A Spartan in the Wolverine State
Posted by rjkplasticmod on Wednesday, May 25, 2005 12:13 PM
I've been using Future over a light grey enamel primer or a black enamel top coat & then spraying the Alclad2 after it's cured for a couple of days. No problem yet.

Regards, Rick
RICK At My Age, I've Seen It All, Done It All, But I Don't Remember It All...
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 2:56 AM
Dear friends,

I have not used alclad before, but I had some cracks after using Tamiya Lacquer sprays. After much research and asking around I notice that my display cabinet was the source of the problem. the heat and light generated by the display cabinet had made my paints crack. the best solution was to put a half cup of plain water in the cabinet - this was told by my LHS in Malaysia. and I noticed that in Hong Kong 's LHS they also had a cup of plain water in their display cabinet. I have no idea whats with the water for however it really works. Perhaps someone can explain the truth of this.

Reza
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Australia
Posted by Bandha Boy on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 4:09 AM
I think it's from applying the Alclad too thickly, it should go on much thinner than normal paint & be layered up. Check this article out:
http://www.kitparade.com/features01/f86dgc_1.htm
Carl
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