Alclad II cracks?

I am no paint expert, but the one and only time I used black primer, after I applied the Alclad I realized that 48 hours was not sufficient cure time for the black laquer and my F104 finish did 'crack".  Many claim that you need black primer for reflective effects for the alclad, but I just went to polishing (with a quality plastic polish) the bare plastic, then priming with Future. I am pleased and have had no problems since:

You will get a lot of opnions on this, but unless they are backed up with a pic, I wouldn't trust them.

Steve

I'm right in there with Crockett, I tried the black lacquer primer with the same results... cracking over most of the fuselage after a day or two, I even let mine sit about two weeks before I used the Alclad on it.  After the cracks I went back about 5 months later and tried it on some areas I hit yet and still didn't like the results.  (believe it or not, the gloss black still felt tacky after that long)

I use the same method as him now, polish the plastic nice and shiny with progressive grit sandpaper (I also use those nail board, the medium and fine will get the plastic like glass!) then a few light coats of future until I build up a glass like surface.  Let that cure a few days and BAM!!!  You're painting the Alclad like a pro..  (sound effects thrown in to add drama to story)