The Ship Model Forum

Yeah, I'm sticking with Testor's. But again, I don't have airbrush, so it's right out of a spray can, OUTSIDE, on my balcony. So control is a little difficult. Apparently, according to my local hobby shop, being careful with the L-Clear and doing fine mist coats first would be ok on the decals and paint.

What I will do is automotive acrylic enamel - decals - testor's decal setting spray (to create a barrier I guess) - testors dullcoat. The paint will be fine in this case, I just have to hope the enamel clear won't be ruined by this.

Just stay away from the Tamiya clears with decals. I do mostly automotive projects and we always steer clear of that particular product. While dullcoat is also a lacquer, airbrushing it over decals seems to be fine. Less aggressive.

Ok, so I did a test on another model in the same set I was working on (I took a risk on that rather than my main model) using the automotive Acrylic Lacquer clearcoat. It seems to have no effect on the enamel, and it left a VERY shiny coat. Smooth enough for decals. Any tips on sanding the clear coat? Should I do it or not bother?

I think I will return the Tamiya and get the Testor's clear dullcoat instead. Might be safer. Bad time to screw things up at the end of a project!

been doing some browsing, and unlike Tamiya, TESTORS' website indicates that their clear lacquers will go on all their paints (enamel and acrylic) AND decals, provided they dry for 24 hours. Just as long as I can FIND those Testor's spray cans!

Thus I agree with your idea as a backup: clearcoat enamel on paint - decals - clearcoat enamel again - and if I need it to look flatter, the flat clear from Tamiya (assuming it won't interfere with the enamel clear). I just don't want to loose all the fine details on the model with so many coats!

Still - should I even consider that decal bonding coat?

I already have the acrylic laquer clear coat which I was planning to return. Maybe I should just use that instead.

Sacha

Seems like if it's not much trouble, you could just give it another gloss coat on top of the decals and then spray the flat coat on top of that second gloss layer.

I am building a ship - a STARSHIP mind you, but a ship nonetheless.

My concern is about paints and coating. I coated the plastic in adhesion promoter, then automotive high build primer, then TAMIYA colour paint for my base coat (laquer based). All my detail painting has been done in ENAMEL. I use Humbrol / Testors paints because it is what was lying around, what I can afford, less smelly, and I rarely finish them (no airbrush, and no plans to any time soon due to space).

SO - what do I coat it in? Let me know if I am on the right track: My plan is a clear gloss coat (automotive Acrylic Enamel clearcoat - compatible with both paints) on which I intend to place my decals, then a dull coat over that to protect (all my old models have fading / discoloured decals because they haven't been coated). Here's the problem - the Tamiya Flat Clear (same as dull coat I guess?) specifies NOT to spray it on decals and stickers (presumably because it is a laquer? - I KNOW the testors dullcout IS laquer). Will using the TESTORS Decal bonding agent to protect the decals aleviate this problem? (I'd spray all surfaces). I'm really not sure what to do.

Starships aren't meant to be glossy, though I wouldn't mind a nice satin finish.

Again, I don't use airbrush, and I live in an apartment with my mom so space and resource is an issue.

Sacha