Clear coats

S

Sprzout

Guest
I'm currently in process for spraying clear coat on my video game controllers to preserve the paint I've laid down, and I'm having a heckuva time trying to find one that will work solidly for me. I've tried Krylon's Acrylic Clear aerosol spray, and it seems to just dry tacky. It's been 2 weeks since I last laid down a clear coat over my acrylic, and when I handle it, I'm noticing fingerprints being pushed into the paint.

I thought originally it was just naturally occurring oils, like what you'd see if you were to pick up a clean glass, you get a fingerprint on the glass. However, on this, I'm noticing that my clear coat is soft, and pressure from my thumb or fingers is leaving the ridges of my prints in the clear coat itself.

I'd sprayed the clear over Testor's Aztek airbrush paints that I'd let dry for anywhere from 12-24 hours, and have done multiple light coats of the clear on the controller to get that "wet gloss" look, but it's still seeming really soft.

Do I need to try something else, and if so, are there any recommendations to get it to set and harden to something that won't pick up my prints if I push down on the paint? Should I go with some light heat from a heat gun, or what?
 
Is the clear a 2 part one - one with a hardener you need to add to it?
If so then you may not havbe enough hardener in the mix.
If it's a single, I'd suggest you didn't thin it enough when you sprayed and it hasn't 'gone off ' right.
Whichever is the case, your clear coating has not hardened the way it's supposed to.
 
Is the clear a 2 part one - one with a hardener you need to add to it?
If so then you may not havbe enough hardener in the mix.
If it's a single, I'd suggest you didn't thin it enough when you sprayed and it hasn't 'gone off ' right.
Whichever is the case, your clear coating has not hardened the way it's supposed to.

The clear I'm shooting with is Krylon's Crystal Clear Acrylic. It's a spray can, not actually an airbrush mixture; Although, since you're talking about how thin the spray is for a single part mixture, I'm guessing I neeed to apply more coatings, at thin layer.
 
You need to follow instructions for clear to the letter. The right heaviness of coat, and exactly the right flash time between coats. Sounds like the first coat(s) haven't flashed properly. Conditions may not have been ideal either - too cold or damp perhaps.
If you want to stick to aerosol but give 2k a try, check out Spraymax. It has an activator and only lasts 24(?) hours, so best wait til you have a few controllers to do at once. Again stick religiously to the instructions.
 
You need to follow instructions for clear to the letter. The right heaviness of coat, and exactly the right flash time between coats. Sounds like the first coat(s) haven't flashed properly. Conditions may not have been ideal either - too cold or damp perhaps.
If you want to stick to aerosol but give 2k a try, check out Spraymax. It has an activator and only lasts 24(?) hours, so best wait til you have a few controllers to do at once. Again stick religiously to the instructions.

Good to know. I'm willing to try an AB clear, but I'm guessing I would need a hardener for it? Any recommendations, preferably something that's acrylic friendly?
 
Recently I did a motorcycle tank, and chose to use a single pack acrylic from the Spartan paints automotive range.
As usual, I'd already sprayed , wet sanded and prepped the tank.
For this sort of work, I'd suggest you invest in either a "mini" gun [ see Iwata range ] or a small HPLV unit.
These will both suit clear coating work, be able to run off your existing ab compressor, and give you the finish that you're looking for.
Compatibility between makers can be an issue so always [ AND I MEAN ALWAYS! ] do a test peice first.
I know it's a pita, but it will save you time and rework later on.
Get into the habit, it's so worth it.
 
Hmmm...I've got an HPLV detail gun that my dad bought from Eastwood several years ago with the intention to paint our Corvette; after he got sick and ended up in the hospital, though, painting and repairing the Vette fell off. I might consider that, but I'd have to either take my stuff to him (a 60 mi round trip) or find a way to shoot it in my apartment without having tons of overspray...food for thought.
 
Do you know any panelbeaters? if so save a few up and then just take down a batch to be painted on the side of another job..Generally they won't charge you much if its just a case of wacking on some clear as they are doing other jobs..I buy most of my clear made in shop by an auto paint supplier..its called crystal clear I think but they make it in a pressure pack for me..Costs about the same perhaps a frag more as a shelf clear you can get anywhere but its mixed properly and generally is better quality..Some lamps may also be a good bet for ya if it is a bit cold, paint needs a specific minimum temperature to harden, you have to also consider how cold the actual substrate may be in relation to ambient temp..I personally would never clear through an airbrush, unless its a super small part but prefer to keep clear out of it..but it can be done no probs but yer no hardener LOL..You can set up a little spray booth if your apartment is your only possible painting area but its just as easy to save the clearing to the following day and do it out in the sunshine (open air)..good luck
 
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