clear finish

bpwmd

Young Tutorling
im shopping for paints for my helmet. im making a boba fett and i need to know what i should use to make anice hard finish that isalso dead flat. preffer somethingthat can get sprayed from an airbrush
 
Well clear isn't made to be sprayed with an airbrush. You can't get large enough passes and will have horrible streaks. Also an airbrush is too fine as clear needs a larger needle diameter like 1.3mm. You can add what's called a flattening agent to any clear to make it flat. If you wanting to go the spray can route, just use anything that says matte, same thing. Matte and flat, satin or semi gloss, glossy. Those are all your main choices.
 
Well clear isn't made to be sprayed with an airbrush. You can't get large enough passes and will have horrible streaks. Also an airbrush is too fine as clear needs a larger needle diameter like 1.3mm. You can add what's called a flattening agent to any clear to make it flat. If you wanting to go the spray can route, just use anything that says matte, same thing. Matte and flat, satin or semi gloss, glossy. Those are all your main choices.
What's the glossiest clear that can be sprayed over Wicked? I have access to a cupgun (my dads, he used to use it for painting houses and he recently used it to paint the framework for a metal sign) if it can't be put through an airbrush.
 
Any 2-part urethane clear will give you a high gloss and good protection. If all you're doing is a helmet, I'd look at the SprayMax 2k clear-in-a-cans. If you want a matte finish, you could do it with a spray can matte clear, buy a matte 2k clear kit, or buy a 2k clear kit and some flattening agent (which you could adjust to your liking then).

Trust me, you don't want that stuff in any airbrush you plan on using again, anyway.
 
We use 2K clear, and hubbs does that in the garage. But, then again, we use it for everything, including helmets. I was told use very little corn starch in clear to make it matte. Never tried it, so, I have NO IDEA if that works or not (If your in a pinch)
 
Isn't corn starch a white powder? . That wouldn't cloud the clear coat?
 
We use 2K clear, and hubbs does that in the garage. But, then again, we use it for everything, including helmets. I was told use very little corn starch in clear to make it matte. Never tried it, so, I have NO IDEA if that works or not (If your in a pinch)
I was told to make clearcoat matt to add talcum powder but like Meesh I have never tried it and also have NO IDEA if it works or how much to add.
 
Ugh I hate the baby powder trick. Yes it was a trick in the old days. Keyword OLD DAYS. Think about it, what paint did they have back then? Lacquer and single stage enamels. You can use it in today's paint I suppose if you want, but you add it to the PAINT not the clear. I've used this trick on single stage acrylic paint only for a John deere tractor that the guy wanted super flat. You just add a little baby powder, stir it up and check the flatness. Repeat until satisfied. It does make the surface porous and acts more like a satin finish. The baby powder should contain corn starch

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All I know is this- if I've taken the time to prep and paint an entire project, there is no way I'm going to try something like putting baby powder in my clear to make it matte. Why risk potentially ruining all the work you've already done, when a matte additive designed to work with my clear is available, and not that expensive?

I think Immortal Concepts has the right idea. Not all of the "old tricks" work with todays new paints. Some, like using a "burn coat" on your final coat of clear, CAN work out really well if you're careful and have a some practice at it. But, I wouldn't normally recommend the technique since it can have obvious drawbacks.

They used to use crushed fish scales or oyster shells to make pearlecent paints. Any idea how many fish it takes to have enough pearl to cover a van? Me neither, and I'm guessing that my customers may have an issue with me spending a day fishing when a deadline is looming. (I, however, am all for the fishing part, at least. In fishing vs. sanding primer, fishing wins any day. Even in Wisconsin, and yes, even in January)
 
2000 fish per liter of pearl essence is the general guideline that was followed before mica was used

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Holy crap thats a lot of fish. lol.

I'm actually reconsidering my stance on that part. I'm thinking the time spent fishing would more than make up for the time spent de-scaling 2000 fish. Plus, then I can charge more because I'm "old school". I'm thinking my whole business plan is going to need to get shifted around a bit. lol.
 
Do yaself a favour, head down to an auto paint specialist, most of them these days can make you up a spraypack of acrylic clear.It will still dry hard but won't rush to do so as no hardeners will be in there, if its only the occasional clearing ya gonna do its one of the easiest ways, it does cost a bit more than your cheapie clear spraypacks from the hardware but will give ya a much better result and it doesn't make you think too hard..If ya gonna do a bit of clearing, set up for it and do a lot of reading.Its an artform in itself..good luck..
 
If you use a "flattening agent" to shoot a flat clear, can it still be flatted back if you get the odd run or hanging curtain? - just curious.
 
Well if you wetsand flat, it won't go glossy but it will haze and look more like satin in the area sanded. If you do a re coat it should fix it. If left alone it will always show up. If you even use the wrong mitten to wash the paint, it will swirl and leave marks. It won't go completely glossy, but it will be noticable. You have to wash them more and use special products (regular dish soap will ruin a flat finish) so no buffing, polishing, waxes, or standard car care products. Scratches don't show up as easily on flat because it's rough surface so doesn't reflect light letting you see the scratches, but they are permanent unlike in glossy. You can't sand and buff it out. Flat looks cool, but can be a pita to maintain properly. Reserved for people that can afford special care products and garaged vehicle is a must.

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