Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! !!!!!!

Nothing is worse than spend time meticulously detailing a paint job and then ruining everything with a clear coat. What in the world is the secret? I talk with people who use spray paint and they get incredible clear coats on their projects. I see their wok and I am amazed. The only thing stopping me from being able to do my own cars is clear coat.

I have tried heating the paint. I either get a 'sandpaper' finish or I get too much paint and get craters everywhere. i cannot seem to find a happy medium. What is the secret??

Make sure the humidity is low when you paint, humidity will make clear coats turn milky. Keeping the paint warm is a good idea, if you are using sray cans hold the can about twelve inches from the model and make steady even passes with it, set the can in warm water between coats of paint. There is no real secret to getting a good clear coat. First use a good clear coat: I use Krylon Krystal Clear, or Dupont. With either of these you should make sure the surface is clean, and free of oil, and finger prints. Spray on a very light mist coat and let it dry hard, then sray a slightly heavier light coat and let it dry hard, then sray one or two heavier coats( not too heavy) leting each dry before spraying the next coat. After the Clear coat has cured for a couple of days polish it with a good no residue low abrasive polish.

Cheers!
Tom

Oh man, how I've been there. I usually don't clear coat over decals on my customs. They're Sunday Drivers, so I don't mess them up. If I drive them hard, it's on a drag strip with lots of coast room at the end.

I've ruined too many cars trying to figure out how to clear coat over decals. I haven't tried Future Floor wax, but I've bought a car or two that have been coated with it and I wasn't knocked out by it. Still, it seems a safe way to protect your decals. I plan on giving it a try on a few runners.

I also like Krylon Crystal Clear and Krylon Triple Thick Glaze. I haven't been brave enough to spray it on decals, but after reading Ragnar's Report, I think I'll give it a try this weekend

I once ruined a car that I worked for weeks trying to get right. I was bummed for days
after I messed it up ... now you tell me, is that a symptom of "slotahaulism" or what?

Yes VJ! U R A slot-aholic ...Deal with it. :p

I start shaking whenever I even think about clearbombing a car!

BP @ 170 over 110, pulse @ 120 BPM :freak:

I usually spray a box er sumthin' first, then huff some fumes.... calms me right down! ;)

Been using Duplicolor Hi-Temp clear, It's idiot proof so it's right up my alley. Fast drying and stretches out nicely.

No touchee! As Ragnar emphisized cleanliness is one of the big factors. After I'm satisfied with my base; I always try to get my brush touch or accents and details down and dry, then fire the clear on. The body/parts never leave the hobby clamp unless it's totally unavoidable.

When touched or left laying around to the environment a wax and grease remover should be used prior to reshooting. I also use a tack rag to be absolutely certain.

Call me paranoid, I R A slot-aholic, but fisheyes, goobers, and accidents are a given...the trick is too avoid/minimize them. Practice will teach patience and preserverance when painting!

Above all I always try and remember Bobzilla's golden rule...No touchee! Just walk away!

Step up and use a base clear system like Dupont chromabase,or glasurit.
DRAGjet

Step up and use a base clear system like Dupont chromabase,or glasurit.
DRAGjet

LOL, ya millionare! How about a loan Drag? ;)

It's all about cost! Dontcha think? A lot of guys cant just walk out to the 1:1 shop and hook up like you and I do! :p We're spoiled!

Not to mention the astronomical cost of good paint systems these days...Zoiks! :freak:

Cant take the bomb cans away yet!

Thanks everybody. I have calmed down - LOL
I pretty much have to stick with spray cans so I am going to go through the suggestions here for technique and product. We'll see.

UPDATE:
I tried the suggestions. Still crappy - LOL. So I had a buddy who paints really well come over and watch me paint to critique my method. Turns out I was trying to paint the whole car at one time if that makes sense. Now I lay a strip of paint down and wait to see how it is going to 'lay'. I repeat this as necessary to get a full, smooth coat and now I am getting very NICE coats with spray cans!!

LIFE IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!