Acrylic laquer

[Draxden]

Hey guys, I haven't been able to get on lately due to internet issues. However those are I've, and I'm seeking the professional advice of you guys !

If any of you remember I paint controllers, however I recently decided to try a new clear coat to try to find something tougher than what I have been using. Now I managed to find something that seems to dry harder and better. However now I'm having issues with it after it's sat for a few days. Along the edges of my controller shells the clear has developed small white dot like marks in it. I've never seen this before, as I've never used an acrylic lacquer I'm assuming it has something to do with the type of clear .But my confusion is it's ONLY on the edges and the flat parts of the shell shell are very clean, smooth and shiny. So I could definitely use some help in identifying what has happened and how to prevent it!

 

[jord001]

I'm no expert on clear. It could be tiny air bubbles or it could be a dry layer underneath what I mean by that is the layer underneath wasn't put on wet enough. Edges are always a problem because they are so thin. The top is nice and wide so you almost always get good coverage. If you can try spraying another and make sure you coat the edge more, see what happens. Hopefully someone with more clear coating experience can also comment.

Lee

 

[SiRoxx]

That’s what I was wondering Lee. @Robbyrockett2 will chime in when he can, he has a bunch of experience with different laquers.

 

[twood]

It looks sort of like solvent pop. Being at the edge of the green, you could have a slight heavier build of paint that didn't set up between layers of paint and set off through the clear.
I have noticed that different paint colors act differently when clearing. What paint did you use?

 

[Draxden]

I was thinking something a long the lines of a solvent pop as well from what I've read about them. But couldn't come up with a definite answer. There was an Xbox shell as well I did that I did get a small run in, which resulted in this as well, but with these I didn't notice a single run.

As for the paint I used vallejo model color airbrushed on, and the clear is a duplicolor acrylic lacquer. I did a test piece with all paints I used prior to doing this just to see if there would be a reaction, and I didn't get this on the test piece. However I also didnt buff the whole test piece, just a small section to see how well it did.

 

[Robbyrockett2]

Its either solvent pop or edge mapping, kind of looks like you may have a line of both. In this case edge mapping would most likely be caused by the basecoat being thicker at the edge then not drying completely before clear is applied, is it the last spot to dry? Could just need more time.

Solvent pop would be because the clear pools at the edge. On something so small you can usually naturally avoid this by hanging the part eye level when you paint it. Most times clear pools at the edge the part was painted sitting on something flat and the tendency is to spray too heavy on the vertical edges. Basically you don't get a run, you get a sag that stops at the edge.
As always keep your coats thin

 

[Draxden]

Its either solvent pop or edge mapping, kind of looks like you may have a line of both. In this case edge mapping would most likely be caused by the basecoat being thicker at the edge then not drying completely before clear is applied, is it the last spot to dry? Could just need more time.

Solvent pop would be because the clear pools at the edge. On something so small you can usually naturally avoid this by hanging the part eye level when you paint it. Most times clear pools at the edge the part was painted sitting on something flat and the tendency is to spray too heavy on the vertical edges. Basically you don't get a run, you get a sag that stops at the edge.
As always keep your coats thin

Yeah, I kind of figured it was something to do with a heavy spray. It's only the second time I have used this clear, and honestly for s rattle can this stuff is the best I've found. I'm too poor for an actual clear setup unfortunately. It says to apply a few light coats then a medium wet coat, I may have made it s bit too wet when I was doing that. I was trying to spray all four pieces as well as the Xbox controller. So it could have been me not paying close enough attention to what I was doing.

 

[Robbyrockett2]

Yeah, I kind of figured it was something to do with a heavy spray. It's only the second time I have used this clear, and honestly for s rattle can this stuff is the best I've found. I'm too poor for an actual clear setup unfortunately. It says to apply a few light coats then a medium wet coat, I may have made it s bit too wet when I was doing that. I was trying to spray all four pieces as well as the Xbox controller. So it could have been me not paying close enough attention to what I was doing.

When they say light , it's very light, then let flash a minute or so. If you're on the money It will look like crap until 30 seconds-1 minute after the medium wet coat is sprayed (which wont immediately look wet) , then you'll see it kind of melt together and get slicker and slicker. Use one can to practice on some scrap something.... you'll be surprised when you see it do what im talking about.

 

[Robbyrockett2]

Also spraygunner sells little 40z bottles of 2k under their no name brand for airbrushing that you might be interested in.

 

[SiRoxx]

Also spraygunner sells little 40z bottles of 2k under their no name brand for airbrushing that you might be interested in.

That’s a great call, I was about to look for he link to the thread that you posted.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Draxden]

When they say light , it's very light, then let flash a minute or so. If you're on the money It will look like crap until 30 seconds-1 minute after the medium wet coat is sprayed (which wont immediately look wet) , then you'll see it kind of melt together and get slicker and slicker. Use one can to practice on some scrap something.... you'll be surprised when you see it do what im talking about.

I honestly think that may be my issue then. Because when I spray it on, to me it doesn't look wet at all really. Just looks like a heavier dusting. So I spray a bit more on there until it actually looks wet which would cause all the build up as well..thank you!

Also spraygunner sells little 40z bottles of 2k under their no name brand for airbrushing that you might be interested in.

I definitely need to look into that. That spraymax stuff is too expensive for my use. Not enough shelf life for the price.