Clear Coat Over Acrylic

mbuk77 · Post by **mbuk77** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:13 am

Hi Everyone

I am currently painting a Fine Molds Snowspeeder with Gunze Sangyo aqueous acrylic paints.

I was kind of hoping to apply an aerosol clear coat before and after decaling but unfortunately in New Zealand there doesn't seem to be many acrylic options.

What is the best way to go here? Will laquer clear coats (such as Testors clear cote and dull cote)work ok? I seem to get a lot of mixed feedback, some say this is a no-no some say it's ok.

Would I be best just to airbrush Gunze clear coat on there?

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 9:35 am

I've had bad luck with lacquer clear coats over acrylic. I'd suggest looking for a polyurethane based clear coat or even an artist spray fixative.

& always test out on a non-critical piece.

SJM · Post by **SJM** » Mon May 30, 2011 10:29 pm

If you're in NZ then the Tamiya brand should be widely available? That's what I use here.

I've been using Tamiya TS-13 clear coat, a synthetic lacquer, which apparently fully cures in about an hour. -Given a thinish coat. You shouldn't have any problems with using a mixure of acrylic or enamel paints when using TS 13.

Just my 2c

Kitkat · Post by **Kitkat** » Tue May 31, 2011 10:46 am

I would be very careful of using the Tamiya clear coat. I've had it bubble my paint before. It is extremely "hot" stuff. It might be okay over acrylic but not sure I'd chance it. I'd stay with water based clear coats or Future.

Post by **TER-OR** » Tue May 31, 2011 9:27 pm

I airbrush PolyScale's acrylic clear coat. VERY THIN multiple coats are required. Gunze Sangyo's acrylic matte coat is OK, but a bit fidgity.