Tamiya clearcoat issues

[lance]

I have used Tamiya clear for years without issue, today it ate my Interscope decals, NOT HAPPY !!!
I guess I will be looking for a new clear coat, really do not want to use future floor polish,
what are some other decent options?

[quattro]

Lance

Sorry to hear about your woes.

Of late I took on a recommendation by one of the slot car scratchers.

Mr Hobby Topcoat.

Think you can get it in gloss, semi gloss and matt.

I dunno if it is available over there. Not easy to find here.
I had a couple of issues with the Tamiya clear as well so tried this product.
All four cans I have used have not caused me any issue thus far.
Can even spray it on clear plastic pieces from kits and slot kits.
No fogging or anything
but not yet tried it on the thinner vac form type material.material.

Sure some of the lads on here can suggest other decent clear coats.

[Calvin]

Mr. Color in a jar Ive used with great success
Im completely puzzled by your situation. Was it a brand-new can of Tamiya?

[indy]

Heard issues before about applying TS13 in heavy coats. Multiple mist coats before a heavy coat is supposed to help.

Sorry to hear about your issues, Lance.

Jordan

[illeagle10]

Sorry to hear of your issue Lance. I don't usually use rattle cans. If I do I decant the paint and use my air brush. The paint flow is much easier to control for me with the air brush. With that said, I was never comfortable with rattle can clear finishes. I also was never happy with Future Floor Polish. I use the Tamiya acrylic clear coat X-22 through my airbrush, for me it goes on smooth, however it takes a little longer to set and dry. I usually give it 48 hours, some people don't have the patients to wait that long. If I do get some orange peel, it is very easy to polish out. When it is dry it does give a hard finish too. I like it because it does not yellow like some other clear coats do.

I do have some other rattle can stuff that has been given to me to use, but I haven't tried it yet. It's called ProXL 2K Hi-gloss clear coat. I've had a couple of guys swear by it, but again I haven't used it so I can't give you a review of it. Also, it is quite expensive at around $20.00 a can. Maybe someone else here on the OW can give us some feedback on it.

Good luck Lance hope you find something that fits your need.

Jim

[Calvin]

I know for a fact that Tamiya Clear is THEeee hottest of the clears. I know, for a fact, Tamiya clear has the tendency to overwhelm Tamiya gloss black.
I know for a fact that doing careful light coats with Tamiya clear is the best habit to do.

[lance]

I was lucky to find a spare sheet in my decal stash, everything is cleaned up and fine. I have used the tamiya clear for years with Indycals decals and never had an issue. I cleaned everything up and re-decaled and clear coated with no issues.

[indycals]

Something bizarre happened. TS13 has always been my goto and I've never had issues. I do recommend using setting solution if you plan to clear coat. I don't think it's "Necessary" but it helps bond the decal to the paint and reduces the chance of wrinkling.

You could also use Tamiya clear acrylic gloss. Nice thing about Tamiya acrylics is you can thin them with acrylic thinner for shiner finishes, or lacquer thinner for more durable finishes.

[indycals]

Also I'm guessing those were some really old decals. I can only search back 8 years and I don't see an Interscope sheet being ordered in that time which means it was ALPS printed... and very old. Fresher is always better. I'd put my money on age being the culprit.

[lance]

Certainly not blaming the decals and yes they are old, no issues on the second attempt or any before.

[illeagle10]

Glad to hear you got it fixed Lance!

Jim