I've done it, can't comment though on durability. They didn't peel in flight at least. Then the bird cored and that fancy paint job was moot.

Warren

Always a good idea to try a sample decal before applying clear coat on the bird and decal because I've had the decals react and the ink smeared. On the other hand. vinyl letteing has stuck very nicely. I've been considering using Future Floor Wax or something similiarly acrylic coating type but haven't tried that yet.

I tried clear coat over vinyl eletrical tape. It was an orange colored trim used on my 3" bullpup. Looked good at first, but after a while (about a year) it started to get "dirty" looking.

Anyway, the rocket's gone now so I don't notice if it's getting any worse.

It will really depend on the Paint. If you use an Acrylic Enamel based Clear vs say a lacquer based paint you will have issues with the latter. I say be sure to use a clear that uses a hardener or activator (like the Acrylic Enamel I use). Not just one that uses an evaporitive drying. The curative agent will allow the paint to harden without the need for large amounts of thinners/reducers which is what normally messes up decals/stickers in those that use evaprorative drying.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I use Martin Seymour which does use a hardener but it too has a thinner. I figured that would be the problem, any type of thinner/alcohol could dissolve the vinyl. I'll probably play it safe and just put the decals on top of the clear coat. I had no protective covering on the Mars Snooper decals and they showed no problems.

I'm finished with the primer, sealer, and base coat and last night I put on the first color and I'm not sure about it. I tried a green and it is an extremely bright apple green. And my other color is yellow! I have some black decals coming to dampen the effect but I'm not sure...

Doug

Doug, ALL paint of all types will have a thinner/reducer in them so that is no biggie there but the types with Hardeners have less of them in their mixing ratios so the thinner amount srent as strong. most clear coats do not have reducers in except when you mix and even then not much at all. Most of the clear is an acrylic or a urathane with the hardener. I would say if you have some spare pieces of the actual decals and a piece of G10 scrap try it and see. I wouldnt see it not working. Also for any of you that dont know I do sell and mix paint at my work as a Martin Senior and House of Kolor paint store rep. So if anything you guys need help with let me know.

Thanks

Conway

Thanks Conway, I thought it was you that worked with the paints. I've only recently begun to work with the automotive paints and I'm learning by screwing things up. I still have time before I'm applying the clear coat the think about it. I think no matter what I'm going to apply at least one clear coat before putting down the decals. I'm also considering if I want the decals with a gloss finish. Now that I think about it, I have to coat them if I want to buff the finish. Thanks again, I consider you the next time I buy paint.

Doug

Conway,

What's you opinion of the different automotive paints?

I was going to sent a private email to see what you think as this could be considered an off topic question, but I suppose it's still "painting tips".

I have played around with the Nason line by Dupont, but that's it. With the price of these paints you can't really experiment too much. I see a lot of forum traffic regarding House of Color and PPG.

Since you're pretty knowledgeable in the area, what do you think? Is one brand easier to use.... or cheaper?

Personally I'm a big fan of the PPG paints... of course, others will have different opinions...

Warren

Well you will find most of the standard paints are pretty similar. If you are looking for great paint with less expense most manufacture support 2 lines like MS (Martin Senior) does. They actually have 3 lines and soon to be 4 with the new planet color stuff coming out soon. They have the good paint at a great price called the Crossfire paint system, Then they have the great stuff called the Tech line products wich is their premium paints and they also have their prizm line wich is a high dollar paint for things like truck and trailer set ups. and industrial stuff. We also Carry house of Kolor as well as Alsa. Both of which are very custom.

The paints are all different and all use different chemistry and compounds. They normally arent compatible with one another. and most reducers and hardeners should match the manufacture recomended specs by that manufacture. So if you use MS stick with their stuff with their stuff. same goes for all other brands and clears as well. The paints by MS are Acrylic enamels and the stuff from house of Kolor is all acrylic lacquers. I am a preferential Enamel user as it has superior qualitys as Uv protection and no wheather cracking as well as more durabillity. Lacquer bases provide great show stuff but arent meant for long life or sunlight unless they have an additive they also arent as durable. I will say they are very nice looking paint jobs when newer but as time goes on..... The key things to look at when buying and trying paint is.. the chemistry what is its make. Like metioning above. How good is their pigment quality and stregnths. Some paints take more to cover some less. Do they use catalist to harden or just air dry by evaporite reducers.. How easy does it shoot and flow. temperature capabillity with said mixing componets how are your pot lifes as well as what is the smallest quanities they offer for what you want. Even their mixing aspects and color coverages. All very impotant stuff. BTW Warren.. PPG used to be a top contender.. now they are just a name riding on a past status and reputaion they cant live up to any more. the main and majority of the Chemist that created the PPG line and made them famous and legandary all pretty much now work for MS.. thus why MS has become a main play in the painting world with high quality stuff and new lines like the planet color.. House of Kolor also at one time legend status because they offered effects no one else did like Candys and Pearls and metalics and color change and Marbleizers.. they still make great stuff but I belive they need to up grade their chemistry and drop the laquer based stuff and move on to superiour products.. (another nice thing I like about the upcoming Planet Color release from MS is that its new technology paint chemisty will old school effects and colors like House of kolor and even for less money..) their are many names in paint today Names like Martin Senior, PPG, House of Kolor, Alsa, Dupont, Sherwin williams, and many many more.. Also another important thing on paint.. is the person who is mixing it and getting you what you need, If you dont have good support at the counter with talented mixing skills you may get poorly made paint and colors as well as not get the exact right stuff you need to do the job like correct reducers based on tempuratures or even hardeners or paint adhesion promoters or even the right type and color of primers. Much goes into the training of people even such as myself and not just in a classroom with books but actually sanding and cleaning and priming and painting on actual parts..

Oh yea ment to mention MS will have a new clear in the Tech line out that is a self healing scratch resistant clear. seen it. we sprayed it on a door skin one night left it in out Paint booth to dry with the booth oven on. next day came in ran a quarter across it and made a scratch.. left ir 1 more day after scratching and it dissappeared (the scratch that is)

Pretty cool stuff. I love working with paint..

Conway

I got into PPG as a result of the local vendor... right out on Main St. in Longmont and the only one who would talk to me and educate me.

Warren

Well then now, You know another that will do the same!!! 😉

Thanks Conway, I appreciate all the guidance

I'll have to branch out and try the MS line. I have been using the Acrylic Enamels and like them. Great coverage in fewer coats. I also heard that the laquers chip easier as well. Do you concur?

I brought my paints from Stan's Automotive in Longmont (9th& Main). Nice gal at the counter and willing to help - i.e. explain what's-what. I have, for the most part, been buying the mis-mixed paints to experiment with and get a few different color inexpensively. Conway, is this a bad idea? I assumed that it's just an off color, but is there something else that could be bad in the batch?

Sounds like I'll have to venture to Conway's place, and try some of the Martin Senior line.

Yes they do cover very nicely. you will find that the higher end paints like the Tech base from MS has more and higher quality pigments in the paints so even they take less paint to get good coverages vs lesser expensive paints even like the Crossfire systems stuff by MS.. Doesnt mean its not any good. Just a lesser expensive paint all based on the same chemistry except will less pigments as that is what really adds the expense.

Yes Laquers do chip and scratch easier by a ways. They are a great paint for show queens but not a great paint for real world applicable used hard stuff. Thats why you will see lots of stuff Like House of Kolor used on show cars and Bikes..

I know of Stans and they are good people. And nothing wrong at all with what you are doing. Makes for a great way to learn Normally miss mixed means when the person there is mixing they either added the wrong part or to much or to little of the correct part and it didnt match the color that their customer wanted. when you come in and show a paint chip sample or a paint code or even get the color from the color match gun they have to make the paint from many other paints and materials and this is the mixing.. they do this to come up with the color and type of paint you need. I get the paint code look up the formula and then I mix that formula from the 8 to 15 or so different componets that make up your need and color. I do this myself at my work. So far have yet to make a bad one.. knocks on wood.. But probaly nothing actually wrong with it. Also I can make Touch up paints with a brush and small bottle, I do sizes of paints from pint quart and gallons, Also I have the abbillity to mix the paint and then even put it into a spray can custom just for you.. So many many cool things. We have one of the larger paint products and mixing banks in the area.