Reducing Overspray, Gloss please

[holdenutechick]

clear coat can be a tricky thing I only just started to master it at tafe this week after working at it for 5 weeks.

One thing I have found applying clear coat is that good overhead lighting helps a lot in setting where you're paint is going and the spread I find it comes down a lot to temperature, air pressure and the paint consistency as the others have said it sounds like your fan setting isn't right and your air setting isn't right.

[rosco]

What I do find with clear coat is that it does not cure to as hard a finish as solids or the base coats of metallics or pearls...
It might just be me, but when I have worked a clear coat - it seems to cut through pretty easily - compared to a well cured solid.... I guess the pigment in colour adds to the hardiness.....

I suspect this has a lot to do with why it must be applied fairly thin - to prevent running- and is also probably why it demands a lot more "finesse" in applying each run to "wet" up the finish - without going too far and allowing gravity to take over....

I suspect this "wetness", and it generally being more viscous - is the cause of most "over-spray".
Tricky to do....and one of the acrylic steps which has to be mastered.... solids have and for ever will be - my preferred acrylic.... they are just too easy and forgiving....

frats,
Rosco

[Finny]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

5 Weeks is a lot of practice. and as much as technique is one issue, I also think it was a gun or setup issue.
Haven't done any more painting, so don't have a video yet.
Was aiming to have it ready for this weekend. but it appears that I am already fairly heavily booked out.

After letting it sit for a few weeks, I did try a bit of sanding/rubbing back, but it really hasn't come out that shiny.
If I can get the gun working well next time, I may put a few more clear coats over the silver.

[rosco]

Yes Finny, - blocking back and re-coating will probably bring it up much better.... just remember - make sure you "key" the previous coats - I'd probably go with 600 grit... many prefer 800.... I like to ensure there is a "mechanical" grip on what is underneath - as well as the "fusing" by thinners into the soft previous clear....

Too much clear, and you'll begin to "fog" it - it will look like has a foggy film in the clear coat.... three coats are probably sufficient - but I'd probably not go further than five...

frats,
Rosco