Paint Problems

[jpringle819]

I seem to be having some problems with Halfords lacquer, I have finally managed to get an almost flawless finish on the base coat using my airbrush. This is normally done using Zero paints and three or four dust coats and one or two wet coats.




When clearcoating I am finding that the paint is being washed away normally I can live with this but on this particular model it stands out too much. It has even washed away the primer as the red you can see is bare plastic.



Does anyone know what I am doing wrong? Is Halfords lacquer not compatible with Zero paints? Does anyone have any experience of the Zero (2 Pack) 2k Clearcoat, I am currently painting in the garage and get complaints from the family about the smell aleady.

Thanks
James

[dr_gn]

According to the FAQ's on the Zero website, Halfords lacquer is compatible.

I'd say the base coat isn't fully cured.

[Red Firecracker]

You can clear Zero basecoats after about 10 minutes, not a problem at all. It looks to me like you're being a bit heavy with the lacquer, which is very easy to do with a rattle can.

I think to get the results you want, you'll be stripping the paint off that body and starting again. However, this time I'd recommend getting the Zero 1k clear coat, it's very very good. Couple of light dusts and then a wet coat, the added benefit being that as you're airbrushing it on it's not as heavy as the rattle can coats.

You don't want to be using the 2k Zero clear without proper extraction and PPE. Also, as you're painting in the garage, you need to make sure that you're not in any draughts.

[Nick_F]

Did they make any GTOs in that colour?

[dr_gn]

jpringle819 said:

I seem to be having some problems with Halfords lacquer, I have finally managed to get an almost flawless finish on the base coat using my airbrush. This is normally done using Zero paints and three or four dust coats and one or two wet coats.

Did you use a primer and prepare the surface with wet & dry as per the instructions?

[jpringle819]

Nick_F said:

Did they make any GTOs in that colour?

They officially only came in Rosso Corsa with a black interior. However I already have a number of red Ferraris and fancied a change.

[jpringle819]

Red Firecracker said:

It looks to me like you're being a bit heavy with the lacquer, which is very easy to do with a rattle can.

This was probably the cause as the can was almost empty and either spraying loads or nothing. Should have just made the trip to Halfords and bought a new one. I don't think I am going to bother repainting, the red is more noticeable on the pictures than it really is.

[dr_gn]

Just a purely personal opinion: it looks like a metallic colour? To my eyes they never look good on models because the flake size is more or less the same whether it's a model or the real thing. On models it can make the paint look patchy or rough even though it isn't.

[Red Firecracker]

The Zero paints are scaled not only for colour but also flake, so the flakes are much much smaller and look correct.

[dr_gn]

Red Firecracker said:

The Zero paints are scaled not only for colour but also flake, so the flakes are much much smaller and look correct.

Not sure about that: if that is a metallic on the Ferrari, I can clearly see the flakes on the wings unless it's a major paint problem.

Edited by dr_gn on Friday 19th February 19:40

[Red Firecracker]

dr_gn said:

Not sure about that: if that is a metallic on the Ferrari, I can clearly see the flakes on the wings unless it's a major paint problem.

Edited by dr_gn on Friday 19th February 19:40

Being an extensive user of Zero paints and having compared rattle can to Zero of the same colour, I am sure. Okay, they're maybe not true scale flake that would please the inevitable rivet counters, but they are scaled from the 1:1 versions.

[dr_gn]

Red Firecracker said:

dr_gn said:

Not sure about that: if that is a metallic on the Ferrari, I can clearly see the flakes on the wings unless it's a major paint problem.

Edited by dr_gn on Friday 19th February 19:40

Being an extensive user of Zero paints and having compared rattle can to Zero of the same colour, I am sure. Okay, they're maybe not true scale flake that would please the inevitable rivet counters, but they are scaled from the 1:1 versions.

Yes, I realise they're slightly smaller flakes (I did say "more or less the same" flake size).

Also depends what scale you're painting. They'll look far worse on 1:43 than on 1:12, but still way too large to my eyes. Anyhow...personal preference, it was just an observation.

[jpringle819]

It is metallic and an actual Ferrari colour Blu Tour De France. The flakes are very small as the Zero paints are scaled for models. I think that the flash went off in a couple of pics and this has caused the flakes to show up.

[jpringle819]

It does look like I will be repainting as the gap is getting bigger, it is also happening in other places now.

[Red Firecracker]

In that case it sounds like you have a reaction taking place which points to something on the bodyshell before you painted it. Time for a bath in some brake fluid.

[dr_gn]

Did you prime it as per instructions?

[jpringle819]

dr_gn said:

Did you prime it as per instructions?

I used Halfords grey primer, I have found that if the Zero paints hit bare plastic it tends to etch the surface slightly. There doesn't seem to be any rough edges it looks like the primer and base coat are moving under the clear.

[dr_gn]

jpringle819 said:

dr_gn said:

Did you prime it as per instructions?

I used Halfords grey primer, I have found that if the Zero paints hit bare plastic it tends to etch the surface slightly. There doesn't seem to be any rough edges it looks like the primer and base coat are moving under the clear.

Ah well, try again, and better luck next time.