using klear.

[galaxysi]

i have just bought a bottle of johnsons klear as i hear its the best stuff for varnishing models with.couple of questions regarding this,i gather it dries to a gloss finish but how many coats are needed before the decals can be applied?.also is it fast drying,how long do you have to leave it between coats.finally if i want a matt finish is it better to spray a coat of say, revell flat varnish over the top or is there a way of making klear dry matt.
thanks for any info ,i appreciate it.

[cammophile]

Hi Galaxysi

you seem pretty much to have it sussed.

depending on the initial surface 1-2 coats satin 2-3 coats gloss 3 is usually really good for decals

between coats i would leave 30-45mins minimum pref longer but i usually don't and seems to be fine.
give it 24-48 hours preferably the latter before using decals with setting solutions, but you should be okay with 24 hours. as usual with these things the longer the better to allow a full curing and hardening of the varnish.

better to be a bit conservative with these things if poss.

if you want a matt finish you do indeed need a flat varnish. as far as i know Klear cannot be made to dry matt

hope that helps

[Seamus]

Just to add to what Paul has said, I'd recommend applying it in nice thin coats. I use a fairly wide, flat brush and build the Klear coat up in 3 coats prior to decalling. Applying the Klear too 'wet' will cause it to fill in the panel lines and set in them, which will make it harder to highlight them later on with a panel wash. Also, I rub down each coat of Klear with some micromesh- start with 4000 and then 8000. This smooths the coat out and also adds a little to the shine. Then, once the decals are on, a final thin coat to seal things in. I'd then spray a matt coat after (optionally) weathering the model.

HTH

Shaun

[galaxysi]

thanks for the replies.it really helps me out.

[Takamota]

Klear can indeed be made to dry matt by adding Tamiya flat base to it in varying amounts depending on how matt you would like it to be.