Alclad metal paints

[simsuper80]

I find that after touching models that have been painted with alclad metal paints (in this case, aluminum) the paint will come off over time, even if it has been plenty of time since it was painted. I tested this by rubbing my finger on the model and a bit of the paint came off.

Does this stuff require a clear coat to seel it? I thought clear coats ruined the finnish

[kiwi_al]

I ruined the custom paint job on one of my N scale buses by applying clear over alclad stainless steel. I now see that alclad have their own clear formula so I'm wondering if that will be safe. I also did a E6 and FM Erie built with their paint and haven't observed paint coming off. Did you shoot the alclad over gloss black? (at least for the stainless steel)

[simsuper80]

I did shoot it over black. It just seems to deteriorate after touching it for a while

[peteski]

I use them in my other hobby (automobile scale kits). Alclad II metallic paints are fragile, and aren't designed to be handled.  Unfortunately spraying a clear coat over them (to protect the metallic surface) will make them dull looking.  Some people have success with using some water-based acrylic clears, but it is the best to test how it works using some disposable item (like plastic spoon).

Here is some related info:
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/112208-clear-over-alclad/
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/65252-how-do-you-protect-alclad-chrome-finish/
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/33871-what-is-a-good-method-to-seal-alclad/

[simsuper80]

I use them in my other hobby (automobile scale kits). Alclad II metallic paints are fragile, and aren't designed to be handled.  Unfortunately spraying a clear coat over them (to protect the metallic surface) will make them dull looking.  Some people have success with using some water-based acrylic clears, but it is the best to test how it works using some disposable item (like plastic spoon).

Here is some related info:
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/112208-clear-over-alclad/
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/65252-how-do-you-protect-alclad-chrome-finish/
http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/33871-what-is-a-good-method-to-seal-alclad/

So I take it that this paint is not ment for model railroading since model trains are handled a lot more than a model aircraft for example.

[sd45elect2000]

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Model aircraft get handled quite a bit during construction. After I apply the Alclad I use an acrylic floor polish to protect the metal finish. I use the same method on railroad cars. You could put a flat finish on the car after the acrylic hardens.

[peteski]

By "acrylic floor polish" (it is actually "floor finish" or "gloss" since "polish" does not have any thickness) Randy means "Future Floor finish".  Because it is for making floors shiny, most people automatically call it "polish", but it is actually water-based acrylic clear.

For decades it was known as "Future" (and that the name on the bottle of the stuff I bought 20 years ago and still have some left).  But over the last few years, it went through multiple name change.  Some helpful info is in http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/166890-future/

The last I've heard, it was discontinued, but I have not verified that info.