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Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: david beazley on January 12, 2013, 09:20:55 AM
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I'm getting real close to shooting clear on my Brodak P-51. It has silver Rand-O-Fil over silkspan, top coat Randolph Cadillac Red vinyl graphics. Question is what to use for a wipe down prior to shooting the clear? Is naphtha OK to use on butyrate to remove fingerprints, etc, or what do the experts use? ???
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I'm not one of the "Experts", but Windex works well for me. :)
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I would use an automotive grade cleaner that's designed for the last thing you would wipe the surface down with before applying the clear coat.
Surgical gloves should be worn from this point on.
Also, you could scuff your vinyl down with a fine pad lightly. I believe the fine pads are gray?
When I provide graphics for customers, that I know are going to clear them, if they allow it, I scuff the material up before cutting. The clear coat covers the scratches, but allows for the clear to adhear better. Just like clearing a canopy that has been fine sanded.
I never mix brands. Unfortunately, with an auto primer over dope, I'll have no choice. But I'm comfortable with that.
Hope this healps.
Charles
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Original formula Windex is the official prep cleaner of the Jive Combat Team. Be careful not to leave blue residue from sneaky drips that run around to the other side of the wing. I also use PPG DX 330 Acryli-Clean. It's automotive stuff like Charles mentioned. I had a problem with nitrile gloves leaving a residue that messed up the Isocyanate Death Paint. People here told me to get my gloves at the car paint store, which I did the next time.
H. Rush
Through-hole man trapped in a surface mount world.
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Just be careful. Some products like naphtha can take the paint right off. This is particularly true if you are using urethane colors. I've also run into problems with auto toners mixed with Randolph's clear. Stuff like AcryliClean can take the paint off. I've used denatured alcohol, Windex, soap and water and each has it's advantages and drawbacks. Suggest you test any product before putting it on the plane.
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I use plain old naphtha. It doesn't leave residue and I (so far) haven't had any issues with it attacking any paint, including some water base urethane, Auto Air Colors. Alcohol and Wyndex will attack water base products. Like Randy said, testing is really important. Also, make sure you grab the right bottle of "whatever" before you smear it on your wing! I accidentally grabbed some acetone once, didn't cause much trouble though, unlike a certain Impact pilot ;)
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Don't be mean, Mike. All of us have done dumb stuff. Even a certain Bellevue Bomber.
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Inhaleing that Naptha is pretty nasty I hear some folks say. Actully worse than some other stuff,,,, keep fresh air moving through.
John