metallic coatings, need top coat?

[corybarta]

I ordered some charcoal metallic from caswell and it says I need to top coat it with a clear top coat. I looked on the web site and cannot find a clear top coat to order, where is it and how do you use it. thanks

[11111111]

its right there in the powder color chart page i think we call it hdsf or something like that.

[tavo1765]

HFSD Clear , thats the name of it.

[corybarta]

thats what I kinda figured but wasn't real sure. Do you spray the metallic on and bake it then spray the clear on and bake it again? thanks guys

[tavo1765]

do a full cure on the chrome, then spray the clear

[corybarta]

so I prep my metal, coat it with the, lets charcoal metalic, cure it, take it out of the oven and spray on the clear and cure it again?

[tavo1765]

Blast the piece, sand with 220 grit wet sand paper to knock down the profile from blasting, metalics work by reflective and the smoother the surface the smoother the metalic coatings.

Rinse with water, air dry. Pre heat part in oven at 440f for 30mins to outgass the metal

Take out and allow to cool to touch and powder coat
Place in oven at 375f for 20mins, pull out wait 3 mins then coat with clear place back in oven and cure at 400 for 15 mins

[corybarta]

thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[11111111]

i cant get a good clear coat that retains the color if i follow these directions?

[jtagger19]

I would suggest to clear coat at 150 deg
wating 3 mins then clear you might coat at 200 or more easily wich will cause the powder to melt almost instantly and causing orange peel and all kind of weird things .

the best way is caswells Infrared Thermometer but if you can't aford it
go to a local hobby shop and buy an Infrared Temperature Gauge or gun
made by duratraxx or ofna , it will cost $20-$25 and it will save you a lot of head aches

[tavo1765]

You have to fully cure a metalic before adding a clear to it, otherwise it will darken or turn grey.

When adding clear top coat if using a hobby gun, get the piece up to a 200f temp by putting the piece in for about 10mins with a oven set and soaked at 400f

Allow the part to reach about 375 and cure for 40mins if you are doing wheels.

JT is right about the orange peel, but thats if you got a b.s oven.