Alclad 2 Candy - to prime or not to prime that is the question...

[Guest]

Hi all,


I'm about to paint the body of a truck using Alclad 2 candy, I have the bright silver candy base and then the electric blue candy enamel,


Some say you prime the plastic and some say you paint the plastic after washing it and making sure you dont get any finger prints on it.


Which is the correct way to do it? which will give the best finish?


Thanks,


Paul...

[Ian M]

When using alclad you will need to prime first as it is not a paint, but a lacquer, although the there are many that say any old primer, I beg to differ!


I would recommend the use of Alclad's own primer and also their gloss black base. If you use the black primer, you can get away with a fine coat of the black gloss. This is very much one of the things where many light coats is the way forward. Once you have a good gloss black base, the silver candy will be great.


More than other things the ground work is very important for a good result.


Ian M

[john i am]

http://alclad2.com/


I use alclad and always visit the site for reference

[Guest]

Hi I've now got the paint and both the bottles and the Alclad website say to spray the bright silver candy base directly onto bare plastic and to make sure there are no finger marks on the plastic because they will show through the finish.


What they don't say is weather or not I should rub everything down with a fine abrasive to leave a key for the paint to stick to, does anyone know? do I just give all the parts a guud wash to get rid of any releasing agents that might be there or do I sand it a little as well?


Thanks,


Paul...

[Ian M]

Well that surprised me! Sorry for misleading you.


So I would suggest a wipe over with IPA (rubbing alcohol), then avoid touching it. I often give things a scrub down with a softish flat brush dipped in IPA to make sure I get in all the nooks and crannies. Any surplus evaporate away quickly.


I would not key the surface as I am sure that would have a negative effect on the finish. (Against all the normal rules I know).


The best advice is to do a test on a scrap of plasticard and see which gives the best result.

[Guest]

Thanks for that, scrap plastic here I come lol...


Paul...