Rob de Bie Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 I been using the five different Alclad 'Klear Kotes' (ALC-310 - ALC-314) for some time now. I like them, but I do notice one problem: these clear coats remain slightly sticky. I particularly note it on an 1/48 F-84F model that I built as a solid model, to be handled to add different stores to it, that have magnets installed. Every time I hold it, I feel the stickyness. The model was painted more than a year ago, so it should be fully cured by now! From at least two decades ago, I remember that Humbrol lacquer clears ('Gloss Cote' and 'Satin Cote') had the same problem. That makes me think that this might be an inherent problem of lacquer clears. There must be many more users of Alclad 'Klear Kotes'. Do you have the same problem? Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 I can't help on the question of the clear coatings but I must say I like the model with its unfussy finish and blue cockpit. It's not at all my own style but I find it very attractive. I also love the model on a stick idea - great fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Bertie Psmith said: I can't help on the question of the clear coatings but I must say I like the model with its unfussy finish and blue cockpit. It's not at all my own style but I find it very attractive. I also love the model on a stick idea - great fun! Thanks for your kind words! Building this 'play model' was a nice variation on building detailed models. I built it deliberately with minimal details, to make it clear that it could be handled, and avoid the impression it was a vulnerable scale model. I also filled the model with resin to give it weight. But still I find even other modellers to be reluctant to handle it. More here, but warning: there are 14 subpages! It's my most elaborate project so far. https://robdebie.home.xs4all.nl/models/f84f.htm Rob Edited June 15, 2022 by Rob de Bie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJP Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 Does the sticky surface attract and hold dust? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 41 minutes ago, Rob de Bie said: Rob So that's where the detailing went! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 16 minutes ago, RJP said: Does the sticky surface attract and hold dust? That is an excellent question! The answer is no I think, the model isn't a dust magnet. I had considered it could be the moisture of the fingers causing the stickyness, and your question reinforces that idea.. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 9 minutes ago, Bertie Psmith said: So that's where the detailing went! Guilty as charged 🙂 But the stores are the reason for doing this project. I'm researching the stores of the RNLAF F-84F, and wanted to use this model to interview former pilots. Covid-19 largely prevented that from happening, but I still have two pilots on my list. Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 1 minute ago, Rob de Bie said: Guilty as charged 🙂 But the stores are the reason for doing this project. I'm researching the stores of the RNLAF F-84F, and wanted to use this model to interview former pilots. Covid-19 largely prevented that from happening, but I still have two pilots on my list. Rob I would love to see an old pilot with that model in his hands. What joy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 3 minutes ago, Bertie Psmith said: I would love to see an old pilot with that model in his hands. What joy! Oh yes indeed! It feels special, definitely. They are from such a different era of military aviation. One example is that I could not understand why most photos of RNLAF Streaks showed no weapons, just fuel tanks. One answered that they did a lot of navigation missions - they had to learn the area they would be fighting in. Whereas I was thinking in terms of inertial navigation or GPS.. Rob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tojo72 Posted June 15, 2022 Share Posted June 15, 2022 I am a regular user of Alcad clears both the acrylic and lacquers but have not experienced that,I never really lay it on that heavy,just misting the coats on so that they never are that wet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob de Bie Posted June 15, 2022 Author Share Posted June 15, 2022 I received some other input. that made me remember the following: I think I once read that the moisture (sweat) from your hands is partially absorbed by acrylic paint, with the effect that the glass-rubber transition temperature (Tg for short) is lowered. Maybe it is lowered so much that it roughly equals body temperature, and that the paint becomes rubbery. AFAIK it's one of the problems that make acrylic paints unsuited to many applications. But I do not know what is the 'binder' chemical in Alclad clears is - anyone? Triggered by this idea, I did a bit more testing. If I touch the painted surface briefly, there is no stickyness. But the longer you hold the model, the stronger the stickyness becomes, up to a certain level of course. That behaviour matches the observations that it does not attract dirt, but does feel sticky when held for a bit. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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