Clear coat preference over carbon decals?

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dgwoodward2
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Clear coat preference over carbon decals?

Post by dgwoodward2 »

I wanted to ask everyone that if they use carbon decals for their F1 kits, do they have a preference of clear coat, I.e., flat, semi-gloss, or even gloss over them? Thanks so much.
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bossy122
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Re: Clear coat preference over carbon decals?

Post by bossy122 »

It kind of depends on the era of carbon. The early stuff had a rather flat finish where as what we see now has more of a glossy finish, so it's a case by case decision.

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Re: Clear coat preference over carbon decals?

Post by jaykay »

For all modern cars gloss 2K sanded even and then polished to the appropriate level.
For older male mold tubs it depends on reference material. But it will always be 2K.

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Re: Clear coat preference over carbon decals?

Post by willster127 »

I'm having this same debate with myself on my SF70H right now. I'm going with reference pictures and if the piece is deemed an aero part or not. Example being the lower surface of the floor is the smooth molded surface for aero, the upper surface is bagged so has a flatter texture. Wing and aero parts will always be molded so I'm thinking gloss on those, all others a mixture of semi and flat to break things up a little. I think gloss 2K everywhere is too much and not representative.

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Re: Clear coat preference over carbon decals?

Post by stubeck »

It depends also on whether you are intending to put it in a contest or not. If you're intending to put it in a contest, I would give it a gloss coat as thats what people are expecting. Otherwise I tend to do what willster says. Look at reference photos but generally go for gloss for aero parts over not. Much of the time its a semi-gloss finish, but that also doesn't look great.
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PeteJ
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Re: Clear coat preference over carbon decals?

Post by PeteJ »

Willster knows the subject well as he works in the industry! My preference for the glossy bits is a little different. I like Tamiya Smoke. That little bit of black in the clear gives the decal some "depth".

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Re: Clear coat preference over carbon decals?

Post by Jordan2.0 »

jaykay wrote: Mon May 03, 2021 4:03 am For all modern cars gloss 2K sanded even and then polished to the appropriate level.
For older male mold tubs it depends on reference material. But it will always be 2K.
+1
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