Non-Yellowing Clearcoat-In Search Of

[69NovaYenko]

I`m looking for suggestions and other options for a non-yellowing clear topcoat.

When cleaning out my childhood house after my parents passed I discovered a box in the garage with several models I had built in my early youth. Of course with an adult eye I realized they were true glue bombs..LOL. But, upon close inspection what struck me was how the old rattle can Testor`s clear coat had “YELLOWED” over the ensuing years. 

So, since I`ve returned to modeling as an adult I`ve been in search of a clear coat that would withstand the test of time and not yellow. So, I have used Future Floor acrylic on several occasions when I needed a glossy clear coat.

Presently, I’m doing a project with an all white interior. I wish to topcoat the interior with a semi-gloss clear.  As well there are other parts of the white interior I wish to clear topcoat with a flat clear. Of course my concern is the clear topcoat will yellow with the passing of time.

I have been considering the Alclad II clearcoat line up as my new go to clear coat:

ALC 600 Aqua Gloss Clear, ALC 311Klear Kote Light Sheen, ALC 312 Klear Kote Semi-Matte, ALC 313 Klear Kote Matte, ALC 314 Klear Kote Flat

           1) Is anyone familiar with the aging/yellowing properties of the Alclad II Klear Kote products?

      2) What causes the clear coats to yellow as they age?

[JTalmage]

Tamiya

[Ramfins59]

I've had good, long-time results using Duplicolor clearcoats...... You just can't spray them over enamels.

[aurfalien]

Hi,

While not nearly as experienced as well.... every one else here, I'd suggest Mr. Clear (Mr Color or Mr Hobby or Gunze, man they have many names for there fromage) or Tamiya.

I love em as you can buff em out.  Acrylics as I found, buff as good as a fresh steamy turd.

 

[Can-Con]

Just stay away from enamel clear. Laquers and acrylics are safe. 

,,,and as far as acrylics polishing out as good as fresh steamy turd??

 

I submit this fresh steamy turd cleared with acrylic and polished out.

Edited February 25, 2016 by Can-Con

[69NovaYenko]

Just stay away from enamel clear. Laquers and acrylics are safe. 

So the yellowing issue is an enamel issue...thanks for the insight.

Edited February 25, 2016 by 69NovaYenko

[slusher]

Enamel Testors is real bad to yellow. Testors lacquers i have had no problems with and over white..

[StevenGuthmiller]

So the yellowing issue is an enamel issue...thanks for the insight.

Yup, just stay away from the enamel.

In the past, I've had Testors enamel clear yellow almost immediately!

 

Steve

[Dave Ambrose]

I get good results from Testor's "Wet Look" Clear. It's a lacquer and lacks the yellow tinge of the enamel.

[aurfalien]

Just stay away from enamel clear. Laquers and acrylics are safe. 

,,,and as far as acrylics polishing out as good as fresh steamy turd??

 

I submit this fresh steamy turd cleared with acrylic and polished out.

Wow, nice turd

Seriously, to get that from acrylic is incredible.  Mine started out shiny and became dull upon polishing.  But then again not all acrylics are equal.  I used a spray can acrylic from Michaels, forgot the brand.

Plus I tried polishing Tamiya bottle paint acrylics once, same out come, dull.

What brand of acrylic are you using?

Edited February 25, 2016 by aurfalien

[Can-Con]

It's Tamiya bottle acrylics Brian. Gloss black and clearcoat. Thinned with cheap rubbing alcohol. There's 5 or 6 coats of clear on it, wet sanded with 6000 or 8000 grit between coats to bury the edges of the decals. Last couple coats probably didn't even need the wet sanding.

 

Maybe yours wasn't fully dry when you polished it. I generally let mine sit for a few days.

Edited February 25, 2016 by Can-Con