For those using clearcoat...
 

How long are you waiting to spray it after the color?

On my 1967 Corvette project, I used Tamiya lacquer for both the color and clear gloss. I waited a day or so between spraying the color and the clear.
Aside from dust issues, it came out excellent.

On my RSX, I've used Testors for the color (enamel). The Testors clear is actually a lacquer, it turns out, just like the Tamiya. I know that this can cause problems. I've waited 48 hours for the color to dry before I try the clear. Even then, I'm testing it on my spare hood before I do the new body.

For those who used the clearcoat, which did you use, and how long did you wait? Did the paint wrinkle or bubble when you sprayed the clear?

In my experience with testors spray enamels, it takes at least a week to fully dry properly, so I would be careful or it will alligator up on you.

a week?:eek:
why does it take so long?

umm, i spray regular car clear coat like an hour after im done painting the car with tamiya paints.

I dont think a week is neccessary.

With the Tamiya paints, which dry quickly, I wait about 10 minutes between color coats, and 10 minutes between color and clear coat, then 10 minutes between clear coats. You can usually handle the body 6-7 hours later.

dont use enamel paints, use acrylic

I would use only acrylic, except for one problem... The color I want is an enamel.

Anyway, I answered my own question this afternoon when I tried spraying the clear over top of the Testors enamel. 48 hours is sufficient, and I had no problems.

Testors spray paints are a enamel and with enamel paints they are slow drying and dry from the top down and the process is very slow. Laquer's are what they call "Hot" paints because they dry very fast (From the bottom up). So if you spray a laquer over an enamel that isn't fully dry you will get a "aligator" finish. It also depends on the conditions that you spray the enamel in also. I live near the water so it usually humid where I am and when that moister is present it slows the drying process even more, that's why I wait a week with it. Just to be safe.