I will be posting an article on my Hangar 37 site very soon regarding some testing I did on this subject. I tested glassing with polyurethanes (waterbased & lacquer) as well as painting with latex (both with and without clearcoating). I'll give you a preview of the results of my latex testing...

Two test samples were painted with latex. Sample A was painted with interior satin, and Sample B was painted with exterior satin. I weathered them and let them sit for over 3 weeks.

I then painted Sample A (interior latex) with Nelson Hobbies clearcoat. I used 4 very light (misted) coats of a 50/50 mix of flat and gloss clear to get a satin finish.

I painted Sample B (exterior latex) with the same Nelson clear mixture, only I masked half of it off to leave the exterior latex exposed/uncleared on one half/side of it.

I then waited 3 or 4 days for the clear to cure.

Now I lightly rubbed each test with a gasoline soaked rag. No effect on the Nelson Clear coats of either subject. However the uncleared area of the exterior latex IMMEDIATELY softened and began rubbing off onto the rag.

Lastly, I poured a puddle of gas onto each sample over the Nelson clear area, and waited about 24-36 hours. There were no effects on the Nelson clear... rock hard and smooth... no discoloring.

My conclusion was this... I liked the way the interior latex went down better. I found the Nelson 50/50 mix (with about 40% water added to thin) to go down on the latex very well. The latex did NOT stand up to gas, even after 3 weeks, but the Nelson Clear was impervious to it.

My SBD will be painted with interior latex flat or satin, then clearcoated with a Nelson 50/50 gloss & flat clear mixture. I trust it enough now to risk it on my investment. I also found the latex and clear application to be extremely light and added VERY little weight to the samples. Keep your Nelson clearcoats thinned about 30 to 40% with water, about 25-30psi on your gun, and lay it down in 3-4 VERY light coats.

I will note that the application of the clear made the latex colors appear "slightly darker" as does the application of a clearcoat on virtually any painted surface.

Neo