Last weekend I clearcoated my new Phantom with the Flexed 'n' Flat clear that several people here have been talking about. WOW is this stuff nice to work with. I did not spray it as a dead flat clear but added a little DCU 2021 to it for an eggshell sheen. I think it will be a much more consistent clear coat for flat type finishes. The ratios I used were the following:

DCU 2060 (Flexed 'n' Flat) 10 parts
DCU 2021 1/2 part
DCX 61 1 part (I used ratio from the can)
DT 885 20 parts

I sprayed a light coat and let it tack up then shot the rest of it fairly heavy. Try this stuff you will really like it.


David Reid

Good stuff to work with isn't it. Glad to herre you have another Phantom coming together. I would just love to know where you find all the time mister.

John Redman
Team BVM, Jet Cat USA, & Shultze Chargers

John,

I don't sleep! The new Phantom will fly next week at Mississippi Afterburner. I still have a lot of detailing to do on it but I should finsih the radio, and plumbing tonight. A few details Tomorrow and engine installation Sunday.

David Reid

David, What gun do you use and at what pressure? I have had difficulty applying the clear from my HVLP gun. Seems to come out too thick and not flow. maybe I did not use enough reducer though.
How long did you wait for the 1st coat to tack up?

Jim G.
Michigan

Jim,

I spray with a Walcom STM HVLP gun. The trick is the amount of reducer to add. In this case I reduced it 150% the instructions said to reduce it 1 part, which is less than 10% not nearly enough. I have reduced 2021 by as much as 200-250% and it flows wonderfully. I sprayed the first light tack coat over the plane, then came back and started over again, so about 15-20 minutes I would guess.

DR

David:

I have found the same performance with both the Martin Senour clearcoat as well as Spies Hecker clearcoat -- i.e. they flow out better with more reducing. In fact it seems nearly impossible to get orange peel with this approach. Paint wizards, is this how all clearcoats behave?

ramtec2:

If I understand correctly what you are intimating with regard to David's airplane, that is not even slightly funny. Why would you contemplate intentionally crashing someone's hard work and also risk injuring people. I don't understand this type of attitude. If you are seeking attention, there are a heck of a lot of good people on this forum who would be happy to have you involved in their flying. Just ask nicely and respect their boundaries. If I misread your intentions I apologize.

Antony

-------------------

Antony,

While I am no paint wizard I started reducing my clearcoat to these percentages last fall. It is definetly the way to go. I guess with my original post I wanted to draw attention to the Flexed 'n' Flat clear. In the past I have used 2021 and added the flattening agent to it. This is messy at best and hard to duplicate the results between different batches. I also need to add that the ratios I listed above are by Volume not weight.

DR

Hi

I would just like to ask, if Spies Hecker Gloss Clear is as good as PPG 2021(and light?)? And, does it shine easily? Is it glow-fuel proof?

Thanks

RCaerosport:

I can't compare the two since I haven't used the PPG yet, but I can comment on the glow fuel resistance. Several years ago when I first tried the Spies Hecker system I painted a flight box as a test piece. One end of the box holds a glow fuel canister and pump. Needless to say raw fuel spills on this section frequently and sometimes doesn't get cleaned from under the fuel bottle until I change bottles. The paint has yet to chip, peal or wrinkle. That impressed me.

I like the high gloss look since I am not a scale guy, and the "shine" of the Spies Hecker clear is as good as any clearcoat I have seen or used.

Hope this is helpful.

Antony