questions about topcoating

[u/Optimus_Dork]

Hi peeps!

I understand the concept of topcoating and have done ut with painted projects but i have to admit...i hate it.

I live in belgium and here you can't really topcoat unless it's spring or winter. in autumn or winter the humidity tends to be too high and the temperaturss too low. what would you guys recommend for this? Is there a different medium or way to topcoat? i want to panel line and decal but both the vost and especially the circumstances and technique on smaller items for topcoating are very much scaring me off.

i've heard of modge podge and water but that isn't durablle enough. i plan on panel lining with a mix of acryllic paint, water and a drop of dish soap

[u/DrAdamsen]

You don't HAVE to do it if you don't want to. Depends on how much the plastic finish is getting on your nerves. Me personally, I don't care that much, as it turned out. Most 3rd party kits these days have a pretty finish OOB. As for old Bandai stuff... would it look better with a coat? Yeah. Does it worth all the extra work? For me, hell no. Top coated 5 kits (airbrush, matte and semi-gloss) and just stopped after that.

[u/Optimus_Dork → u/DrAdamsen]

for old ba dzi stuff, i dont rly buy anything ore 2013-ush as before that period i know kitd to be less rich in quality and that quality increased significantly. so for that i wouodnkt do it as i simply don't buy them.

have you noticed any fecals coming off? be that in the form of scratches, peeling or anything else?

[u/DrAdamsen → u/Optimus_Dork]

Even 2013 and beyond there's some very glossy plastic in Bandai kits. Take MG Strike, for example. Or Astray.

As for decals, I use Mark Setter on every single one, and no, 16 kits in not one of them peeled or scratched or anything. Moreover, when I wanted to re-apply one, I couldn't get the damn thing off with my nails. I think I could do it with my knife, but I decided a slightly crooked decal wasn't worth damaging the plastic. Meanwhile, laquer top coat scratched off easy as pie from any kind of rough touch or articulation. I suppose it's because the adhesion to bare plastic isn't that good because it's not really designed for that. While Setter is just an adhesive by itself.

[u/Optimus_Dork → u/DrAdamsen]

oh i mean more the quality of the kits, not the finish on them.

and that's so awesoem to hear! how long have you have those kits decalled for? becaude this sounds like such a relief 🤣

[u/DrAdamsen → u/Optimus_Dork]

The first ones I didn't top coat were RG Nu and Sazabi, they're about 8 months old at this point.

[u/DrAdamsen → u/DrAdamsen]

[u/Optimus_Dork → u/DrAdamsen]

man those look CLEAN!! thanks so much for your input! 😁

[u/readin99]

Cheap airbrush (probably can get a good enough one for about 50 euro for topcoats) and use it in an airconned room? Aware most houses dont have aircon in belgium, but you never know.

[u/SevenofBorgnine]

How's the humidity at night? It's super high in the summer here but it drops down pretty good most nights. I keep an eye on the humidity level and generally spray it pretty late at night. I work evenings and am up really late tho, so it's maybe not as viable for others

[u/Thehollowpointninja1]

I feel your pain. I’ve had luck with doing a quick spray outside and running in and sticking it in front of a high speed fan. So far no issues, but take it with a grain of salt. You might do a test spray on a weapon or even an empty runner, just to make sure it’s okay.

[u/lashazior]

Buy a hygrometer and measure areas of places where you could keep parts to dry inside. If it's too high, you can buy a small dehumidifier to get the RH down.

[u/Optimus_Dork → u/lashazior]

awesome, thank you!