First build Explorer EXM-1

[Alexej]

Nice little spray booth you made there.

Looking good too me. It’s easy to be over-critical of your own work, but I’m sure it will be just fine.

You are right. But you know there is this feeling, maybe I should have spent a bit more time on this and that, a bit more patience, it's hard

[Alexej]

Thank you all for your appreciation!

The inspiration I took from the different diaries on the forum was really helpful to proceed in my work!

Now I am looking to seal the surface with a mat clear varnish...but could be difficult to keep it mat, have to try it out...

[Simon Barden]

You don't need to put a clear coat on at all. I'd put more coats of the black on. I'd only spray matt clear on say the headstock if you are putting a decal on it, which needs clear coats to protect it. Otherwise it's much easier to keep the finish you want just using the black paint.

[Alexej]

You don't need to put a clear coat on at all. I'd put more coats of the black on. I'd only spray matt clear on say the headstock if you are putting a decal on it, which needs clear coats to protect it. Otherwise it's much easier to keep the finish you want just using the black paint.

Yeah, it was some back and forth thinking. Honestly I also tend to stay with the black only. Clear coats are sometimes unpredictable, I think...

[Simon Barden]

Also paint layers cover up any imperfections or dust in the layer beneath, but with clear coats, any trapped dust or dirt or marks stay visible. It’s worse with light colours, but to do clear over paint well, you do need very good dust-free conditions for spraying.

[Alexej]

Good point! Especially in cellar conditions...

How many coats would you recommend? I have two coats of primer and about two of black now...

[Simon Barden]

I think I’d use six coats of black in total. Six coats is what Phrozin would normally suggest.

[Alexej]

Cool. Will head for some more black cans.

[Alexej]

Added two more coats of black...
Now it becomes the way I wanted it

Especially the last coat, which is about the fifth coat, added an evenly surface...
This time I reduced the spraying distance...and I think this had a positive effect...

Before that I sprayed at about 25-30cm...now I got closer, at about 20cm and less, and this brought of course more colorsubstance to the surface and gave it the evenness, which after the 4th, still uneven, coat I didnt expect to appear...

I think about giving he 6th coat for more evenly surface protection, but am afraid of making a mistake and distroying the whole thing So now it is quiet perfect and maybe I should stop...

[Sonic Mountain]

Looks great and yeah, quitting while you are ahead can often be the best idea.