Guide: Lacquers and 2K Clear Coats

Our solvent-based lacquer range is final stock, with no restock. This guide brings together the instructions for the lacquers, metal and chrome colours, 1K varnish and 2K clear coat still on sale. For new projects, see the Koloi Aqua guides.

Lacquer colours

1. Prime with a suitable primer and let it dry.
2. Shake the bottle well until the paint is fully mixed. The colours are pre-thinned and made for the airbrush only; use a brush just for small touch-ups.
3. Airbrush at 1.5–2 bar with a 0.2–0.4 mm nozzle, in thin layers. Never spray wet: it wastes paint and can create paint flakes. Paint does not hide imperfections in the plastic.
4. Work between 20 °C and 22 °C. Wait at least 5–10 minutes between layers; 20–30 minutes is recommended. Avoid cold or very humid rooms.
5. Thin only if needed, with Fire Scale Modeler thinner (FSC027). White spirit, acrylic thinner and cellulose thinner are not suitable.
6. Clean the airbrush with Fire Scale airbrush cleaner or acetone.

Metal colours

1. Wash the model and let it dry. Apply a black primer in thin coats and let it dry for about 10–15 minutes.
2. Apply a layer of 1K or 2K varnish over the black and let it harden completely: 24–72 hours at room temperature, longer in winter. The black base must be as reflective as possible.
3. Shake well and airbrush at 1.5 bar from about 20 cm, in several thin coats, with more air than paint so it does not build up.
4. Let it dry for 24 hours in a dry place.
5. Protect with Metal Color Clear Gloss mixed 100:20 with activator (e.g. 10 ml clear + 2 ml activator): 2 coats about 5 minutes apart, then 24 hours to dry. After that you can mask, apply other colours or decals.

Chrome "Pure Metal"

1. Apply a black base, then Black Gloss 2K (FSC738) following its label.
2. Let the 2K harden completely: 1–2 hours in an oven at 50 °C, or 24–72 hours in the air. Never apply chrome over a 2K base that is still soft.
3. Spray the chrome pure, without thinning, at 1.5–2 bar, in several very fine layers with more air than product.
4. Let it dry (20 minutes at 50 °C or 24 hours in the air), then wipe gently with a soft microfibre cloth.
5. Optional: protect with Varnish Chrome 2K (20% catalyst) in two thin coats. Any clear coat slightly reduces the mirror effect.

1K varnish

1. Wait 15–30 minutes after the colour, then apply a mist (tack) coat.
2. After 5–10 minutes apply more coats: at least 2, with 5–10 minutes between them. Air pressure: 1.5 bar.
3. At 20 °C: pre-dry 30–40 minutes, touch-dry 1 hour, hard 24 hours, fully dry and polishable after 48 hours.

1K is a light-protection varnish, recommended before decals. Over decals use only light mist coats: wet coats can melt a decal, and some decals react, so test on a spare first. For full protection use the 2K clear coat.

2K clear coat

1. Mix 2:1:1: 2 parts clear coat + 1 part activator + 1 part 2K thinner, in this order (clear, activator, mix, then thinner). Example for a 1:24 model: 5 ml clear + 2.5 ml activator + 3.5 ml thinner. Changing the ratio changes the result.
2. Airbrush at 1.5–2 bar with a 0.2–0.4 mm needle (spray gun: 0.6–1.4 mm at 2–3 bar).
3. Apply two coats, 3–5 minutes apart for light coats, 5–10 minutes for thicker ones; 10–15 minutes below 20 °C.
4. Dry: 24 hours at 20 °C, or 2 hours at 48 °C.
5. Clean with acetone or Airbrush Clean. Never use cellulose thinner or alcohol.

Over decals: apply one or two very light coats and let them dry for 24 hours. Wet-sand lightly with 2000–3000 grit, clean, then apply one or two fuller coats. The first dry layer protects the decal.

Our 2K clear coats are isocyanate-free PU varnishes, available in gloss, satin and matte.

Safety

These products are solvent-based and flammable. Harmful if inhaled and irritating to the eyes. Work in a well-ventilated area, wear a mask and suitable gloves, and keep away from heat, sparks and flames during painting and storage. No smoking. In case of contact with the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and consult a doctor. Keep out of reach of children. For use and sale to adults (18+) only.

Shipping

Lacquers, thinners, cleaners and 2K clear coats are flammable dangerous goods: road only within Europe, by sea to the islands (longer delivery), and they cannot be shipped outside Europe.

Shop: Lacquers · Clear coats and varnish · Thinners and cleaners