401 Suburban Resto

[Racinbob 12,645]

25 minutes ago, squonk said:

Spray clear over the wet red and you can handle it in an hour.

 

22 minutes ago, Achto said:

But then how long does it take for the red to dry under the clear???

 

Some of the smaller parts on Dino were Rusty spray bombed. That was the first time I did it Mikes way with the clear. I was amazed at the difference. Don't wait for the final coat of red to dry. Immediately after doing the final grab the clear and hit it. It dries fast and the finish looks deeper. As he just said as I was typing this I think it mixes with the red and everything dries faster.  The finish even feels better.

[WHX?? 54,483]

7 hours ago, Racinbob said:

grab the clear and hit it.

That's what Madge @AMC RULES does & he's the rattle can queenie. They look good in pics but how's the scratch resistance? 

Every time I picked up the dammed clear I got bubbling and start over. 

Edited yesterday at 01:26 AM by WHX??

[WHX?? 54,483]

7 hours ago, Achto said:

My last 3qts of their acrylic enamel.

Didn't you say you have to use their special reducer that was unobtainium? 

[wallfish 19,050]

13 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

That's what Madge @AMC RULES 

Speaking of Madge, where has Craig been? He doesn't post too much anymore.

[WHX?? 54,483]

1 hour ago, wallfish said:

He doesn't post too much anymore.

No he really doesn't ... think he's addicted that stupid FB now. Maybe we should round up a posse and go after him ... bring him back from the dark side. Used to be we couldn't get rid of him. 

 He started a page/group or whatever there called cool wheel horse pics.

I'm still ticked off at him he wouldn't part with those nice HLs he had on a pull start tractor with no battery at he BS. 

Edited yesterday at 02:43 AM by WHX??

[squonk 45,366]

10 hours ago, WHX?? said:

That's what Madge @AMC RULES does & he's the rattle can queenie. They look good in pics but how's the scratch resistance? 

Every time I picked up the dammed clear I got bubbling and start over. 

Never had that issue. I think the Rusty Cans pic up some negative vibes from you. Maybe be a little bit nicer too them! 

 

Next time you come to the show bring a couple of small parts to paint and some Rusty Regal and some clear. You paint one and I'll paint one. See what happens. 

 

Craig has a personal page with nothing on it. Here is the picture group:

 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1504576093451185

Edited 18 hours ago by squonk

[Racinbob 12,645]

10 hours ago, WHX?? said:

That's what Madge @AMC RULES does & he's the rattle can queenie. They look good in pics but how's the scratch resistance? 

Every time I picked up the dammed clear I got bubbling and start over. 

 

That was my problem with the clear. I try to forget the number of red finishes I destroyed trying to clear coat it per the manufacturers destructions. Ignore those and do it Mikes way. I'm sure the durability isn't up to using hardener but I can't help but believe it's better than without the clear. 

 

 

I with I would have had the courage to try it when I did my 400. It's being pampered sitting on display in a three season front porch on SR 331 so I guess it really doesn't matter now. 

 

[Achto 30,819]

10 hours ago, WHX?? said:

Didn't you say you have to use their special reducer that was unobtainium? 

 

Found a gallon of reducer and enough hardener in my double secret stash. Sometimes it pays to be a hoarder. 

[JCM 10,635]

On 2/8/2026 at 9:24 PM, SylvanLakeWH said:

Breathe deep the gathering red, watch lights fade from the work room's dread...

 

Moody Blues        

[WHX?? 54,483]

1 hour ago, JCM said:

Moody Blues        

Showing your age Plunge ... 

 

The only clear I had any luck with is this. Thought it would turn ugly like a car rim. 

I have a Onan screen to a  paint maybe I'll play with some clear. 

The thing with the paint that Dan uses it has a amazing gloss right out of the gun. 

The thing I notice with the Van acrylic is the first coat doesn't gloss but then hit it again and it just pops. Note the 30 Minute recoat on the can. 

I'm done with the RO in regal. Tired of tossing a half a can caused it plugged up. Not that I don't like the shade of red it produces but it just doesn't pop like other stuff. Apparently with out clear anyway. 

 

This is the stuff Dan uses except out of a gun. I really love it.  Unfortunately they quit making it in acrylic now just a strait enamel.

Edited 15 hours ago by WHX??

[WHX?? 54,483]

2 hours ago, Racinbob said:

red finishes

That looks really nice Bob is that regal rattle under clear? 

[Racinbob 12,645]

28 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

That looks really nice Bob is that regal rattle under clear? 

 

The Dino dash is clear over regal rattle, the 400 hood is just regal rattle. 

[WHX?? 54,483]

34 minutes ago, Racinbob said:

400 hood is just regal rattle

Really?? Sure does shine.  My regal usually has a flat duller finish. A nice red that's OK for a worker that's gonna get dinged up anyway. 

[Racinbob 12,645]

Yup. I did this Commando 20 years ago for my grandson. Regal rattle only. It's actually holding up pretty well and he's not easy on it. Most of the battle scars on it would have done the same thing to a real paint job. 

 

[ebinmaine 77,062]

On 2/8/2026 at 12:20 PM, Achto said:

 

 My 98 Saturn is ...chick magnet. 

 

I edited that for ya 

[ebinmaine 77,062]

21 hours ago, squonk said:

I'm not entirely sure, But I paint everything this way with no issues. I think the key is spraying the clear when the red is wet. I believe the clear has more drying agents in it and it just mixes into the color.

 

Paint something small this way on a worker and try it an see. I've painted wheels body panels and engines this way. 

 

 

I've been reading up on some scale modeling forums and articles of late. 

They seem so share this habit and have success.  

[Achto 30,819]

My wife's favorite part of restoration season is when I bring my painted parts in the house to cure for a week or maybe two. 

 

This year it was soon enough to say that I decorated for Valentine's Day. Just look at all the pretty red & white knickknack's that we have on display.  

 

[WHX?? 54,483]

1 hour ago, Achto said:

decorated for Valentine's Day.

So I says Dan we gonna paint on Saturday? ( I forgot it was V day) He says yep I had her move everything to Friday. WTF is he talking about? Oh he had her move her V day festivities to Friday so is he can paint! I say what festivities?? He obviously has not been married long enough. 

[wallfish 19,050]

1 hour ago, Achto said:

My wife's favorite part of restoration season

 

Apparently she (semi) stood her ground and kept some of her knickknacks there too because I see more parts that didn't make it to the drying table! 

 

[wallfish 19,050]

For all we know, she could have a couple of V8s being rebuilt in there and TOLD Dan he could have that little spot in the corner to play with his tractor stuff! LOL

[Achto 30,819]

8 minutes ago, wallfish said:

Apparently she (semi) stood her ground and kept some of her knickknacks

 

 That might explain this little guy.

[WHX?? 54,483]

21 minutes ago, wallfish said:

parts that didn't make it to the drying table! 

Bet they will on Sunday!

[wallfish 19,050]

4 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

Bet they will on Sunday!

IDK, that dragon looks pretty confident!