From: Jim Cook <J.Cook@ENS.Prime.COM>
Subject: Re: Black Baron Epoxy Paint Questions
Reply-To: <J.Cook@ENS.Prime.COM>
Organization: Prime Computer, Inc.
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 21:52:51 GMT

In article <1992Oct13.184812.4342@mlb.semi.harris.com>
mwp@ms9.mis.semi.harris.com (Mark W. Poole) writes:
>I'm finishing my Goldberg Cub with the Coverite Black Baron Epoxy paint
>over Coverite material, and plan to put two coats of clear over the 
>color coats.  A few questions:
>
>1) Can I put the clear coat OVER the decals and pinstriping to seal 
>it all, or should I save the decals and pinstriping for last?? 

When dealing with Krylon (which is a lacquerized enamel, not
an epoxy like Black Baron), there has been a problem with the clear either
"drawing away" or beading up on decals.  The cure was either very light coats
of the Krylon clear (works sometimes) or an airbrushed coat of Microscale 
Gloss coat over the decals only.

I haven't used the Black Baron clear (yet), but I have used their primer and
color coats - they seem fairly kind (inert) to these materials.  My advice
would be to test on a spare piece of material on some surface you don't
care about.  Let us know how it works.


>2) The instructions say "...dries in 7 days in ideal conditions, and 
>if unsure, wait 30 days".  I didn't know this when I bought the stuff, 
>or I may not have done it.  Does it REALLY take that long?????  Should 
>I plan to NOT work on it for a WEEK after I paint it??

Krylon definately can take a week to a month to dry.  Heck, you can still
smell the fumes if you hold it up to your nose a few months later.

Black Baron is better in this respect - it's what attracted me in the first
place.  My experience is that you can handle it gently in 18 hours or less.
However, it is still slightly soft, so don't rest it on the painted surface
or it will be marred.  Each additional 24 hours makes a difference for the
first week.  It is probably dry after the week, but you can probably smell
something if you hold it to your nose for up to 30 days.

Again, my experience is with the color paint - I hope the clear is similar.


>3) The can also states '..apply additional coats withing 5-10 
>minutes...do not apply wet coats.'.  What can this possibly mean?  If it 
>takes 7 days to dry, how can I apply a second coat within 5-10 minutes 
>and it not be wet?

I read this and didn't understand it either.  Generally the rule is to apply
a coat of paint within an hour.  If you wait past an hour, you have to wait
a day for another coat or you may have problems with the coats of paint
separating later or some other bad thing.  Personally, I haven't tried pushing
this rule.

The thing about "wet coats" are whether to paint a "mist coat" or a "wet
coat".  Usually, one paints a few mist coats and waits a few minutes to let
them dry and get a hold, then paint a thick "wet coat" as the final smooth
coat.

My experience with Black Baron was that these rules worked.  However, be 
warned that Black Baron is a bit heavier paint.  I guess this is the basis
for the warnings to avoid the corresponding increased chance of runs and
drips in the paint. 

My only warning is to ventilate well.  Black Baron doesn't smell as bad, so
you tend not to worry as much, but I was able to get the skin on my forearms
tingling when painting a large rocket (4 feet x 4 in. diameter).  This isn't
good as you can become sensitized to epoxy.  I would wear a respirator next
time.

Jim