dbarrym

My Feedback: (47)

I just cleared a drop tank for my F-18 using PPG 2060 Flexed n' Flat...and about croaked when it did not 'flash off' quickly and had a high gloss.

Twelve hours later it is no longer tacky but still has a low gloss finish. [] This is the first time I've used 2060 and I mixed according to the ratios on the can...6 parts 2060, 1 part DX-61 hardener, one part reducer (DT860 - it's in the low 60 degree range here).

I expected it to go flat or matte after cure but no luck. I mixed the can well and all the materials are fresh.

Anyone have experience with this stuff? I am tempted to thin it out like a normal clear (i.e reduce by 100%+) and respray, but I won't bother if the sheen remains the same.

Comments???

barry

RENO

My Feedback: (17)

Hey Barry,

Painted the final clear coat on my Sabre with Flexand Flat as directions indicated, no problems.
Were the mixed components from a fresh can, or from a previously opened container that sat a few months?

Skeet

dbarrym

My Feedback: (47)

Yo Skeet -

It was a brand new can of 2060 and DCX-61. How much did you reduce it?

I have been told that you have to apply very light coats and thin more than I had been told...it's cured now but has a semi-gloss sheen (it's the drop tank in the photo). The finish over the decal cured flat but over the base coat (K36 primer) is semi-glossy.

I'll respray it after Tucson Jets.

Barry

CraigG

My Feedback: (40)

Barry,

I recently used the Flex N Flat on my Rafale and not only had trouble with the gloss but with inconsistent gloss on different parts of the airplane. The issue, I believe is inconsistent application of the product...the thicker it is the more glossy it ends up. I don't have the eqipment or skill to do it properly but there is another soulution. Lay on the Flex N Flat (or just plain clear), and after it hardens go over it with "0000" steel wool. This gets you to a very dead flat finish. Next, start hand rubbing with a "medium cut" rubbing compound. It actually takes very little effort to get a low gloss and you can control the amount of gloss by how much you rub. An added benefit to this method is that it removes the inevitable "trash" in your finish and can even remove minor runs in the clear. On my Rafale, I left the radar nose cone dead flat and brought the rest of the airplane up to a low gloss.

It worked for me............Craig

DavidR

My Feedback: (1)

Barry,

I have used the 2060 extensively, I have not had any problems with it and have varied the amount of sheen from application to application by adding 2021 to it. I have always reduced my clears by at a minimum 200% in other words 1 oz of mixed clear to 2 oz of DT 885 reducer (reducer depends upon the ambient temperature you are shooting) I have found that for MY applications I like the different panels, and spots on the airplane to have different degrees of sheen so I typically will add more 2021 sometimes and/or leave it dead flat (straight 2060) If you have seen any pictures of my Phantom or Kingcat both were painted with 2060, the Phantom straight 2060 for the first application and different small amounts of 2060 for any repairs or touch up. The Kingcat was painted with less than 10% by volume of 2021 added to the 2060 before catalyst was added (I also use DX 61) and then thinned again in the same manner as above. I have had the DX 61 straight out of a fresh can to be bad so either you have too thick a coat or the catalyst was questionable.

John Redman

My Feedback: (8)

Barry,

I reduce the 2060 by at least 150% and sometimes as much as 200%. I then spray mist coats about 20 minutes apart at a minimum of 65 psi and from at least 12 - 14 inches away from the surface with fast strokes. This will leave very, very small dots of clear that go flat right away and it comes out very, very smooth. It takes around 4 - 5 coats and the wieght gain is almost non existent.

If you lay it on like a regular clear coat it will come out shinney every time.

I think my paint instructions are on Todd Whitkoff's website. It explains how I shoot the 2060 clear. www.dreamworksrc.com

My bad, I just went to the website and thought I had explained how to use the 2060. Seems I mentioned the use of it but didn't explain the process. Time to update the document. Shoot it as described above and you will be fine.

sandslx

My Feedback: (1)

Barry
I did not like the 2060. I have success with it only doing small parts with an Iwata C airbrush. Just dusting on a couple of coats seemed to be a nice and flat finish. It has way too much orange peel effect for my taste over larger surfaces.

Justin

dbarrym

My Feedback: (47)

All great info, thanks Craig, David and John (and Justin, whenever we finally get to read your post!). I suspect I laid it on too heavy (more like using Speedclear) and did not thin enough. I'll scuff and polish the tank and work on my technique before spraying the rest of the model.

Barry

dbarrym

My Feedback: (47)

Thanks guys, I used some 0000 steel wool and got the tank to match the rest of the (un-cleared) flat finish on my Hornet. I'll experiment a bit with spray patterns and air pressure before using 2060 on anything big (like my F-5!).

Barry

SDCrashmaster

On my landing gear details, I have tried using the Flex-n-flat according to the PPG data sheet...which calls for adding a small amount of 2021.
The end result was...well...where's the Flex n' Flat?

I'll try Johns' method next time. The showcar-like glossy white finish ain't cuttin' it.

Good topic Barry. Hornet's lookin' good.

Paul

DavidR

My Feedback: (1)

Paul,

How much 2021 did you add, and how heavy did you spray it?

SDCrashmaster

1:10 by volume, and probably sprayed it too heavy. I'll be misting in the future, and probably not adding any 2021.

From PPG Product Information Bulletin P-217:
Flat (0-5% gloss)
6 Parts 2060 : 1 Part Reducer : 1 Part DCX 9 or 61 @45-50 PSI (at the gun)

Now from what I am reading from everyone above who's had success, it should be more like 6:6:1?


Mo reducer. Mo pressure. Mo patience.

Thanks y'all,

Paul

DavidR

My Feedback: (1)

More like 6:12:1 I always mix the clear and catalyst first then add reducer.

SDCrashmaster

Thanks David,
I'll give that a shot next time.

luckyb001

My Feedback: (8)

try less reducer 6-1-1/2 Mike