Polycrilic Carbon mat West Systems Fill

I DID A TEST BLOCK AND WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE POLYCRILIC /ARTS HOBBIES C/F MAT AND WEST SYSTEMS FILLER.
SEVERAL QUESTIONS.
1. DO YOU USE ONE OR TWO LAYERS OF C/F MAT? THIS WAS NOT TOTALLY CLEAR ON SOME OF THE ARTICLES.

2. IS IT ALWAYS NECESSARY TO CLAMP FOAM WINGS DOWN AFTER THE P/C IS
APPLIED WITH THE C/F MAT?

3. THE AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE I PURCHASED MY OMNI BASECOAT PAINT SAID
THAT THE CLEAR COAT HAS TO BE APPLIED WITHIN 3 HOURS OR IT WILL
WRINKLE? I DONT KNOW IF I CAN MASK AND PAINT THAT FAST IF USING MORE THAN TWO COLORS . THIS HAS NEVER BEEN REAL CLEAR TO ME IN THE POSTS SO FAR. HOW LONG CAN I WAIT BEFORE THE CLEAR COAT GOES ON?
4. HAS ANYONE USED AN AIRBRUSH FOR TRIM COLORS IN SMALL AREAS?

5. IS IT BETTER TO USE C/F MAT OR MEDIUM SILKSPAN ON SOLID SURFACES?

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOU HELP IN THESE MATTERS. WALTER HICKS

>3. THE AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE I PURCHASED MY OMNI BASECOAT
>PAINT SAID
Walter,

I'll answer the ones I know---

>THAT THE CLEAR COAT HAS TO BE APPLIED WITHIN 3 HOURS OR IT
>WILL
>WRINKLE?

Hasn't for me. I shot my clear on the last plane about a week after completing the paint. I used Matrix 2:1 clearcoat.

>I DONT KNOW IF I CAN MASK AND PAINT THAT FAST IF
>USING MORE THAN TWO COLORS . THIS HAS NEVER BEEN REAL CLEAR
>TO ME IN THE POSTS SO FAR. HOW LONG CAN I WAIT BEFORE THE
>CLEAR COAT GOES ON?
>4. HAS ANYONE USED AN AIRBRUSH FOR TRIM COLORS IN SMALL
>AREAS?

Works great. Just make sure to reduce it enough to flow in the gun. maybe 100%-125%

I was concerned about the three hour time limit also--my paint supplier said the clear to base bond would suffer as the base got older. THis is a stone chip issue for a vehicle. I have seen no evidence of trouble after one season.

Like Randy, I spread the application out for over a week.

FWIW

Thank you very much for the replies gentlemen! Walter Hicks

>1. DO YOU USE ONE OR TWO LAYERS OF C/F MAT? THIS WAS NOT
>TOTALLY CLEAR ON SOME OF THE ARTICLES.

It depends. I use double layers only for special buildup ot hiding seams.

>2. IS IT ALWAYS NECESSARY TO CLAMP FOAM WINGS DOWN AFTER THE
>P/C IS
>APPLIED WITH THE C/F MAT?

No. Does not hurt anything though. It ensures that the wing will dry dead straight. It is what I do.

>3. THE AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE I PURCHASED MY OMNI BASECOAT
>PAINT SAID
>THAT THE CLEAR COAT HAS TO BE APPLIED WITHIN 3 HOURS OR IT
>WILL
>WRINKLE? I DONT KNOW IF I CAN MASK AND PAINT THAT FAST IF
>USING MORE THAN TWO COLORS . THIS HAS NEVER BEEN REAL CLEAR
>TO ME IN THE POSTS SO FAR. HOW LONG CAN I WAIT BEFORE THE
>CLEAR COAT GOES ON?

BS.

>4. HAS ANYONE USED AN AIRBRUSH FOR TRIM COLORS IN SMALL
>AREAS?

I like the detail HVLP better, but yes.

>5. IS IT BETTER TO USE C/F MAT OR MEDIUM SILKSPAN ON SOLID
>SURFACES?

I am going to say CF is better in all respects except ease of use.

>I am going to say CF is better in all respects except ease
>of use.

And cost!