Armor - to clear coat or not to clear coat

[ArckyKun]

Hey armorsmiths!

When painting your armor (3d printed in PLA), do you add a clear coat after painting and detailing or just have the painting and detailing as the final outer layer?

Thanks for any input!

 

[FalseShepherd]

I add a clear coat. I think a clear coat is important for water proofing and protecting your paint job. Not that I will be wearing it in the rain but if it gets wet I don't want to worry about my blackwash or anything. Just make sure it's matte clear coat. Accidently put some kind of not matte clear coat on one of my pieces and was very confused why it was so shiny all of a sudden.

 

[RamenN00dl3]

Two coats, different times. I'm clear coating over the base paint colors, then weathering with acrylics, then another top clear coat to seal that in.

 

[SgtSaint]

Just be sure to let the existing paint *FULLY* cure for a few days and test, test, test.
The last thing you want is to spend all that time on a killer paint job and have it react badly to the clear coat.
You won't be happy if your metallics get dull, silver becomes gray, or you get the dreaded 'wrinkle skin'.
Some people use plastic spoons to test on... I found these herb garden stakes at the dollar store to test on then label the back. (and put with the part to remind me where I left off)
But whatever technique you like, don't take shortcuts in the final steps: test and test again

 

[PlanetAlexander]

I agree with all of the above; in addition, clear coating gives your work an extra layer of protection as it is basically a layer of resin over the top. So that means less potential damage from dings!

 

[marinesniper]

totally agree with everyone i get rafts i have left from the prints and use them as a test for the paints and clear coats to make sure i dont get (THE PEEL) but yes paint seal then detail that way if you mess up you can wipe it off and get it right then seal one last time it will be a great look part of your armor

 

[N8TEBB]

i clear coat over the main paint job, then again over the weathering

 

[tahu505]

I do a gloss clear coat because it makes the armor shiny and kinda gives a metallic look to me. The acrylics for weathing still look like dirt under the clear coat. Just keep in mind that the type of clear coat will change the overall look, so pick one depending on what finish you're going for

 

[HydrationPatrol]

Adding a clear coat would certainly help it not scratch as easily. Personally I didn’t put a clear coat in my suit because I wanted my armor to look Matt and the clear coat gives it a bit of a shine. As a result my armor got pretty scratched up on day one of wearing it but for me at least I don’t mind the scratches.