Kicks Korner #21 The Finale
Dear Kicks
Hi, I have a question about water based paints:
I want to paint some artwork on my Sea-doo (personal wa-
I’m living in France and here since January the professionals
tercraft) and I’m wondering if there are special clears that
must use water based paint, I’ve got a little bit of urethanes
are for use in the water? I enjoy the magazine gentlemen,
left, but for the future I must buy these.
keep up the good work.
Can you use fine-line tape on water based, and paint more
K.D.
layers of different colors without clear-coating for every
color? Somebody who had painted a bike told me this, but I
Hi K.D., as long as the surface is prepped properly,... any of
find this method crazy!!!!
the automotive clear coats will work quite well. Proper cleaning
Thank you,
and sanding is the key to success, and although probably not
Florent K.
necessary, I would add a bit of flex agent to the clear as well. It
certainly won’t hurt, and some of the fairings and parts on these
Hello Florent,... thanks for writing. The major paint companies
water craft are pretty flexible. You never know when you could
like PPG, Dupont, and Sikkens have been working on their wa-
bounce off a dock, buoy,... or even flex it pulling it up on the
ter based paints for years now knowing that the new laws were
trailer. Better safe then sorry! Send a picture into the readers
on the way and that to compete on the world markets they would
gallery when she’s done, and thanks for the letter.
have to come up with a product that was not only good for the
environment,... but a product that was easy to use and would
stand up to the rigours of everyday use. You are going to find
Well,... I’ve enjoyed writing this column, but there just aren’t
that they are very similar to the urethanes that you are using
enough letters to keep it going. When I started painting I found a
now. Fine-line tape will work the same on it, and most products
lot of information in the magazines that were around at the time,
can be taped after a 20 minute flash-off time at 75 degrees F. (24
not only in the how-to section, but the letter section as well. It
C). You can shorten this time by increasing the temperature, es-
was basically the only place that you could ask a question and
pecially in combination with some air flow. On a small job like a
get a response from someone who knew what they were talk-
motorcycle tank,... a hand held blow drier would work just fine.
ing about. Fortunately for everyone,... it’s much easier these
As for layering colours,... this should be the same as well. Most
days. When a person has a paint problem or needs to know a
of the companies suggest keeping within the 24 hour window for
technique,... they don’t want to have to wait 6 to 8 weeks for
this, but they recommend the same for their urethanes and I’ve
an answer, and with the excellent airbrush and custom websites
never had a problem. To be on the safe side you could use a coat
and forums that are available these days,... a person can have an
of intercoat clear, and then give it a light sand before resuming
answer in minutes, not weeks. I do want to thank Don for put-
painting, but it is definitely not necessary after each colour.
ting out a quality magazine, and for allowing me to be a part of
Although waterborne basecoats are water-based and emit fewer
it to give a little bit of the knowledge I’ve gained back. Hope-
solvents than a traditional solvent borne basecoat, they still con-
fully I’ve helped a few people along the way. I still hope to sub-
tain dangerous chemicals that can be harmful if proper personal
mit how-tos for this or the online magazine,... and I will still
protection is not used when spraying or handling. I suggest treat-
be a regular on the Airbrush Technique Forum where I would
ing waterborne basecoat with the same respect as you would
gladly answer your questions,... or feel free to still write me at
solvent borne basecoat. Refer to the MSDS for whichever brand
Kickskorner@sympatico.ca .
you decide to use.
The one thought that I will leave you with,... is don’t be afraid
A couple of other things to remember, are that on humid days
to experiment and try new things, it’s what custom painting is
it’s going to take the base longer to flash off, and you must keep
all about. All these techniques that you’ve seen, originated with
the paint stored above 32F degrees or it will turn to very expen-
someone pushing the envelope just a little farther then everyone
sive Jell-O.
else, and not being afraid to fail. This isn’t brain surgery,... no
The two brands that I have tried, both sprayed like urethanes and
one dies,... it’s just paint. Show us what you can do!!
in fact provided faster coverage and the metallics were easier to
“Originality is the thing that unoriginal minds cannot feel the
blend without any mottling. All in all I think that if you go into
use of.” John Stuart Mill
this with an open mind, you shouldn’t have much of a problem
converting and in the long run you may be leaving the earth a Adios!!
little less polluted for our kids. Good Luck, and thanks again for
the letter.
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