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Applying PS-31 Smoke window tint

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I'll shortly be applying some window tint to my XV01 Lancia shell but I've also prepped a rally interior. So, I want a bit of a tint but don't want to totally hide all my careful work on the rally cockpit.

When using the PS-31 spray, how many coats would you expect to need for a light tint?

Also, I'll take any tips on how best to apply the stuff generally.

Thanks.

 

 

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I have yet to manage the perfect tint job, however I have messed up on many occasions, so here are a few things to avoid:

Don't hold the shell with your fingers on the outside of the windows while you are spraying the tint on the inside, as the warmth from your fingers will make those areas dry quicker than the rest, and they will look odd for years to come.

Don't spray from too close, as the tints looks better if applied lightly and evenly from considerably further than you would spray an ordinary polycarbonate spray paint. I find at least 30cm, sometimes even 50cm gives a nice even dispersal.

Don't spray when it is too warm otherwise the spray dries to quickly and looks foggy. Don't spray when it is too cold either, as the spray then seems to dry too slowly, giving it a chance to absorb moisture from the atmosphere making it look foggy too.

Don't spray the tint until you are absolutely sure that the rest of your shell is opaque otherwise the areas around the windows will look darker than the rest of the shell.

Don't forget to prewarm the tint can otherwise it comes out sludgy and unevenly even if sprayed from a fair distance.

Don't leave the shell to dry upside down, otherwise dust and annoying small insects might land on the wet tint leaving marks. Don't leave it within reach of curious cats either, otherwise their fur might have a similar effect.

I am sure there are many other ways of messing up a tint job, however these are the ones that I have experienced personally.

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I can only concur with all of the above. It is equally difficult to use the TS version for hard plastics. I have never successfuly managed it. If you look at the new Escort shell it is possible but how I have no idea. The other option might be to get some window tint film and try that.

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Sound advice from @TurnipJF

I've tinted over 30 bodies and touch wood never had any problems(yet! 😐

I give the widow areas a wipe first with polycarbonate cleaner and let that dry then 2 possibly 3 very light coats. 

Plus I always mask off inside too stop any over spray, don't like the black shadow when looking through the windows especially on white bodies. 

 

16131385214471652562107220031198.jpg

In all honesty if I was going to fit a cockpit I wouldn't tint at all. 

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1 hour ago, svenb said:

In all honesty if I was going to fit a cockpit I wouldn't tint at all. 

That's a fair point. I'll test fit the cockpit without tint first.

Thanks to all for the great advice (esp @TurnipJF). It does seem like a bit of a high risk task. The rest of the body is looking pretty good too so it would be a shame to mess it up.

That said, nothing ventured and all that..... :)

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Super light coats then leave it & come back and repeat asmany times as needed, thats wgat I always do with Smoke. it looks tereible if u use too much in one spray amd get runs.

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I’ve learned that PS-31 coats best when:

Ambient temps are very warm

The can is stored in your pocket to warm it for at least 10 minutes

The can is frequently shaken

You do not touch the body as the heat from your hand will make it dry unevenly

The nozzle is clean 

Light, misty coats are applied

The windows are free of dust

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don't do too many coats because it will flake of in the future. you don't need that much, once the shell is on the chassis it will look darker.

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It took 4-5 coats of this paint (maybe a half coat for some spots) to achieve a light grey tone similar to the grey bumper you install on the chassis. I don't know how many you'd need for near black out levels but I didn't aim for that on mine. I can still see the components and colors of the chassis which I fine with me and some of the tint is a bit uneven but i can live with that as it look nice from a distance. oh and please dont mind that Suicune decided to photobomb the pic, forgot about the physics of lighting and reflection.

IMG_4272a.jpg

IMG_4273a.jpg

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Just did a test on a piece of spare clear plastic. Frankly scared myself.

The result was really cloudy.

The space sprayed in was perhaps a bit too cold (~10 degrees) but I think the issue is that I needed to apply more paint. Certainly more than I would when spraying colour onto the inside of a shell?

Basically, I didn't get enough coverage to 'join' all the droplets of paint together. When spraying colour I will build up very slowly not worrying too much about full coverage (I'll get it in the next coat). For tint, I guess I need to apply enough to get a full flooded coverage for each coat (without runs). Does that sound about right?

Cheers.

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the very first coat is best when it very thin and minimal to the point it looks like it does nothing, maybe 1mm dots of spray are just fine to see as the very first coat but try to keep them at minumum. the next coats are light to medium with about 8''-10'' distance between the spray and shell  though the temp of the can will matter. i simply sprayed mine indoors at 24C and it was easy enough though in my case as i didnt need to worry too much about the can temp. coats 2-4 can have a medium coverage as long as you dont build it up too much in certain areas of the windows  

if your first coat was cloudy but a fine mist effect then try 1-2 more layers on it. this was my first test piece ie 3 layers learning how to go for an even coat but i focused the spray a bit too much on the center at first. it does have a cloudy look. i wanted to get a darker tint on it than i did end up with but after 4-5 layers the change was minimal. i dont know many some people did for a near black out but they must have put in atleast 10 layers or more.

IMG_4274[1].jpg

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Agree with svenb: when using a cockpit, don't tint your windows. All your hard on the cockpit work will blurred. If in doubt check the body's created by Truck Norris here on TC.

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