I just have a quick question. When I apply the 2K gloss it turned to a steel color. Then when I applied more graphite powder and more 2K like a steel color what can I do to prevent this
I heard there are issues that pop up over time with clear coat over the graphite powder. Like it comes up or comes apart etc.. this video is 3 years old, do you know how any of these held up over time?
There are def a lot of variables to this process so results do vary wildly. With my own experience I have not had any problems with it holding up. Case in point: After conducting these tests, I used the 2K clear shown here on my Master Chief/Daft Punk helmet and it still looks great almost four years later.
I just watched your video on epsilon pro. I was wondering how far the product will stretch in comparison with Plastidip? I'm trying to figure out the more cost effective method between the two options. Thanks!
I know its an old video but @Coregeek do you remember having problems with the graphite powder lifting off during application of the clear coat? I tried clear coating with 2k and the graphite looked to pool up into the clearcoat...was kind of a cool effect if i wasn't specifically trying to keep it reflective...Wondering if i didn't rub off enough of the graphite after or what prep i should have done after powder before clearcoat.
I didn’t have that specific problem with these tests. I do know that lifting can occur tho (obvs. In your case). I did some tests to see how unsealed graphite would react with water and found that it would lift and run, or leave water spots. Not sure if there is a fool proof way to keep it from happening. When I 2K cleared my Daft Punk/ Master Chief helmet I just made sure it was rubbed down with a good amount of pressure. It did not lift in that case.
@@coregeekIf you ever get the itch to dig back into this topic, I’m really curious what the clear lacquer spray from rustoleum would be like over the graphite to seal it. I wonder if it would be ok to spray on the graphite and secondly would it dull it to where it would be undesirable. I am considering trying this soon.. maybe I’ll do the yogurt cup test to avoid messing up my props that took weeks to prep 🤣
@@coregeek Thank you very much. Would a brush not work at all? As the graphite powder is not waterproof I was afraid the liquid "floor wax" would mess up the work being that it is mostly water. But from your test it looks like the best to use for the PRICE paid. I am making a dozen different types of wood swords as christmas gifts.
Thanks for the update. I used the graphite on my punished props bladerunner blaster and had to reapply the graphite after i went with my go to gloss. time for some allclad.
Great comparison. Did you buff any of these after drying or are these straight out of the can? When I use clear coats on my leather work there's a dramatic difference after buffing with a good microfibre cloth.
A quick question on process: after you have a gloss paint coat, do you need to lightly scuff the surface (with super fine steel wool or something similar) or do you just rub the graphite straight onto the gloss and it sticks? Been googling and haven't found much. I have a gloss white coat on a Witcher dagger that I want to finish and it's really smooth, down to about 800/100 grit before paint and hit briefly with 1000 before the most recent coat. Love the videos - keep up the great work! :)
geblah187 Yeah just rub the graphite directly over the dried gloss. I have noticed it doesn’t cover over white as well sometimes. You may need to gloss over it again and reapply.
@@coregeek thanks for the reply - really appreciate it. If it doesn't cooperate i’ll hit it with some more paint or clear gloss and try again. The white on it now has been curing for 4 days ish
Hello there! I wanted to ask if 2K Klarlack Chamäleon 200ml will work, its a two part vernish and the only one available in my country... does anybody know?
From time to time this issue has come up. I don’t know exactly why it happens. In most cases a different type of graphite (usually coarser) was being used. My assumption has always been that was the cause. Unfortunately I can only speak to the exact method/materials I have used and I have not had this problem.
Just curious, have you tried sealing with the Alclad Aqua Gloss, and then the 2k clear? I ask, because when using Alclad II Chrome, Ive found that the Aqua Gloss is needed to keep the chrome color affect, but often dulls the sheen...but when it fully dried, I went over it again but this time with the 2k clear and it brought back a lot of the sheen. Im just curious if it would also work on the Graphite rub the same way.
@@coregeek The clear coat first is what I was thinking, also. I'll 3d print some "test cards", sand them smooth, and try (graphite, paint, clear coat) and (graphite, clear coat, paint, clear coat) and see how those compare in both strength and look.
is the pledge waterproof though? I remember that we used to use that on our boots in the army for the parade boots when you needed a quick shine instead of hours of polishing, which was a quick fix, but if it rained, you would be spotted easily because there was a blue tint/sheen as it started to wash off :-)
@@coregeek Thank you for your reply. That makes sense, i guess you want to be able to wash it off your floor at some point. Well thanks for the great video, i guess my beskar will be covered in 2k lacquer :-D
Probably the Spraymax 2K or the Alclad Aquagloss. Graphite is quite a bit darker than the Alumaluster paint which was used on the production helmets tho.
@@coregeek My problem is I don't have an airbrush nor do I have the skill to use one. I know rattle cans won't look as good as airbrush paints but do you know of any spraypaint options that might get me close?
Dude this totally saved my butt haha, I was wondering what to do for my upcoming build of Anakin's Lightsaber. You rock man!!!
Omg I'm actually watching this for the same exact reason! I've tried every single spray paint and I'm now resorting to graphite powder
This defiently helps, i needed a clear coat for a Mandalorian helmet im making for my brother and myself
We are on the same page here xD working on mando armor
I'm hitting on the same videos as others doing Mando helmets. XD
And same here, using the graphite method for a majority of my armor. This video is a godsend
Exactly the same here, making a Mando helmet for my brother. Hope you had luck with the sealing!
Omg same im making one for my brother! Cool Siblings Squad 😎😎
dude that was extremely helpful. just saved me hours of testing.
Glad to hear. Thanks for letting me know.
A video about sealing a graphite powder finsh with an awesome intro by a guy called Tom Graphite. Ahhh Double Rainbow anyone.
Very helpful video. Thanks for explaining and sharing your results.
Prop Rocks Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this follow up!
Thanks for sharing! I know I've been asking about this lol.
Can 2 part epoxy resin be used as a top coat over graphite? Great videos 👍😷👍🏴
Possibly but I have not tested it so I have no idea how it affects the luster. Thanks for watching.
Very curious!
I just have a quick question. When I apply the 2K gloss it turned to a steel color. Then when I applied more graphite powder and more 2K like a steel color what can I do to prevent this
It's funny, that spraxmax is a German product and it's pretty cheap here in Germany. Thanks i already bought 3 cans
Lucky! Great to hear.
I heard there are issues that pop up over time with clear coat over the graphite powder. Like it comes up or comes apart etc.. this video is 3 years old, do you know how any of these held up over time?
There are def a lot of variables to this process so results do vary wildly. With my own experience I have not had any problems with it holding up. Case in point: After conducting these tests, I used the 2K clear shown here on my Master Chief/Daft Punk helmet and it still looks great almost four years later.
Spray coating vs coating using a brush, do you think it makes a difference after applying graphite powder?
Definitely. Brushing does not work. It will make it look streaky.
@@coregeek Thanks, I was suspecting that was the case.
I just watched your video on epsilon pro. I was wondering how far the product will stretch in comparison with Plastidip? I'm trying to figure out the more cost effective method between the two options. Thanks!
Arutemisu A little bit of Epsilon will go a long way. The trial size is usually plenty for most projects.
@@coregeek Appreciate the reply. You're awesome!
I know its an old video but @Coregeek do you remember having problems with the graphite powder lifting off during application of the clear coat? I tried clear coating with 2k and the graphite looked to pool up into the clearcoat...was kind of a cool effect if i wasn't specifically trying to keep it reflective...Wondering if i didn't rub off enough of the graphite after or what prep i should have done after powder before clearcoat.
I didn’t have that specific problem with these tests. I do know that lifting can occur tho (obvs. In your case). I did some tests to see how unsealed graphite would react with water and found that it would lift and run, or leave water spots. Not sure if there is a fool proof way to keep it from happening. When I 2K cleared my Daft Punk/ Master Chief helmet I just made sure it was rubbed down with a good amount of pressure. It did not lift in that case.
@@coregeek Thanks for the super quick response!
@@SertainKell Welcome! Thanks for checking out my video!
How do you apply the graphite?
Does aqua glass clear coat come out n an aerosol ?
Airbrush only.
How about clear spray lacquer? Someone on YT made a bust of Mando using it, and applied the graphite over the lacquer but didn’t clear coat it.
Yeah that works but it won’t be water proof.
@@coregeekIf you ever get the itch to dig back into this topic, I’m really curious what the clear lacquer spray from rustoleum would be like over the graphite to seal it. I wonder if it would be ok to spray on the graphite and secondly would it dull it to where it would be undesirable. I am considering trying this soon.. maybe I’ll do the yogurt cup test to avoid messing up my props that took weeks to prep 🤣
@@colinmsmall did you ever try this?
@@coleydoom no. I ended up doing a 1k clear and alclad chrome
Do you apply the powder after it fully dries?
Google Name If you’re asking about the base black yes. Graphite gets applied after it has dried.
How did you apply the Floor wax?
Airbrush.
@@coregeek Thank you very much. Would a brush not work at all? As the graphite powder is not waterproof I was afraid the liquid "floor wax" would mess up the work being that it is mostly water. But from your test it looks like the best to use for the PRICE paid. I am making a dozen different types of wood swords as christmas gifts.
@@SpookyFXdotCom In my experience brushing anything creates brush strokes,. Not something I was interested in. Doesn’t mean it couldn’t work tho.
Love the way you did the nested tubs to show the comparison between the control and various finishes. Clearly shows the differences.
thesoldan Thanks! Funny enough I hadn’t planned it that way but it worked out pretty good anyway.
What is the control? Is that without clear coat?
Thanks for the update. I used the graphite on my punished props bladerunner blaster and had to reapply the graphite after i went with my go to gloss. time for some allclad.
Thanks for the shout out Buddy! Appreciate it! :) Keep doing those awesome things. You inspire a lot of us.
Grafit Tomi Absolutely man! Thanks again.
Great comparison. Did you buff any of these after drying or are these straight out of the can? When I use clear coats on my leather work there's a dramatic difference after buffing with a good microfibre cloth.
Christopher Leblanc Not buffed. This is the direct result.
Thanks for this! I have aqua gloss in stock and was about to grab a few cans of the spray max anyway - now I just need a project for this..
Amazing ! Very helpfull thank you !!
A quick question on process: after you have a gloss paint coat, do you need to lightly scuff the surface (with super fine steel wool or something similar) or do you just rub the graphite straight onto the gloss and it sticks? Been googling and haven't found much. I have a gloss white coat on a Witcher dagger that I want to finish and it's really smooth, down to about 800/100 grit before paint and hit briefly with 1000 before the most recent coat. Love the videos - keep up the great work! :)
geblah187 Yeah just rub the graphite directly over the dried gloss. I have noticed it doesn’t cover over white as well sometimes. You may need to gloss over it again and reapply.
@@coregeek thanks for the reply - really appreciate it. If it doesn't cooperate i’ll hit it with some more paint or clear gloss and try again. The white on it now has been curing for 4 days ish
Hi, I have asthma & I can’t use sprays, Can I brush pledge instead of spray it bc i saw ppl spray it
Possibly. Although my experience is rubbing liquid onto graphite makes it streaky and it tends to come off.
@@coregeek thnx! if it didnt work ill just use acrylic paint
Hello there! I wanted to ask if 2K Klarlack Chamäleon 200ml will work, its a two part vernish and the only one available in my country... does anybody know?
can you test or have you tested a black gloss coat with 2x or 2k clear coat and then graphite rub?
Have you tried water based polyurethane clear coat, BEHR is my favorite brand
For a rattle can solution, would you recommend the Shellac or SprayMax over other types of canned clear coats?
my graphite powder does not want to stick to smooth surface. and when i applied it to my mandalorian helmet, it sticks to my hand. is that normal?
From time to time this issue has come up. I don’t know exactly why it happens. In most cases a different type of graphite (usually coarser) was being used. My assumption has always been that was the cause. Unfortunately I can only speak to the exact method/materials I have used and I have not had this problem.
Just curious, have you tried sealing with the Alclad Aqua Gloss, and then the 2k clear? I ask, because when using Alclad II Chrome, Ive found that the Aqua Gloss is needed to keep the chrome color affect, but often dulls the sheen...but when it fully dried, I went over it again but this time with the 2k clear and it brought back a lot of the sheen. Im just curious if it would also work on the Graphite rub the same way.
I haven’t but I’d imagine it would work the same.
Do you need to apply clear coat or can you just leave it as is and just buff it?
You can just buff it. Clear is not required. It is also not waterproof without clear, just something to keep in mind.
Would a translucent metal red over a graphite coat work? Trying to find a nice paint job for my Iron Man suit
I think it probably would. You’d probably want to clear coat it first. May be worth testing out.
@@coregeek The clear coat first is what I was thinking, also. I'll 3d print some "test cards", sand them smooth, and try (graphite, paint, clear coat) and (graphite, clear coat, paint, clear coat) and see how those compare in both strength and look.
Bagenius Good plan. That’s what I would do.
is the pledge waterproof though? I remember that we used to use that on our boots in the army for the parade boots when you needed a quick shine instead of hours of polishing, which was a quick fix, but if it rained, you would be spotted easily because there was a blue tint/sheen as it started to wash off :-)
Not sure. I’ve only ever used Pledge in tests. My guess is it’s not.
@@coregeek Thank you for your reply. That makes sense, i guess you want to be able to wash it off your floor at some point. Well thanks for the great video, i guess my beskar will be covered in 2k lacquer :-D
From seeing them in person which base and clear combination would you say looks best for a Disney Plus Mandalorian helmet
Probably the Spraymax 2K or the Alclad Aquagloss. Graphite is quite a bit darker than the Alumaluster paint which was used on the production helmets tho.
@@coregeek My problem is I don't have an airbrush nor do I have the skill to use one. I know rattle cans won't look as good as airbrush paints but do you know of any spraypaint options that might get me close?