Seeking advice: Anyone have advice on what to do when paint or clearcoat won't dry completely?
I've recently completed building a new model, but can't finish the job because the paint doesn't seem to want to dry completely. Not all of it, mind you. Just a few spots on ghe wings and fuselage. To explain:

My usual practice is to paint the model with acrylics, then after drying, give it a coat of clear enamel (Floquil Railroad Colors Crystal Clear-Cote) to provide a smooth, shiny surface that the decals can best adhere to. Sometimes, if it's particularly humid or cold in the workshop, this may take a day or more to dry completely. Then, after attaching the decals and letting them set, I like to give everything a final coat of Crystal-Cote to seal the decals and make everything look sharp visually.

But this time, for some strange reason, the primary layer of clear-coat won't seem to dry completely. It remains tacky in spots a good two weeks after application. I set is aside in a climate-stable space, but the tackiness persists. I'm concerned that applying decals and another coat of crystal will result in disaster. I've thought about hitting it with a heat gun or hair dryer, but the idea of what might happen gives me the fantods!

Anybody have any ideas or suggestions what to do?

Thank you Gordon.

 Looks fantastic Lou !

 Well done.

 Gordon

NV Deborah
The Newfoundland Vessel Deborah is a brig used in coastal water to protect shipping lanes from pirates.

Lou

Thank you Lou.

Decals to be sorted yet.

 Gordon

 Thank you Lou.

 It is 1/48.

 Didn't reduce the scrap box by much.

 Cheers

 Gordon

You can get them as wide as 2.5cm. I have three different sizes. They are stiff so anything that requires strength is a good place for them.

Lou

Seen them called "craft sticks"

Gordon's builds

Bell XP-77
1/48 Scale
14 May 2024

Thank you both. I call them popsicles or coffee stir sticks. They are just a few $$ at my friendly Walmart.

Lou