127mm f/9.4 OTA Construction - OTA Main Tube Painting (application of clear coat)

The clear coat finish was applied in a multitude of very thin layers to reduce the chance of a chemical reaction that sometimes causes the paint finish to wrinkle. This is one of the primary reason I recommend that the paint finish is allow to cure over a number of days; as much as a week. This is a very important step.

I used Dupli-Color® automotive clear coat over the Rustoleum® paint finish. Actually, I should used the Rustoleum® brand of clear coat, because it bounds to the paint finish better by design. Oh well, it will do for the moment.

With that, this concludes the painting process of the 127" f/9.4 "Brigadier General Richard Pierce" refractor. Application of flocking material will follow.