When applying gold to a plate, I mix the bronzing powder with clear lacquer with a fast evaporating thinner (R-M)* and spray a few mist coats before applying for uniform coverage. Then add clear to the cup and keep spraying with the lower-content gold material. For clear coat, start out with a light, mist coat or two and then proceed to finish coat. You could also add thinner to the cup on your second top coat for better flow-out or a use slow (*) evaporating thinner or use a blush resistant retarder. Discoloration comes from overloading one spot with finish material (either gold or clear) or you had touched the surface causing oxidation or sanded. Do not sand gold and apply clear; if you sand the gold surface, respray more gold, then clear. For lettering, I use a waterbased paint so a botched character isn't etched into the finish but can simply be wiped off. No top coat required over lettering. No, Magic Markers are not good to use. They might look OK for a while but fade in a few years and then look bad. * automotive finish products http://www.rmpaint.net/grandbr/accueil.htm -- Regards, Jon Page
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