Topcoat Before or After Custom Cloak Add-Ons? Order Matters
By Fuwa Fuwa Land-Fuwa Fuwa Land | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Tips & Care
Learn whether to apply Mr Super Clear Matt before or after adding a YE 1/100 Tastier Cloak, with a diagnosis for common finish problems and clear stop points.
Quick answer
Topcoat the base kit first, then fit the cloak and topcoat the cloak separately if its material allows. Never spray Mr Super Clear Matt over a cloak you have not tested, because the solvent can damage soft or painted custom parts.
Why the order changes the finish
A matte topcoat works by forming a thin film that scatters light. If you spray it over a cloak that is already attached, the film bridges the gap between kit and cloak, then cracks or turns chalky when the cloak flexes or is removed. Coating the base kit first keeps the flat finish on rigid plastic and leaves the cloak free to move.
The cloak itself may not need a topcoat at all. The YE 1/100 Tastier Cloak is a Chinese original item from Hemoxian offered in Black, Red, or Grey, and the catalog does not state its material or paint compatibility. Treat that missing information as a reason to test, not a reason to guess.
When coating after assembly is the better choice
If you have already fitted the cloak and want one uniform finish, you can still topcoat last, but only after masking the cloak or confirming it accepts the same spray. A single light pass over the whole build is tempting, yet it puts the most solvent on the part you know least about.
Decals and panel lines are the exception worth planning for. Seal them on the base kit before the cloak goes on, so you are not trying to reach recessed detail around a hanging part.
Diagnose your topcoat and cloak order
- Symptom: white or cloudy patches around the cloak edge: Likely cause is topcoat sprayed over a gap or flexible joint and trapped between parts. Correct by letting the build dry fully, then lightly re-spray only the rigid plastic from a greater distance. Stop if the cloudiness sits on the cloak itself; do not add more coats. Cloudiness at a joint is an order problem, not a coverage problem.
- Symptom: cloak surface looks etched, sticky, or wrinkled: Likely cause is solvent in the topcoat reacting with the cloak material or its finish. Correct by stopping immediately and letting it cure in a dust-free place; do not wipe while wet. If the damage remains, remove the cloak and topcoat the base kit alone. Any reaction on the cloak means the cloak should not receive that topcoat.
- Symptom: matte finish looks uneven where the cloak covers the kit: Likely cause is spraying around an attached cloak, which leaves shadowed areas and heavy passes at the edges. Correct by removing the cloak, re-coating the base kit in even passes, and refitting once dry. Choose another option if the cloak cannot be removed without damage. If the cloak is not removable, accept the base kit finish as-is rather than chasing coverage.
- Symptom: decals or panel lines are unprotected under the cloak: Likely cause is fitting the cloak before sealing detail. Correct by removing the cloak, applying Mr Super Clear Matt to the base kit to seal decals and panel lines, then refitting after cure. Stop here if the cloak is already permanently attached. Seal detail before the cloak goes on whenever removal is possible.
Product facts
- Mr Super Clear Matt: Mr Super Clear Matt is a matte clear top coat for plastic model kits and hobby surfaces, and the catalog notes it is ideal for sealing decals and panel lines. That makes it the right product for the base kit stage, before a cloak covers the detail you want to seal.
Mr Super Clear Matt - YE 1/100 Tastier Cloak: The YE 1/100 Tastier Cloak is compatible with 1/100 scale kits and comes in Black, Red, or Grey. Because the catalog does not list its material or coating compatibility, test any topcoat on a hidden area of the cloak first.
YE 1/100 Tastier Cloak
