Benefits of Clear Coating?

[Zedrally]

My 240 is heading off for a long awaited birthday tomorrow.

Having had it's last re-paint 5 years ago and has always been out in the weather, all I can say it's long overdue!

I noticed in another thread mention being made of clear coating.

Now I was wondering if a coat or 2 of this would be beneficial for a car that lives outdoors. I guess it can't hurt but this isn't any showroom car either. Daily driver and spends much time on gravel.

Any thoughts?

MOM

[MikeW]

My understanding is that clearcoat is essentially paint without pigment. People mistakenly believe that this is a protectant layer when in fact it's just there to look good. You still need to properly wash and wax the car. The clearcoat can suffer from exposure, acid rain, etc. just like traditional single-coat paints.

Another thing to keep in mind is that clearcoat systems are designed together. I don't think you would just add a clear coat on top of a traditional base coat. If you haven't decided yet what paint to use you might want to discuss the various possibilities with the painter or the paint store.

[speedyblue]

If you are using metallic paint I think you are supposed to use a clear coat over the top, but I don't know about standard paint.

[Zedrally]

Originally posted by MikeW

If you haven't decided yet what paint to use you might want to discuss the various possibilities with the painter or the paint store.

Thanks,

unfortunately the painter is a retired 75 year old FIL who lacks up to date product knowledge. Great if you want to use wiping metal to fill up spots, but of little use on this occaision as he will spray what I get for him, hence the query.

Thanks for the response, is there a product that protects for UV?

MOM

[HKSZ]

Every time I paint a car I use clear top coats.

What colour are you using?

I do belive it can act as a sunscreen on colours like red which oxides quicker than other colours, but the biggest advantage is the instant gloss you get straight off the gun.

To do a proper job you need at least 5 coats which means you need 4 lt of clear.

I use Wattyl paints

Steve

[LanceM]

If your painter is not familure with 2 stage paints then you better get him what he knows or you may spend a lot of money and he'll be frustrated! 2 stage paints go on differently and look differently during the painting process than single stage paints. If all he's ever shot is single stage, then he's going to think he's doing something wrong with 2 stage as it looks terriable until the clear coat goes on! And putting on the clear goes on differently than you would shoot a single stage clear.

[My260Rocks]

right, the 1st stage of the 2 stage system (which is the traditional system) is the dull color base coat. When you spray it, it goes on like a colorful primer coat. The 2nd stage is the clear coat. Its the 'gloss' it adds the shine and depth. Multipul layers of clear can add some really nice depth to a job. Great for a show car.

Single stage paint... is like it sounds. One stage. Paint the color and it drys shiney. This is good, when you add multiple layers, b/c you can wet sand out scratches, as long as they dont go through the paint. I would recommend, for a daily driver with a lot miles on gravel roads to go the single stage way. Its far easier to fix scratches and fading. (Just wet sand, polish, and wax) Its also easier to repair major scratches b/c you can just wet sand the area effected, shoot another coat, sand and polish (assuming your color matches).

I used PPG for both single and 2stage paints. They are consistenly great paints and you can get very easy to understand mix charts to make sure you paint correctly.

-Patrick

[77 Z]

There is a new or what I know to be new Clear Coat that is avalible , that is referred to as EUROPEAN CLEAR COAT...apparently from what I have learned it is a clear that is being used by Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari and the like. It is supposed to be much better (arnt all things from Europe) than the ones that have been used here in the states for many years..I heard about it at a local body shop that I was interviewing regarding painting my 77 280

77 Z

[ricksaia]

What you want is a two stage Acryllic Eurathane. It is the new stuff from PPG. Two to four coats of color and three to four coats of clear. With the many coats of clear, if you have to color sand at a later date, you can. After a month, you can apply a teflon coating from Meguires. You should never have a problem. Have fun.

[Bruce Palmer]

.... finishes is the ability to color sand and buff the Clear to get the trash and orange peel out of the finish. It takes a real pro with excellent technique and equipment to spray out a good BC/CC job without defect and they typically just plan on color sanding and buffing afterward.

Good clears with UV screeners will help keep that color alive for a lot of years.........

[Zedrally]

Ok, thanks for the response.

We now have the car de-rusted so it's onto the primer stage.

From here I intend to spray Acryillic Colour straight on, possibly 4 coats to build up some depth.

After this can I spray 3 to 4 coats of UV Top Clear coat?

Thanks for all the help, spray painting and materials to use doesn't hold much of a place on my zed knowledge list.

[Z Kid]

If its going to be the rally car, is clear the best of ideas? Its a lot easier to patch up acrylic paint and blend in well, than it is to patch up acrylic paint with clear on the top. Also if you really want the deep shine you do your base coats, then a 50/50 clear base coats, then 60/40 etc and a few coats of pure clear but thats near impossible to match for the average backyarder should, heaven forbid you get showered with rocks as you overtake a fellow gravel track driver.

Either way I am sure it will look great.

Cheers Chris