- What is Clearcoat?
- Clearcoat is a transparent layer of paint applied over a basecoat to create a glossy finish and protect the underlying paint from harmful UV rays, weather, and chemicals. It’s essential for all paint colors, regardless of whether “clearcoat” is mentioned in the description.
- Why is Clearcoat Important?
- Gloss and Shine: Clearcoat enhances the color’s shine and depth, creating a brilliant finish.
- Protection: It shields the basecoat from sun damage, fading, and environmental elements.
- Color Matching: Clearcoat plays a crucial role in achieving an accurate color match.
- Uniform Finish: Clearcoat provides a universal finish that works on various paint colors.
- Clearcoat on Metal vs. Non-Metal Surfaces
- The same clearcoat can be used on both metal and non-metal car parts. However, for non-metal surfaces, using an adhesion promoter like SEM Adhesion Promoter is crucial to ensure proper bonding of primer, basecoat, and clearcoat.
- Types of Clearcoat
- Catalyzed Clearcoat in a Spray Can: This pre-mixed option offers convenience but requires using it within 24 hours of activation and necessitates proper respiratory protection due to Isocyanates.
- Standard Clearcoat: This type requires mixing with a hardener and offers more flexibility in application time.
- Water Based Paints and Clearcoat
- While some paints at Paintscratch.com are water-based, the available clearcoat can still be used effectively over them. Spray cans are not available for water-based paints at this time.
- Maintaining Your Clearcoat
- Regular washing and waxing your car are vital for maintaining the clearcoat’s condition and protecting the paint job from contaminants and oxidation. Refer to the “Application” section under “How-To Guides” for detailed clearcoat application techniques.
- Additional Notes:
- All our paints require a clearcoat for a glossy finish.
- Even single-stage paints used previously now require a basecoat/clearcoat combination due to environmental regulations.
- We recommend consulting with a professional for applying catalyzed clearcoat due to its specific handling requirements.