Hello!

I was wondering what people's perceptions are on adding additional layers of clear coat to one's car.

I was at the car wash the other day (not with my benz, but rather my acura where I met another individual who had just recently had additional layers of clear coat applied on top of the original paint job of his '95 Chrysler LHS. I must admit the car looked pretty damn good, and now I'm thinking of doing something similar...

What are your thoughts? Anything to know beforehand?


Thanks!

hello.....???

Patience Pzingh, we are all here but its hot & we are sleepy
I find it a very interesting question,not so much for the looks but for possible protection against the dreaded stone chips.
The clear coat on my car is inadequate & I am in the process of fitting a plastic film over the leading edges to minimise the constant erosion.
I am not an up to date paint man but I am reliably informed that
the waterbased clearcoat is inherently brittle,thus if more thickness is added to it perhaps it will withstand the shock of stones etc more effectively?
Personally I doubt it will dramatically improve appearance, once the car has been gone over with the revered clay, which everyone here feels brings about significant improvements.

Tigerfox

TIGERFOX,what film are you using on your car results? im looking to install 3m film on my wagen heard good results on 3m let me know how hard to install,can you see thru the film like swirls etc thanks mark

Mark, I am using 3M. I am using the thin stuff on leading edges of Hood & fender & Thicker(8mm) on headlamps. The Excel site www.Excel.com FAQ gives highly informative advice on application.
Go for the wet method, it gives much more latitude for error.If you have steep curvatures it does get tricky so try flat areas first to gain experience.
It does show when applied, better on light colours than black or dark blue . I am told that in severe cases(small rocks) it will mark the film but I can live with that if I am not having to respray every couple of years.

tigerfox

Tigerfox- - let us know how applying the film works out (application and end result).

tks-fad

Yes of course -fad but it wont be for a couple of weeks yet,my wife has got me decorating the house.

tigerfox

Yes of course -fad but it wont be for a couple of weeks yet,my wife has got me decorating the house.

tigerfox

Hi Folks,

Thought you may like to know that there is a product call 'Clear Cote' made by the PPC company (permanent painted coatings) They are a US company I think, I have used their products here in Australia through www.ppc.au.com

I am in the process of a restoration of my 35yo Mercedes 250S, I am having the whole car re-sprayed and will be adding additional layers of the 'Clear Cote' product. I have seen in the brochures what it looks like and the difference is quite visible.

Will let you know how it goes.

Cheers,

The Clear Cote product sounds very interesting. Is the application tedious?

As far as I understand it, addiontal layers of clear coat comes to almost the same price as another layer of spray paint. Without doubt, it provides a longer lasting gloss and richness of paintwork.

In our spray-paint workshop, it is standard to give a layer of clear coat, but sometimes an additional layer is added on upon request.

So, if you're going to have another layer of clear coat, by all means do have it. You'd appreciate the ease in which you maintain and detail the paintwork in future.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

I am in the process of repainting my 76 300d. My bodyshop buddies have all recomended that I go with the two stage paint (base coat/ clear coat). The clear coat not only looks better and deeper but has UV inhibitors that will reduce fading signifigantly especially on dark colors. The orang peel in the clear coat (look closely at the new cars out there) can be wet sanded out after a couple of weeks with 1200 grit resulting in a near "show car" finish. I have seen the process and it looks great and is more durable than single stage paints. The materials run about $100-200 more. It was also suggested that I use a urathane primer as it will stick to anything.