Hello:

Anyone have any experience or views about applying a
urethane clear coat over a new enamel or urethane paint
job? Sort of like the clear coat on a car.


paul oman

--

Yes I have experience with this.
Although clear coating will make the surface shinier
than just paint, in general, paint is more durable and longer lasting
than clear coating because the major factor contributing to any coating
failure is UV degradation from sun light. Paint has pigment that blocks
UV radiation, clear coat does not. Some clear coatings have a UV
inhibitor in them but they are still not as good as paint.
The only time that I have used clear coatings over paint was if a
customer requested it even after I explained that it would not be as
durable as paint or to temporarily salvage a badly weathered surface.
Some unscupulous vendors would use the clear coat gimmick as a way to
increase "protection" and charge more for a job.
It seems to make sense but it just ain't so.
My experience is with outdoor wooden commercial signs rather than
strictly boats. From my experience, paint is about five times longer
lasting than varnish or clear coat.
If you want short term shinyness, clearcoat.
Otherwise a meticulously applied paint coating with proper primers
beneath will be superior in appearance and longevity.



Paul Oman wrote:
Hello:

Anyone have any experience or views about applying a
urethane clear coat over a new enamel or urethane paint
job? Sort of like the clear coat on a car.


paul oman

--

Some unscupulous vendors would use the clear coat gimmick as a way to
increase "protection" and charge more for a job.

Hmm wonder why automotive finishes topped with clear coat last so long & look
good doing it?? I've used 2 part auto CC (Nason) on varnish, outboards,
painted wood etc with no ill effects whatever.
Greg Sefton

My experience is with brushable clear enamel products rather than
arcylic automotive finishes. I was thinking of a wood surface also,
which may tend to move enough to crack urethane coatings.
Also some two part finishes are very hazardous to the health and require
special equipment that might exclude a one off or amatuer project.
No doubt there are super finishes out there, but I have to say that even
clear automotive finishes tend to break down sooner than pigmented ones.

Bray Haven wrote:
Some unscupulous vendors would use the clear coat gimmick as a way to
increase "protection" and charge more for a job.


Hmm wonder why automotive finishes topped with clear coat last so long & look
good doing it?? I've used 2 part auto CC (Nason) on varnish, outboards,
painted wood etc with no ill effects whatever.
Greg Sefton

I've used Interthane clear LPU over Interthane white and have been happy with
both the appearance and longevity of the result. IIRC, Awlgrip recommends
using clear finish over dark colors but not over light ones. You might check
their manual.
I think most autos today are finished with clearcoat systems and we know that
they hold up very well indeed.

All that said, for a small boat that will get many bangs and scuffs, the LPU
systems, whether clear coat or not, are much too much work.

Paul Oman wrote:

Hello:

Anyone have any experience or views about applying a
urethane clear coat over a new enamel or urethane paint
job? Sort of like the clear coat on a car.

paul oman

--

hi
I dont know about the US but here in the UK we use a 2 pack paint on cars,
a bit like 2 part epoxy only thin enough to spray, it needs no clear laquer
to top of the finish as it is both durable and shiny, unless its metalic
then laquer is used


fragged

"Paul Oman" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Anyone have any experience or views about applying a
urethane clear coat over a new enamel or urethane paint
job? Sort of like the clear coat on a car.


paul oman

--

hi
the main prob with 2 pack automotive paint in the uk is that it contains
isocyanides, basically cyanide so air fed masks are needed.

fragged

"fraggy" wrote in message
...
hi
I dont know about the US but here in the UK we use a 2 pack paint on
cars,
a bit like 2 part epoxy only thin enough to spray, it needs no clear
laquer
to top of the finish as it is both durable and shiny, unless its metalic
then laquer is used


fragged

"Paul Oman" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Anyone have any experience or views about applying a
urethane clear coat over a new enamel or urethane paint
job? Sort of like the clear coat on a car.


paul oman

--

Paul,

I've used S-III LPU clear paint on top of their colored LPU and after 3
years of outside storage see no degradation. Looks good as new. Not sure
if that's the same "clear coat" that you are talking about though.

Brian

"Paul Oman" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Anyone have any experience or views about applying a
urethane clear coat over a new enamel or urethane paint
job? Sort of like the clear coat on a car.


paul oman

--