Favorite Clear that lasts??

[barthmonster]

On a budget, what clear do you consider durable, you know with plenty of UV inhibitors. Now don't say PPG, they charge too much...
I'm thinking its going to be like Sherwin Williams or maybe DuPont Chroma-something. Lets have your favorites.

[mmooney84]

I have used the dupont and the aftermarket sherwin williams dimensions stuff. THe dupont works real good but is thin and takes about 3 coats to look good. THe deminsion looks good after two coats but I have yet to use it with out geting atleast one run. I also live in texas so its 70 degrees right now so i use midtemp reducer. I plan on trying the nason aftermarket dupont I heard it is good and it is only like 100 a gallon. I personally like the serwin williams base's though. As far as the clear that last, I would stick to the same as your base so if you paint with dupont base i would spray dupont or nason clear. I heard lots of shops say that ppg's omni clear yellows and doesnt last but personally never used it.

[Phil V]

"Don't say PPG", "lets have your favorites" ? Maybe I'm misreading your attitude (most likely not) but thats not going to make experienced people want to share their professional and hard earned experiences with you.
Maybe if you re-phrased your question, like " I'm looking for a good quality inexpensive clear and would appreciate any input that you guys can offer ".
Care to try again ?

[barthmonster]

Okay. I could use your guys help here. A good quality inexpensive clear might have little or no UV inhibitors in it though. I've heard (above) that Omni turns yellow. The clear on my car right now is falling off after like 5 years. Okay here it is: What is the most 'durable' clear for say $135 or less. Better? Actually heard PPG Delta is very nice and only about $109 but can't price it online...

[Chris L]

Spend 20 more dollars and get some Matrix ms 42.:-)

[Pot]

You will find that the first line paints/clears of all major manufacturers cost pretty close to the same per sprayable ounce. The same goes for their economy lines like Nason, Omni, etc. It's mostly a personal preference thing.

I've used Dupont's ChromaClear and ChromaPremier clear for many years and have never had a product failure. Over the last couple of years I've used Transtar clear on several small projects and so far it looks good, but two years isn't really long enough for a durability test. It costs about a $100. a gallon w/hardner.

[Phil V]

I clearcoated an F150 4X4 of mine with transtar clear and drove that truck for 7 years. After those 7 years it still looked as good as the day I sprayed it.
I have sprayed a LOT of Omni clear over the last 10 years and I've never seen it yellow or break down from UV or anything else. Both those clears are bullet proof (well, in actuality it won't stop a bullet - but it is excellent clear regardless of the cost factor). I sprayed my current truck 3 years ago with Omni clear and it still looks like the day I sprayed it. I have a waiting list of people who want to buy the truck if and when I decide to sell it.

[barthmonster]

Thanks guys. That give me something to think about. Omni, MS-42 & MS-52, transtar. I'll see what they have here in town.

[frostje]

I have used nason clear is the best for the price at about 100 a gallon,I paid 90 though:D . House of Kolor makes an excellent clear uc-35. I used them as well and have never had bad results. The only clear I had problem with is kirker,although there product is decent for the price about 65 a gallon with activator. I would use on a quick scuff and shoot though. I don't think its as nice a deep shine as the nason or hok but it does a good job for the price.

[mmooney84]

Im throwing away my western auto Dimension and buying nason. As far as omni goes on an overall yeah it would be alright but if you are doing a blend dont use it you will see it looking yellower than the other clear after a few months.

[fixdent]

In my shop, I use strictly Dupont. The ChromaPremier clear is the best I have seen, But pricey. ChromaPremier is a two coat hi-build. I like the idea of only spraying 2 coats.

I have use Nason Select Clear on economy jobs, and have had good results. I have watched a few jobs that are about 3 years old, and they still look good. I wouldn't hesitate using it, and it's less than half the cost of ChromaPremier.

--
Gordon

**Shareware Estimating Program** (http://www.geocities.com/fixdent)

[68-chevyman]

I think most of these 2 line clears arn't bad you just want to put 3 coats if your conserned about longevity.

[frostje]

has anyone ever tried mar-hyde,I would like to know how that clear stands up

[pane2k]

alot of guys I know are using U-pol clear. Supposedly its supposed to be a good product and its about 100 or so for a 5 litre setup with 1 litre of hardener.
The mixture is 2:1 so it goes a long way, lays down nice and from what i've heard it lasts.
I spok ewith one guy...that sprayed cars 5 years ago...seen them recently and said they still look like the day they sprayed.

I personally have no experience with it, but for a inexpensive clear, it seems like quality stuff.

I personally perfer to stick with Lesonal or Sikkens.

[Roch_Greg]

I'm in the Dupont Camp as well.

I just used their ChromaClear G2-4500S for the first time on a project over the last few weeks and was very impressed with the way it laid down and flowed out The depth of apperance is outstanding.

Prior to that I used Nason Select Clear which is a two-part and I imagine cheaper than the ChromaClear which is cheaper than the ChromaPrimier.

I don't think I'll go back to using Nason and think I'll use the mid-priced stuff from now on. I'm starting to see why the old timers say "you get what you pay for".

[wes292]

if you use the transtar i recomend the euro line it reminds me of standox and speis.designed to be like the european clears hense the euro name.;) ;)

[86camaroman]

i dont know how long it lasts yet but i have recently started using rubber seal clear coats they flow pretty darn good and have an excellent gloss as well and hey barthmonster have you tried that iwata yet

[Andy]

Once you have picked a brand ( i.e. Dupont, PPG, etc.) how do you decide which clear to get? Most brands seem to have about half a dozen or more clears. Prices are usually not marked on the listing sheet, so you have to ask on each one. Is the most $$ usually the best ? Our local distributors really don't have much advice. Very Confusing !!

[barthmonster]

Camaroman,
No I'm a slow mover I guess. Should get time now, just got off 12-hour rotating shiftwork at work and now will be working M-F days only with every other friday off.
I'm sure I'll be happy with it. My first paintjob is going to be Kirker because of price of course. After that my daily ('94 Camry) is getting some sort of DuPont Base, either Chroma or their cheaper line. I want to try the SPI Clear, possible the Universal. Also the new air compressor kicks-butt, I just need to get off my butt and put in a garage piping system...
I'll post my results on here when I'm done, good or bad. Got to thank these guys for all the free knowledge...

[86camaroman]

i just got done spraying my daily its a ford escort i have more in the paint then the car but wanted to shine it up a bit i have been using the rubber seal 6100 clear but today i tried the 2300 it seemed to be pretty good as well but so far i think i like the 6100 a tad better once i get it unmasked i might toss some pics up