Transtar Clears

[Greg]

I need a recomdination on which Transtar clear to use. I need a clear that drys fairly quickly, has a good gloss and is easy to use. My suppliers seems to sell mostly the Kwik Gloss clear, but also stocks some Euro Classic clear but doesn't sell much of it. I do mostly total repaints.

Greg

[reflections7]

The euro clear stays wet a long time.
I really like the 6771 3.5 clear. Reduce it up to 10% with correct temp reducer. I just bought 6781 but havent used it. Their clears seem to get out of dust faster than most.

[Phil V]

Greg, you emailed me about a week ago in reference to the Transtar clears and I apologize for not returning your email. The transtar clear I use the most of is their 4.2 low VOC clear. In all honesty it is close to the same characteristics of Omni clear. I live about 2 miles from the Transtar factory/plant and I go there directly to buy my materials. Unfortunately they won't give me any deals price wise (because they can't undercut their jobbers). Bottom line is that Omni clear is less expensive and in my book they are equal in handling characteristics and quality. I also agree that Euroclear is a good clear with more solids but it dries SLOWLY. Not a goog choice in a small shop in the winter without a heated air exchanger for the paint booth.

[Pot]

I use the Kwik Gloss with the 6874 hardner for panel repairs and the 6894HT hardner which is labeled for overall jobs and high temps. Haven't had any problems at all with the 6894 drying too fast.

If you've never used these clears, I would caution you to not spray the coats too wet or cut the flash time too short. With my spraying technique, I find that Transtar is highly susceptible to solvent pop.

[reflections7]

Im real happy. Wont take much sanding at all. If it was a driver or a production car I would be done. This stuff doeasnt die back or anything. will give it a few days and then cut and buff. Mostly dust nibs ect. The dots are dust my digital camera pics up.

[Serge]

Used Euro Clear for a complete...(my ex wife's cavalier) And 2 years later the bumpers have small cracks...the car still looks nice though but it seems that it is not as flexible than the more expensive clears I am used to use. It could use a little flexible agent on flex parts. It becomes very hard, like most low cost clears I used. If you plan on color sanding, don't wait too long. 24 hours later mine was rock hard and I worked like a dog to polish that thing...

But I must say the results was nice, very good distinction of image for a clear that inexpensive. And 2 years in our Canadian winters gives it a thumbs up for durability...

[Pot]

Serge, that's interesting. I've used the Kwik Gloss on several little projects and found it to be just the opposite what you describe the Euro to be. I usually wait 3-5 days or more (air dry) before sanding and buffing. Even then, it's pretty soft, but very easy to buff...if you're careful. I'd estimate it would take three weeks or more to reach that "getting hard" stage.

Based on my experience, I'd say Kwik Gloss might not work so swell in a high production shop due to the slower cure time.

[reflections7]

The euro stays soft for me a long time. several days or longer. The 4.0 I just sprayed stays soft for several days and buffs very nice. The owner came and saw the car as I finished buffing with a friend. First question from the friend what paint is that? Now I know you can buff out almost any clear to look very good but for whatever reason the transtar clears give a great DOI.
The price now is 90 for the gallon of clear and 75 for two quarts hardner.

[Serge]

I pay 72 for the gallon and 65 for the hardner, and that's canadian dollars!...That's the street price here for body shops...