Can You Clear Coat Over Enamel Paint

We get so many questions on the subject of applying articulate coat over enamel paint. Without the proper knowledge, a painting piece could easily turn into wasted material and time.

This guide aims to resolve many of these impending questions regarding:

whether articulate coat tin can be applied to enamel paint
Is clear coat really necessary?
The best clear glaze to use
Tips and trick to get the job washed correct

Can clear glaze exist effectively applied to enamel paint?

Many people believe an old myth that articulate coat will not stick to enamel paint no matter what. This myth is incorrect and should be discredited.

A articulate coat tin can exist practical over enamel paint. Enamel automotive paint will bail easily with clear coat equally well. Some of the clear coats used over enamel include Rustoleum and Spray Max 2k.

Clear coat can exist applied over most Rustoleum enamel paint. It is recommended to utilize a Rustoleum clear coat for optimal results since they are also an enamel blend. But other clear coats tin can be used if you know what you are doing.

Many painters do not recommend lacquer clear coat over fresh enamel considering the thinning agent inside the lacquer may dethrone the enamel paint beneath it. Water based acrylic clear coats tin can too go over enamels but is known to turn yellow over fourth dimension, especially when applied over light colors. Some enamel paints do non bond easily with sure clear coat due to quality differences.

Equally a general rule for beginners, it is recommended to use matching brands of enamel and clear or matching the type of paint with the aforementioned type of articulate coat since they are often formulated to work together. For case, acrylic clear glaze over acrylic paint, enamel clear coat over enamel, lacquers over lacquers, so on.

Is a clear coat necessary for enamel paint?

There are many types of enamel paints: For cars there are ones that needs a top clear coat and a single-stage system that does not crave clear coat.

For other paint projects, there are water base of operations, oil base and other types of enamel paint. The enamel is basically an condiment added to standard paint blends to requite it its difficult enamel characteristics.

A clear coat is not always required later every paint chore. Depending on the application and the type of enamel paint used, it may or may not crave a clear glaze.

Hobbyists and modelers often utilise the enamel paint on their crafts for decoration and to add immovability.

Enamel paints can be used on:

Props
Doors
Trim
Cars
Cabinets
Decks
Cabinet fixtures
Handrails
Appliances

A articulate coat not only makes the appliance look more glamorous and shiny, it changes the reflective alphabetize, changing the type and level of the gloss. It also increases the overall thickness of the painted layer.

However, there are some other advantages associated with applying a clear coat over enamel paint. Some of those advantages are as follow:

Advantages of clear coats

The articulate coat protects the applied surface from ultraviolet rays from the sun, which may cause the enamel paint on a auto to fade and wear prematurely. By adding a clear coat, your vehicle or appliance will appear new for a more extended catamenia.

Drawbacks to articulate coats

Most clear coats applied on enamel are harder and resistant to oxidation; although they are known to be sensitive when information technology comes to scratches. It'south a good idea to be extra careful when using polishing compounds or abrasive rubbing on them.

Since near clear coats lack pigments, they are impervious to fading and discoloration. Only depending on where you lot are storing the apparatus, and how well it is maintained, the clear coat is likely to become dull.

To avert this trouble, store the item to prevent information technology from coming into extended contact with direct sunlight or ultraviolet rays. Some of these surface contaminants like bird dropping, acid rain, airborne pollutants, pelting dust, industrial fallout, and bug splatter tin can make clear glaze await dull.

The surface contaminant volition accumulate on the appliance, hence reducing the cogitating quality of the clear coat. To foreclose these, you can remove the contaminants using Meguiar quilck detailer or a like product and regularly cleaning the appliance.

Deciding whether to add articulate glaze or not

The clear glaze will ultimately determine the advent of the piece existence painted. It is termed every bit one of the essential parts of a furniture or piece. If going for a glossy look, and then clear coat will definitely exist a expert option.

It is as well of import to consider the protective qualities noted above in the decision process.

Best clear coats to apply over enamel for cars

Spray painting clear coat onto car trunk shell

It is crucial to choose the right articulate coat to apply over enamel pigment. We volition tackle some of the all-time clear coats y'all are likely to find on the market today and details well-nigh each of them.

1. Spray Max 2k high gloss clearcoat

Spray Max 2k consists of two components required for clear coating on enamel paint so that no mixing is needed. The clear glaze has valve applied science and a special nozzle, which ensures even spraying.

It consists of two internal chambers that ensure the paint is mixed in the correct ratio.

It is non only applicable over enamel paint; it can also be applied to any other base of operations paints.

If you determine to use this clear coat, it volition dry out in more than or less 12 hours. Another advantage of this clear coat is that information technology is very resistant to wearable and tear.

You should be aware once you mix this articulate glaze, information technology should not exceed 48 hours while in the pot before applying it.

Advantages
• Well-designed nozzle
• It resists external elements hands.
• Easy and straightforward to use

Drawbacks
• It tin't be stored in the pot for long subsequently mixing.
• It takes a while to dry.

2. Sherwin Williams Finish 1

This Sherwin Williams articulate coat may be practical over enamel paint on whatsoever hardware. It is recommended to use this clear coat to attain a durable and professional enamel pigment finish.

It contains UV protection that will protect the enamel pigment from fading.

Advantages
• It doesn't take long to dry out.
• UV protection
• Excellent gloss

Drawbacks
• It isn't like shooting fish in a barrel to buff when information technology dries.

three. Speedokote 2K Urethane

The SpeedoKote 2K Urethane clear coat is well known in the car industry. The clear coat is UV-resistant and resistant to dirt. It is also known for the provision of superior chemicals.

Advantages
• Superior UV, chemical and dirt protection
• Information technology is easy to use.
• Fast cure

iv. Finish 1 2K Urethane

The Finish i 2K urethane automotive articulate coat is known as an excellent selection for spot repairs. It besides shows long-lasting shine and gloss features.

Advantages
• Information technology is fabricated from great ingredients.
• It has long-lasting gloss and shines characteristics.
• It is easy to apply.

Drawbacks
• It may take more than than a twenty-four hour period to dry.
• The clear coat cannot withstand alcohol.

Factors to consider when choosing a clear coat

Transparency: It is essential to look for a clear glaze that volition not impede the colour of the painted surface beneath it.
Gloss level: Since we want to ameliorate the vehicle or piece of furniture, it is crucial to choose a clear coat with a gloss level of more than 90 units. Information technology will make the apparatus expect shiny and new.
Ease of application: Look for a clear coat that will be like shooting fish in a barrel to apply.
Scratch resistance: we all know how cars are prone to scratches; information technology is vital to consider a articulate glaze that is scratch resistant.

How to apply a clear coat over enamel paint

It is essential to permit the enamel paint dry for at least a day or every bit otherwise instructed, before applying the articulate coat. If you lot do not practise this, that may botch the finish and you might not exist impressed with the end results. It tin can cease up with clacks and bubbles forming due to reducer vapors trying to escape.

i. Prepping

Tin of enamel pigment after painting project

Take your time with each step. It's essential to do this considering the primal to a good paint job is the prep work.

When using articulate coats that are packaged in non-spray can or jars, shaking the jar may incorporated bubbles, which may tamper with the finish. It is recommended to gently stir for two-3 minutes until all the ingredients are mixed well.

It is also necessary to avert wet at all costs. Likewise much humidity may cause the articulate coat to turn foggy. It is as well recommended not to paint on hot or rainy days. The optimum temperature for painting is said to exist around 72ºF.

ii. First Glaze

When using a sprayer, the rule of thumb is half-dozen to eight inches abroad from the surface. And spraying in long smooth and fifty-fifty pattern.

Wait until the coat has dried before attempting to fix any imperfections.

To achieve a smooth cease with hand brushing, a painting sponge or paintbrush can used.

Utilize in one direction to avoid the addition of texture, while making sure not to overlap.

3. Finishing coat

Enamel paint tend to require effectually 3 coats of clear.

If in that location are adherence bug, nearly painters recommend wet sanding the surface then reapplying the clear coat.

Ever exercise circumspection when sanding to avoid accidentally causing more damage by burrowing through to the bodily pigment color. Think it is very important to apply personal safety equipment such every bit masks and respirators when working with spray paints.

Terminal verdict

You lot can successfully apply a clear glaze over enamel paint. Choosing the type of clear glaze to utilize may be difficult at times, but if you are sure of what you want and the characteristics of the end product, it will be an like shooting fish in a barrel chore.