Wanting opinions on CLEAR COAT All opinions welcome!!

[WAVENBYE2]

A couple of years ago I was wanting to know why I couldn't just wet sand her down and re-do the decals that I want to install and just tape her down and spray on a clearcoat like you would on a corvette?? How come more people are not doing this?? I thought it would be a good Idea, Wouldn't that work?? I know there are alot of people who will have opinions and I want to here everyones opinions and make my own conclusions from there. I am smart enough to figure out what will be the best thing to do and then do it, So "ALL" opinions are welcome to The CLEARCOAT idea right or wrong doesn't matter, that is what the forums are for, So every one can give their opinion on what they think is best!!
THANKS ...........................Pat

 

[_chris_]

Re: Wanting opinions on CLEAR COAT All opinions welcome!!

I think if you could get it to stick well with out primer it would work fine.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Wanting opinions on CLEAR COAT All opinions welcome!!

The 2 biggest differences are that Corvettes are not actually fiberglas, they are Sheet Molded Compund. And Corvette panels do not have gelcoat on their panels, prior to being primed and painted.
So your Corvette analogy is not a good one. What you are trying to do is get clearcoat to adhere to gelcoat. Clearcoat is meant to adhere to properly prepared acrylic enamel paint, not gelcoat.
There is a product out there, called VertGlas that is like clearcoat for gelcoat. I have heard it looks great when first applied. But you have to maintain it like crazy after that. Or it peels off in sheets and looks crappy doing it.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Wanting opinions on CLEAR COAT All opinions welcome!!

Thanks!! I knew something was up when I see that nobody is doing that(clearcloating), I just did't know what or why. I am not going to do anything until I know the facts and the best way, Why make more Unnecessary work for myself without doing my homework first

 

[marine4003]

Re: Wanting opinions on CLEAR COAT All opinions welcome!!

Alot of people whould do it if it wasnt so expensive and time consuming,PPG 2042 with reducer and hardner is apx $350.00 a gallon now . The biggest difference between the inexpensive clears and the high quality ones is the amount of UV inhibitor thats present. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for, but you have to use the proper clear for the application The product for gelcoats is either Duratec or Prestec, both are great products, and spray like automotive clears, but a bigger nozzle is needed.So after the prep time & materials...the clear and reducer..spray equipment..a booth...resp.equip. thats alot of time & $$$$, My.02

 

[Ccash00]

Re: Wanting opinions on CLEAR COAT All opinions welcome!!

My front of my boat got wrecked and it was painted and cleared with automotive paint and clear, its been two years and you cant even tell the clear is on top of the gelcoat or where the blend line is.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Wanting opinions on CLEAR COAT All opinions welcome!!

I plan to spray with Pettit topside paint and clear over it. I am doing a pearl paint job and need the clear for the pearl. I won't be just adding some clear to my gelcoat, but a newly finished paint job, so I'm not sure if there is a big difference there or not. I'm far from a paint expert (completely ignorant is the adjective I would use), so I may have a beautiful boat for years or a flaky pealing mess in weeks.. time will tell