Clear over direct gloss?

[grumpy grandad]

I've just been wet sanding solid gloss with the hose and 1500 grit and noticed how shiny the paint is with water on it and wondered if this is why clear lacquer is applied to give the same effect instead of loads of polishing.? Probably won't do it though as Iv'e nearly finished this project but maybe next time

 

[norsa]

post flatting, you could put a couple of coats of clear on but you wont get more or less shine than mopping your direct gloss and you would still have to mop the clear. It is a common misconception in my opinion that adding clear to or putting clear on top of will enhance its shine. I am happy to be shot down but I think it would be a complete waste of time and money. Of course the majority of modern paint systems now use clearcoat over solid, its true but the solid is a water based or polyester base coat.
Nick

 

[the snooper]

I agree with nick I dont think there is any benefit shine wise, although it doesn't seem to discolour like solids do. apart from a decent paint in the first place the shine depends on how smooth and flat you can get the finished paint

 

[steveo3002]

clear isnt applied instead of loads of polishing , if you had to sand the peel off the colour coat then chances are you wont get the clear on dead flat so will need to flat/polish that too

can be done ..no real point imo , thicker coatings = deeper chips

 

[richie00boy]

It's more work to put clear over direct gloss as the gloss has to be flatted back or the clear will delaminate months or years down the line. If you want to put a clear on use the proper basecoat.

 

[langy]

It's more work to put clear over direct gloss as the gloss has to be flatted back or the clear will delaminate months or years down the line. If you want to put a clear on use the proper basecoat.

If I wanted to clear over solid I would do it wet on wet, no more work really, although I can't see much point in doing it.

 

[brokenbiker]

I only ever put clear over the relevant basecoats. have never seen the need to clear over gloss, doesn't take too long to polish and mop and gives the same, if not a better shine than clear