Clear Choices?

[aod92]

In about a month we have to do a few repairs to the body of my truck. At that time we are gonna re clear the whole truck. The clear that's on it now is a low end basf clear. It looks like it's hazed over a bit. What kind of clear do you guys recommend that isn't crazy expensive? Would like to stay in the $300 a gallon range. Thanks!

[tinydb84]

I have heard nothing but positive reviews about SPI's universal clear.

[Foot Stomper]

You could pick just about any brand you like because they're all good. I sold many many brands of both Generic and Name Brand clears and none of them had a bad name.

Urethane clear coat has to be one of the easiest products to make so you're options are wide open.

You will get specific brand recommendations but I suggest you look more towards a generic clear and pick their best one. This is because those companies making generic clear coats put a very good product out to replace the name brand versions. The name brands will have two qualities or more... Their best is far too much money and would be equal in quality to the generic best for 1/2 the money. The name brand guys will put out a lesser quality clear in their second line in an attempt to appease their customers and keep them from going to a top brand generic.

If you can find a dealer selling Five Star Euro Clear, you'll be super impressed but there are many others selling a 2:1 Euro style clear. A 4:1 clear is generally thinner clear but not quite as nice.

A trade secret for you.... The only person that knows 100% what clear you used is YOU. Not even the paint manufacturers can determine 100% brand in their own labs once sprayed.

Show us some before and after pictures and the one you ended up using.

[heavymech]

⬆ Awesome insightful answer Foot Stomper!

[Bigboy4613]

Did you sand and buff the clear?

[aod92]

Originally Posted by Bigboy4613

Did you sand and buff the clear?

Yes, it's been sanded and buffed. It looks great I just want it to be better. This is what it looks like now. Up post some after pictures when it's done.

[aod92]

....

[Bigboy4613]

What grit paper did you start with? Nice truck by the way

[projectking]

+1 for SPI universal

[hugger6933]

How is your dust situation? Meaning how clean is the place you work? If dirt could be a problem go with Omni's MC270[quick clear] It is dust free in 5 to 10 min whereas their MC261 high production clear is 20 to 30 min to dust free. That is a huge difference in that area.
I have sprayed hundreds of gallons of it, any time I think of changing I go back to the dust free time and stick with MC270. Until my paint booth get a much needed rebuild[ it is a DeVilbiss semi downdraft]but irt is a little over 25 years old, I will spray out my good ol 270