reason for clear coat?

[Jay87T]

what exactly is the reason for a clear coat? just for shine? Im going to powder coat a set of stock wheels on my motorcar and I plan on using a
Nickel Gold Metallic Polyester Flat, would I need a clear coat over this?

[Hemi-T]

The clear coat actually protects the color coat. Some colors are not very weather or chemical resistant on their own. Chrome powder is a good example. The clear coat protects the color coat and keeps it from discoloring or fading on it's own. I made the mistake of not clear coating some chrome powder I used. A year later, it doesn't look as good as it did when I finished the job. A clear coat would have prevented my problem. I'll be taking my project apart and doing it over again soon

Hemi-T

[Jay87T]

Fade

do most powder coats fade without a clear coat? would you recommend putting a clear coat over the "Nickel Gold Metallic Polyester Flat" seeing how this is a wheel and takes alot of wear and tear will it make it more durable?

[Fireblade]

If the gold you are using is a exterior coating then it will be fine, but a clear coat on anything will help the durability, since you have two coats to go through not just one. If you are using a flat gold, then you would want a flat clear as well. One more thing, if you decide to use the flat clear, spray a test piece with the gold then the clear, sometimes the color will change dramatically, and your gold that you liked may be something now you don't like.

[geeb57]

do you cure the color then clear and re-cure?

[WAORacing]

Yes that is exactly what you do.

[dagobert]

I asked this in a different thread, but was curious if it might get other opinions here in the powdercoating forum. Have any of you tried using clear powdercoating over an anodized surface, to use as a protective coating to prevent damage from rock chips, etc. ?

[drfjr1976]

Never have over anodized parts, but I have over polished parts and cheaply chromed wheels. works pretty good.

[Motorhead]

Have you had any problems with paint adhesion to the polished surface? Being a smooth surface I thought that the paint wouldn't get a good bite on the metal.

I've been wanting to try clear coating polished aluminum.

Gary

[Wkillgs]

I made the mistake of not clear coating some chrome powder I used. A year later, it doesn't look as good as it did when I finished the job.
Hemi-T

Hemi-T, Are you talking about the manifold you coated with the chrome? That looked soooo nice...has the finish degraded much, or just a little? Putting clear over chrome seems to degrade the finish from a 'polished aluminum' look to a 'painted silver' look... That's a shame.
Is there a preferred way to clear over the chrome powder?
Thanks,
Walt

[Hemi-T]

Yes, it is the tunnel ram and valley cover. They havn't degraded much, but being the critic I am, I can tell the difference. I might let it go another year and see how it looks. I want it to look it's best, but I also want to see how it wears

Hemi-T

[kyboy]

[quote="Hemi-T"]Yes, it is the tunnel ram and valley cover. They havn't degraded much, but being the critic I am, I can tell the difference. I might let it go another year and see how it looks. I want it to look it's best, but I also want to see how it wears

how long does your car set the sun, I have been told the sun fades the chromebad. I was going to powder my engine, but if it fades very bad,and the clear turns the chrome to a silver or gray color i will have to do something different :

[Hemi-T]

Actually, it spends very little time in the sun. It spends most of it's time in the garage, and gets very little weather. It does get car wash suds and engine degreaser a lot. The valley cover, tunnel ram, and carb riser are done in chrome powder, and the valve covers, tunnel ram emblem, and scoop butterflies are yellow powder. This photo was right after I coated them:



Chrome powder looks *very* much like polished aluminum and ceramic coated headers, so it matches all my aluminum accessories. Here is the whole car:



Hemi-T

[dagobert]

Son; can you say "Hemi"?!?!? (Nice ride!)

[Jay87T]

Swweet motorcar

daymmmmm...... I cant believe the size of the rear tires, I love that car
Nice work guy.