Should I clear coat or not?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Should I clear coat or not?
Not sure what forum to post this in. I have painted several frames in the past. I just did this Bridgestone. Stripped to bare metal, primer, paint. It was painted with Rustoleum Cherry gloss protective enamel. Came out very good. Then I put on some decals. In the past I had then put a clear coat on. This looks so nice I'm afraid that a clear coat may not look as nice. My skills are only so good and I can screw things up worse than most. But I think I should clear coat to cover the decals.to protect them. Your thoughts?
Likes For Jicafold:
#2
Junior Member
Yes, I would definitely clear coat. it will protect the paint and decals. You did a great job on the paint and decals, and your skill will follow in the clear coating.
Likes For hrdknox1:
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 376
Bikes: Schwinn Del Mar, Schwinn Sanctuary, Schwinn Hurricane, Murray Actra, Eastern Shovelhead
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 139 Times
in
90 Posts
Super duper duper super nice job!!!!!
I painted a frame and have it on the back burner for a build. I've moved it around a few times storing it and had the chain attached to it. The dings are adding up quickly. It was my first attempt so I didn't know any better. I should've clear coated.
My gosh that's a beautiful job you did. I hear you about not wanting to screw it up but my guess is like the previous guy said, it'll stay looking beautiful longer if you clear coat it.
I painted a frame and have it on the back burner for a build. I've moved it around a few times storing it and had the chain attached to it. The dings are adding up quickly. It was my first attempt so I didn't know any better. I should've clear coated.
My gosh that's a beautiful job you did. I hear you about not wanting to screw it up but my guess is like the previous guy said, it'll stay looking beautiful longer if you clear coat it.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Sigh. I knew that was the answer all along. I just needed someone to say it. I will just need to be very careful. Thank you for your advice
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 376
Bikes: Schwinn Del Mar, Schwinn Sanctuary, Schwinn Hurricane, Murray Actra, Eastern Shovelhead
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 139 Times
in
90 Posts
I totally get where you're coming from. It's like you wanna leave well enough alone. It does look sooooo good. My guess is clear coat will only make it look better though. You did so good so far. You know what you're doing.
Likes For 3S1M:
Likes For JayKay3000:
#9
The dropped
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 2,144
Bikes: Pake C'Mute Touring/Commuter Build, 1989 Kona Cinder Cone, 1995 Trek 5200, 1973 Raleigh Super Course FG, 1960/61 Montgomery Ward Hawthorne "thrift" 3 speed, by Hercules (sold) : 1966 Schwinn Deluxe Racer (sold)
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1739 Post(s)
Liked 1,014 Times
in
696 Posts
Things to consider
- Dings through the clear coat can't be repaired easily.
- Any imperfections in your color coat are magnified under the clear coat.
- Did you prep the color coat to accept a clear coat? You'll have some wet sanding in your future if you want a good bond.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,095
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 1,292 Times
in
744 Posts
- Dings through the clear coat can't be repaired easily.
- Any imperfections in your color coat are magnified under the clear coat.
- Did you prep the color coat to accept a clear coat? You'll have some wet sanding in your future if you want a good bond.
#11
With a mighty wind
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,595
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 862 Times
in
490 Posts
I painted a carbon fork with the same paint last week. It looked amazing and the clear coat screwed it up. It caused the paint to raise up and look like cracked dry mud underneath.
I was told that it was because I didn't give it enough time to cure, 24 hours instead of 48+
I stripped it down and did it again. This time it got a week to dry.
I tried it on a test piece,a scrap of tape that had been over sprayed, it looked good. Once the clear coat hit the fork though, paint lifting up, ripples, cracks. That was today. I'm going to let it dry overnight and see in the morning, but I bet that I'll end up stripping the fork a second time and starting over.
I've got the same paint as you but a krylon clear coat. They are obviously not compatible.
The ****ty thing is, after wet sanding with 3000 grit and lots of love with polishing compound, it looked great. It would totally have been great to just stop there and install it on the bike.
If you clear coat, find a pipe and paint it as a test. Like a nice big thing to test on. Something that you can really examine in the sunlight.
I was told that it was because I didn't give it enough time to cure, 24 hours instead of 48+
I stripped it down and did it again. This time it got a week to dry.
I tried it on a test piece,a scrap of tape that had been over sprayed, it looked good. Once the clear coat hit the fork though, paint lifting up, ripples, cracks. That was today. I'm going to let it dry overnight and see in the morning, but I bet that I'll end up stripping the fork a second time and starting over.
I've got the same paint as you but a krylon clear coat. They are obviously not compatible.
The ****ty thing is, after wet sanding with 3000 grit and lots of love with polishing compound, it looked great. It would totally have been great to just stop there and install it on the bike.
If you clear coat, find a pipe and paint it as a test. Like a nice big thing to test on. Something that you can really examine in the sunlight.
#12
Sr Member on Sr bikes
You did a great job! Looks awesome. Word of caution though...years ago a frame that I striped and painted with a "rattle can" came out looking nice...initially. Two-tone...one of the colors was white. I decided to spary a clear-coat and somehow once it dried...on the white it took on a slight greenish hue. Maybe I used cheap (or the cheapest) clear coat spray...I dunno. But I'm just saying pay for the good stuff so that it doesn't FUBAR the nice job you've done so far.
Dan
Dan
Last edited by _ForceD_; 03-28-20 at 09:59 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Should have done that. I will wet sand around the decals.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 376
Bikes: Schwinn Del Mar, Schwinn Sanctuary, Schwinn Hurricane, Murray Actra, Eastern Shovelhead
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 139 Times
in
90 Posts
Now I'm curious. What did you end up doing??
#15
Full Member
Not sure if the OP has painted this yet but if I can still offer some advice I'd say yes to clear coat but use a 2 pack system like SprayMax 2k. At $20 a can it's not cheap but it's way more durable than usual clear coat paints.
Last edited by bluehills3149; 04-03-20 at 09:32 PM.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 659
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 195 Post(s)
Liked 207 Times
in
126 Posts
My opinion only!! Too many things can go wrong. Hopefully you wet sanded before putting on the decals so just wax it. I've had cracking, lifting and messed up decals from clear coat. Yeah, clear coat provides more protection but a nice wax will help with less chance of something going wrong.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 376
Bikes: Schwinn Del Mar, Schwinn Sanctuary, Schwinn Hurricane, Murray Actra, Eastern Shovelhead
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 140 Post(s)
Liked 139 Times
in
90 Posts
Well I apologize for giving bad advice. I didn't realize clearcoating could pose so many problems. I thought it was just more durable with it on.
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Still waiting to clear coat. I buggered up one of the decals on the other side. So I'm waiting for a replacement. I used that 2K Spray Max once before. Eh...it's ok.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 727
Bikes: Current: 2016 Bianchi Volpe; 1973 Peugeot UO-8. Past: 1974 Fuji S-10-S with custom black Imron paint by Stinsman Racing of PA.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 215 Post(s)
Liked 204 Times
in
142 Posts
From my experience with clearcoating over the years, if the base coat and clear coat are not from the same manufacturer or have been tested by someone first, you are taking a BIG gamble. Typically it looks like orange peel or crinkle coat under the clear. Decals are a whole separate ball of wax. The decal maker can usually tell you what type of paint NOT to use, but cannot guarantee any untested combinations. Lacquer is a no-no with many wet transfer decals. They will instantly craze.
I have found Rustoleums are particularly difficult as are most rattlecan paints unless from the same maker. Cheap clearcoats often yellow under UV of the sun and can yellow in the bottle or can from age..
Also with a successful trial and error with clearcoat (or any high-gloss paint), a big old bug named Murphy will often land right on the perfect surface.
I have found Rustoleums are particularly difficult as are most rattlecan paints unless from the same maker. Cheap clearcoats often yellow under UV of the sun and can yellow in the bottle or can from age..
Also with a successful trial and error with clearcoat (or any high-gloss paint), a big old bug named Murphy will often land right on the perfect surface.
#20
1/2 as far in 2x the time
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 1,746
Bikes: Yes, Please.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 499 Post(s)
Liked 285 Times
in
222 Posts
Without clear coat decals will last until the first time you try to clean the bike, if you're anything l like me. (I am not neurotically careful).
As far as wet sanding clearcoat over the decals, Just do a couple of extra light passes over it, if you're not sure about the coverage... wet sanding with 1200 and finer grades won't remove too much, too quickly if you're careful and pay attention...
Wet polished clearcoat with 2500 grit (taken on a somewhat overcast day, under overhanging roof)
4 years later, last ride of 2019 December 23. Different wheels, saddle and brake cables, but still glossy.
Last edited by Last ride 76; 04-07-20 at 03:40 PM.
#21
1/2 as far in 2x the time
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 1,746
Bikes: Yes, Please.
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 499 Post(s)
Liked 285 Times
in
222 Posts
What types of paint have you applied it over? By brand and specific paint name please... I have some but have not tried it yet. Thanks, Eric