Best clearcoat over original art.

camperjohn

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I am going to be painting a clearcoat over now-finished artwork.

What do you suggest as the best clearcoat? I have a spray gun and want to avoid drips and runs, and want an even coat. I am paint overtop of a combination of latex and original enamel paints.

Here is the selection I saw at home depot. What do you think is best?

I have numbered them in the bottom corner to identfy the one you think is best.

cleargloss.jpg
 
what kind of art are you covering? Painted? decals? silkscreened? inkjet?
 
what kind of art are you covering? Painted? decals? silkscreened? inkjet?

I will be painting over the original 1986 artwork and 2009 repainted black. No decals. This would mean painted?

I tapped off the original artwork, and repainted the black on my 1986 High Speed. It looks fantastic, but now I want to give it a clearcoat to protect it all and make the shine consistant.
 
I just used some polycrylic over an asteroids original side art and some black paint touch ups. I used a brush, but I'm sure the spraying would work better. Polycrylic is one of the more expensive... and like $16 for a quart, so I'd be curious to know if anyone has any better alternatives that may be a few bucks cheaper. It's my second time using Polycrylic, the first time was over a combination of oil based and latex paint. I've found that with brushing it's hard to get a nice even shine with the Polycrylic gloss finish. The Satin finish polycrylic has a more even sheen to it. It could be my application though.
 
I'd use water based for sure. Polycrylic in the spray can with fan to will work great
 
i use the Minwax Polycrylic all the time. i use the satin finish type. the best thing about this stuff? it wont yellow!! i use a small roller to put a good coat on. the next morning its dry and it looks great!
 
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i use the Minwax Polycrylic all the time. i use the satin finish type. the best thing about this stuff? it wont yellow!! i use a small roller to put a good coat on. the next morning its dry and it looks great!

Does the roller not give it a bumpy look? I am naturally interested in a smooth perfect finish.

Do you get drips at all?
 
I spray all my clear out of a gun having used water based polycrylic, it was too thin & it made runs most of the time. Rolling might get you no runs, but nos as smooth as a spray gun. #7 was the best for a spray gun application. Im not sure how you intend to apply it.

FWIW, Spar clear is heavy duty, you dont need anything like that...
 
if you are after a perfect smooth finish then rollers shouldn't even be in the picture.
 
if its a playfield definately use automotive clearcoat!!!! for around 50-70 dollars you get a gallon that will last several projects ,and also the cabs too ......all you need is the gun and a compressor there is more to it that that but pm me and i can go into more detail
 
I bought a spray gun and compressor. So I think I will go with #7 as stated above.

Last call for votes on what to use, or I go with #7 :)
 
I bought a spray gun and compressor. So I think I will go with #7 as stated above.

Last call for votes on what to use, or I go with #7 :)

Pretty much everyone replied to use the polycrylic water based stuff but you're saying not to.. dont blame us when it mottles :)
 
I actually took the advice of the other forums, and manufacturer and used a brush on the backside as a test. If it brushed smooth on the backside of the machine then I will probably brush it on.

It does run really bad and it seems that a brush is needed to smooth out the lumps.
 
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