How to Add a Clear Coat to a Painted Surface

Clear coat paint as the name suggests is essentially a type of paint with no pigment, thus it is clear. The clear coat layer can be applied over one or two coats of colored paint. In addition to offering a shine to surfaces such as car bodies the clear coat can act as a protective barrier between the elements and the colored paint itself. For wood surfaces use a wood stain clear coat and for metal surfaces use a metal clear coat such as auto body clear coating.

Ensure that the temperature where you will be applying clear coat is around 75 F. Anything lower than 55 F or hotter than 90 F may cause issues with the clear coat application process.

Cover any sections you don't want coated with the painter's tape.

Take the piece of practice material (wood if you'll be painting on wood, metal for surfaces such as cars) and place it on a flat surface. Grasp the can and push down the nozzle while moving the can slowly back and forth in front of the practice material. Watch how the flow comes out and adjust your movements until the coat is being applied evenly. As you move back and forth allow the spray to overlap already sprayed sections to avoid paint lines from appearing on the surface. If you are applying clear coat with a brush to wood, skip the next two steps.

Stand with the can 6 to 8 inches away from the surface to be coated. Verify that the paint already on the surface is fully dry.

Press down the nozzle and begin moving the can back and forth slowly allowing the clear coat to evenly spray on the surface. Make small adjustments in the distance from nozzle to surface and speed of your movement if spots on the surface are being missed. Remember to move the spray flow so that it overlaps already coated sections to prevent paint lines from being visible.

Open the can of clear coat and dip the brush into it. Move the brush across the surface in long and even strokes allowing the brush to overlap already coated sections. Re-dip the brush as needed until the entire surface is coated.

If your practice coating does not turn on evenly, flip the practice material over and try again remembering to overlap sections with the spray flow to get the method right.

If the flow seems uneven, gently shake the can to get the flow back to normal.

Do not apply clear coat in high humidity environments and apply it out of direct sunlight.

Do not apply in inclement weather.

Work in an area with good air flow to minimize inhalation of the spray fumes. Goggles and respirator mask are recommended.

References:

http://www.paintworldinc.com/article_how_to_apply_clear_coat_over_your_repair.aspx

Resources:

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bmpsweb/portals/bmps.portal;jsessionid=XSR1NjrJgFtk9q2zBLLG4mkypKhTpVgv4d0nxH9XKTk2VDQXmT5D!-1055699397?_nfpb=true&_windowLabel=contentrenderer_1_3&contentrenderer_1_3_actionOverride=/bm/cms/ContentRenderer/renderContent&contentrenderer_1_3cnp=public_site/articles/product_articles/pa_ext_woodstain_clearfinishes_decks_siding&contentrenderer_1_3np=productcatalog/product_pages/paint/prd_0636&_pageLabel=fh_findproducts

http://www.automotivetouchup.com/spray_paint.asp