Stupid question: Is the clear coat that they put on our cars the same as the one you buy in an aerosol cans at the store. If so, can't we put on extra coats on our own to protect the paint?

 

I don't think they are. Anyways, aerosol paints never go on smooth enough to look good.

 

Please don't try that with your G.

 

No no no, just wondering why if clear coating is so cheap that the auto manufacturers don't spray an extra couple of coatings... yes I'm very tired of staring at rock chips...

 

Whoa Whoa Whoa...step back 10 paces.


There are many reasons why there are only 2-4 layers of clear from the factory. One main one, is cost. Second, is reliability.

10 coats of clear, if done by 95%+ of the body shops out there is a recipe for disaster. More is not better, here. When paint cures, it hardens and shrinks. 10 coats means over time you will start to see cracking.

To date, the best deterrent to rock chips and defects is:

1) Clear Bra
2) Sealed/Waxed paint

A clearbra is like a clearcoat, but stronger. It is pliable and soft to the touch, but when hit with a rock/bug/debris, it just repels. Think of kevlar.

Keeping your vehicle detailed insures less contaminants to stick. Know that *just waxed* feeling? Just try to imagine your fingers gliding over the surface...Now do you see why much less sticks?


Please, whatever you do, stay away from re-clearing your car.

 

Not only is it a bad idea but they are not the same thing. Modern clear coats are applied in a solid state and are then baked on; they are not solvent based like the clear coat you buy at auto parts stores, so they are much harder, more durable, resistant to damage, longer lasting etc...

 

Thanks for your answers - I knew yoose guys were smart! My front bumper looks like the moon with all the little craters and everytime I look at it I curse teh car industry for not coming up with a better solution to the standards set by the EPA than just to use weaker paint.

I'll conclude this thread by saying the only thing I'll be clear-coating is my ATX PC case after I paint it and maybe some model cars.