Clear Coat Suggestions

I've been watching youtube videos on how to fix the clear coat on my '08 Taco without sending it to a paint shop. Seems as if wet sanding starting around 1000 grit until its all smooth and ready for a clear. What is a good clear coat spray I can use that won't react with the paint? Mine is painted Indigo Ink blue. Thanks in advance!

 

For small projects (like headlights) I've had great results with SprayMax 2K Clear Glamour. Interesting two-component in one rattlecan paint, but it works well.
https://www.spraymax.com/en-us/products/product/clear-coats-and-spot-blender/2k-clear-glamour/



Note the PPE requirements! The chemistry used to make such a durable coating needs serious care in handling. And note also that as a catalyzed two-component paint it has a pot life -- one needs to finish during the day one activates a can for the most part.

The SprayMax website has lots of application tips on spot repair, including spot repairs of clearcoats.
https://www.spraymax.com/en-us/applications/#c472

 

You've personally tried this on headlights with long term success? Reason I ask is because SprayMax also makes a 2K clear specifically for headlights. You can't just use any clear over polycarbonate, it has to be a special formula to properly adhere to it and not crack or have issues over time. Just curious if you can confirm if this one also works on headlights or not.

 

I can vouch, this is probably best clear you'll find in a rattle can. Pricey yes. But as close as you'll get to pro-grade in an aerosol.

 

Thanks! Will give it a shot. Since the clear on my roof is shot, I'm going to do the entire roof. Would one can be enough?

 

Indeed I have used SprayMax 2K Clear Glamour on headlights with good results, @Saskabush. "Long term" is relative, but I redid the headlamps almost four years ago on my 2008 Lexus RX350 in August 2021 and the lights look today exactly like they did when finished back then. This on a car that lives outside year long.

SprayMax 2K Clear Glamour was originally recommended to me by the online store where I buy my paints (https://repaintsupply.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooBPkLldyULOnXgYOncS7HrH-zJ9u69L56StjzlyfD_JmL_pWJp). The guys there did their Econoline van a few years before and were very pleased with how it was holding up.

This is pure speculation, but it would not surprise me if the SprayMax headlight coating is the same product as the 2K Glear Glamour. IIRC, there was no specific headlight coating when I did mine.

Here are some pix:

Before (September 2018 -- note weathering of the clearcoat on the PC lens)


During (I used a 2000 grit Micro Mesh pad for final wet sanding)


Finished (August 2021)

 

I'd double-check the coverage guidance SprayMax give for one of their cans at the recommended film thickness. I'd say you're into "probably" territory -- which isn't completely reassuring, 'cause one certainly doesn't want to do part of a roof when its underway!

 

Your clear coat is going to continue deteriorating on the entire truck. Repairing a little here and there is going to be a non ending pain in the ass. If you plan to keep that truck for awhile then you either need to get it painted or wrapped.

 

Yep. I've had the truck since I got it brand new. For a 17 year old truck with almost 150K on it, it better last a while.

 

The clear coat on my 2009 started peeling a few years ago. I bought it new and have only 112000 miles on it. I had it painted 4 years ago. Looks like new, love that truck. It ain’t cheap but you can either paint it or let it turn to rust.
I used Maaco and for the truck and camper shell it was $2500. A lot of people bad mouth Maaco but they did a great job on my truck. 4 years later still looks new.
Here’s a pic of the truck recently.

 

Damn that does look good

 

Appreciate the feedback! I would say four years outside is plenty proof that it holds up long term. You hear a lot of people say that X product (like Meguires or anything that comes in a restoration kit) works great on initial application but then needs to be redone a year or two later. So I like to make sure, both for myself and anyone else who might read this. I just did the research for my wifes headlights and bought some Headlight Clear. So far SprayMax is seems to be the only manufacturer (that I can find readily available anyway) to make a long lasting clear coat for headlights. Just had never heard of Clear Glamour before, but that would make sense if they renamed/replaced it with Headlight Clear now.

 

I used Meguiars heavy duty headlight restoration about 5 years ago. My headlights were major oxidized. They came out looking like new and after 5 years still look like new. Most all restore kits do a good job clearing the lens. The problem is after you restore them there is zero UV protectant left in the plastic lens. So after a few months they start to oxidize again. The secret is to apply a UV protectant. I use Meguiars headlight coating UV protectant. It says to apply it once a year but I do it twice a year. Just tape around the headlights and spray it on. Easy peasy. My truck is outside 24/7 and my headlights still look new. They have not oxidized since. Here’s a pic that’s a year or so old (about 3.5 to 4 years after I originally did them). They still look the same today. So restore them however you want and use a UV protectant to keep them clear.

 

Interesting. That kinda tracks with what I had learned. Seems like the UV protectant in those kits is more similar to a ceramic wax than a permanent clear coat. And I would assume that most people simply aren't doing the yearly recoating of the UV protectant, which is why you mostly hear that kits like this only last a year or so. But seems to be effective if you stay on top of it, like you've done.

Sounds like really the only permanent fix is the SprayMax clear coat then. But good to know that those who don't want to deal with the application process (both PPE and environment) of this stuff can have success with the restoration kits as long as they keep applying the UV protectant regularly.

 

Just had an interesting conversation with one of the painters here at work. I work for a local company that makes aircraft parts with their own dedicated paint shop. One of the painters also paints cars on the side and has been doing that for around 15 years and her work is thought highly of. We talked about me redoing the clear coat myself and she said had to be really careful but it could be done etc. She also said if i got the supplies, she'd repaint my entire truck plus clearcoat for $400. All in a day on a saturday as she has access to a booth. Is a day enough time for all? Thoughts on this?

 

I'd jump on that. $400 for a full vehicle is a great price.

 

Now, the iffy side is that she said she'd do it in a single day. I'm thinking to myself, I don't know about all that.

 

Sounds like you’d be getting a maaco quality job at an even cheaper price

 

That doesn’t sound right. The prep itself using a couple of people would take a day or more. But if you are considering it tell her you want to see a couple vehicles that she has painted. If they look good then go ahead and consider it. Ask her what exactly she does to prep the truck. I do see a lot of potential problems with this though.
If you take it to an auto body paint shop you are probably looking at between $5,000 to $8,000. That’s too much $$$ to spend on a 17 year old truck. I’d take it to a couple of shops for estimates and I’d take it to Maaco for an estimate. Then decide.

 

RUN, don’t walk, to take her up on that offer!