Clear coat options

[jkokura]

Yes, it's a much talked of topic. I've searched and read all the posts, and I think I've even started one before. Nonetheless I have some questions about products...

1. Anyone used this stuff before? It's waterbased, claims it will never yellow, and I'm not sure if it would work over the vinyl decals on top of the acrylic paint or Powdercoated enclosures I use. I'm tempted to just try it, but I wanted to ask first. I also have a question about application, but see #3 below...

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/PaintStains/WoodStains/PRD~0489857P/Varathane%252BDiamond%252BExterior%252BFinish%25252C%252BWater-Based.jsp

2. I've used a similar product, just made by a different company. I have trouble getting it think enough to make the edges of decals 'disappear.' I'd like to not be able to feel the edges of my decals if it's possible, but they're at the edges of the top, and it's pretty hard to get thick enough there anyway. The other problem I've had is the edges of my decals curling up when I've baked the enclosures after clear coating with this kind of product. I thought that getting a thicker coat would stop that, and I can't seem to do it well. Any thoughts?

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/PaintStains/SpecialtyPaints/PRD~0481500P/Krylon%2525AE%252BAcrylic%252BCrystal%252BClear.jsp

3. I've seen some advocates of the Polyurethane for getting a good thick, durable coat - problem is that if you apply it with a brush you'll get stroke marks that will require you to bake it, but then it yellows. That's why #1 seems attractive to me, but I'm not sure if it's a better alternative. So anyway, my main question about this one is - is there a way to apply it without needing to back out the brushmarks so it doesn't yellow? I'm using white powdercoated enclosures which will definately show of that yellowing in a poor way. It'd be fine for stuff for myself, but I'm going to be selling these pedals.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/3/HouseHome/PaintStains/WoodStains/PRD~0480807P/Minwax%252BFast-Drying%252BPolyurethane.jsp

If there is another product out there that gives me a good thick coat that hides the decal edges, a durable finish that adheres well over decals, acrylic and powdercoated enclosures, doesn't yellow when baked OR needs baking? I need a good finish on these things...

Jacob

[darron]

i've had good luck using a spray can polyurethane clear of at LEAST one coat. it's chip resistant and designed for spraying directly onto aluminium car wheels... how can you go wrong with that?

allow it to air dry for at least 24 hours before you bake it though otherwise you can get some yellow.... spraying 3 coats with 10 minutes or so in between makes it very durable.

[GibsonGM]

One little trick is to get your coat VERY dry, then lightly smooth it with #0000 steel wool.  That's 4 zero ;o)  Anything rougher will begin to remove the coat.  Go lightly, just buff it a little!  1 stroke across the box, then move to the next swipe.  Should take about 20 seconds to do.  Blow off, or use a nice clean rag, and coat it again.   Repeat.   By the time you get 3 coats, the decal edges should be about gone....

[jkokura]

One little trick is to get your coat VERY dry, then lightly smooth it with #0000 steel wool.  That's 4 zero ;o)  Anything rougher will begin to remove the coat.  Go lightly, just buff it a little!  1 stroke across the box, then move to the next swipe.  Should take about 20 seconds to do.  Blow off, or use a nice clean rag, and coat it again.   Repeat.   By the time you get 3 coats, the decal edges should be about gone....

Would this approach remove brush strokes also?

What makes this approach hard to commit to is the sheer volume of time. One coat takes 10 minutes to spray, then it's fully dry one week later. By the time I get 4 coats in it's been a month. Or have I got the drying time wrong? That's what my acrylic clear can says - 7 days to full dry.

Jacob

[jkokura]

K, so I picked up some of the acrylic spray clear, satin finish. I also picked up some of the waterbased poly stuff to test. I'm going to put some decals on an enclosure bottom I'm not using, or two, that have some white acrylic spray on them. I'm going to test the two, see if I can A) make the decal edges disappear, either with the method above or some other ideas I have, or B) see if I can bake them without the Decals curling or the clear coat going yellowish. If I can do both of those things with one or the other product, I'll make sure I talk incessantly about it. If I remember, pictures will accompany.

Jacob