Clear Coat or not to Clear Coat? That is the question

[Opus]

Hi Gang,
Well the weather here is starting to break and temps are going to be in the mid 50's to mid 60's starting next week.
I started to repair and repaint the plastics on the bike when temps dropped to the point I could not paint outside and put everything on hold.

But my question is after I paint should I apply 3 layers of Clear Coat to the just painted parts?
I'm using a Semi-Gloss enamel paint and was told not to use a lacquer based clear coat as it will ruin the paint.

I'm also striping the old paint from the engine guards and repainting them also.

I will be posting the job later on!

Any helpful remarks out there would be great!. 

Thanks!

[Tuco]

I'm no expert but I would have to think that there are better choices than lacquer anything. Is there a enamel clear coat or do you go straight to urethane based clear coat? Again I'm no expert but I picked up a little during the time I worked for Napa Auto Parts.

[Brad-Man]

If you want it to stay semi-gloss, don't clear it...

[subforry]

I am sure you know this, but gas and brake fluid will eat any single part paint.

Aesthetically I prefer frames and the like to not be high gloss.  I do like high gloss on calipers, but lasts about 5 miles before they are dirty.

BTW the SEM 2k clear coat in can works very nicely but is $20 a can, although it seems like you have a spray gun.  And don't forget the pin stripes :-)

[mack75]

Hi, if using enamel the clear coat may adversely react, get an old plastic panel from a bike yard, paint it with your enamel and then apply your clear coat if no reaction then you are okay to use it on your new paint. Be careful with your fuel tank when refilling as petrol (gas) will react with the new paint if you get a spill.  You can now buy a special clear coat for fuel tank applications that resists petrol but I am not sure if even the special clear coat would react with enamel. Here in the UK celli paint is hard to get (good old health and safety nanny state again) and most paints are now water based. Our enamel is mostly synthetic and not the stuff of legend as of old :dunno2: