After buying a new car or repainting an old one, we all think that our vehicles will stay this way forever. It’s only when the paint starts to fade or oxidize that we rush everywhere, looking for solutions.
The wearing of a car’s clear coat is a normal process that will happen after a while. If you regularly take care of your car’s paint, the clear coat will last for longer.
Anyway, if your clear coat looks worn out, you may be thinking about reapplying it. But before you do, please take note of the following;
• You can directly reapply a clear coat as long as the old base coat is in perfect condition. If the base coat is faded or scratched, you will have to begin from step 1, which is to reapply the base and a fresh coat of clear.
• Secondly, if the base coat is intact, make sure the clear coat you use is compatible with it. If you are planning to reapply a clear coat on a used car, this option may not be ideal for you because you are not familiar with the type of paint used as the base coat.
Table of Contents
- What is Clear Coat, and Why Do You Have to Reapply It?
- Can I Apply a Clear Coat Over the Old Clear Coat?
- Should I Remove the Old Clear Coat before Reapplying It?
- How to Reapply Clear Coat?
- Should I Spray the Base Coat When Reapplying the Clear Coat?
- DIY vs. Professional Clear Coat Reapplication
- Can Clear Coat Reapplication Cause Clear Coat Failure?
- Is Clear Coat Reapplication a Must?
What is Clear Coat, and Why Do You Have to Reapply It?
Clear coat is the car’s first line of defense. It is a transparent layer of paint that protects the body against corrosion and rust. After a while, the clear coat does get eaten away by the things it protects your paint from.
The likes of scrapes, scratches, and dings accelerate the speed at which clear coat breaks down. UV radiation also plays a crucial role in the wearing out of the clear coat. Also, if the application is done terribly, the clear coat will not hold on to the paint.
The main reason you should reapply a clear coat is to reinstate your paint’s first line of defense. If the old one is damaged or worn out, then your paint job is not protected.
Reapplying a clear coat is essential as it ensures your paint job is protected from the elements and lasts for the desired duration.
Can I Apply a Clear Coat Over the Old Clear Coat?
Well, this also depends on the condition of the old clear coat. You can reapply a clear coat over an old clear coat as long as the latter is in great condition. If your vehicle is experiencing clear coat failure or de-laminating, you must remove the old layer and apply fresh clear paint.
There are many risks of reapplying a clear coat over an old clear coat. It may not correctly hold on to the paint. And you may not get a deeper gloss as you would when you strip the clear coat and apply a fresh layer.
When it comes to the reapplication of a clear coat, the best advice we would give you is to strip down the old layer and apply fresh clear paint.
It may be easier for you to skip the process of stripping the old layers of clear coat, but at the end of the day, if you want the clear coat to last and look better on your car.
Remove the old coat and apply newer clear paint. Also, if the paint beneath is damaged or worn out, you should start the paint job from scratch.
Should I Remove the Old Clear Coat before Reapplying It?
In most cases, when you are reapplying a clear coat, the old one is definitely in terrible condition. This is why it is advisable to always remove the old clear coat before reapplying a new one.
When you spray fresh clear over one that is damaged or worn out, the finish won’t be glossy, and neither will it last for long.
How to Reapply Clear Coat?
Considering how essential removing a clear coat is when reapplying new paint, you must know how to do it correctly. This is why we will take you through a quick guide on how to go about this.
Most people prefer to avoid this step because they think it is time-consuming. And even though this is true to some extent, if you do not remove the old clear, the new one you reapply may not hold on better. And it may not look that good.
When removing a clear coat, you will need the following tools; some clear coat in aerosol spray, paint pen, or brush. You will also need some polishing compounds, wax remover, and sandpapers. To remove the clear coat below is a step-by-step guide;
1. Kick off the preparation by sanding with wet 1500-grit sandpaper.
2. Using your wax remover, get rid of any wax on the surface of the paint.
3. Ensure the surface is dry before you apply at least three layers of clear coat. The more you use, the better the level of protection you will get.
And you will also get a deeper gloss. You need to give enough time for each coat to dry. Apply even, and thin layers as this will prevent the clear from running off.
4. Though optional, you could also wet sand the surface using a 2000 grit sandpaper. This enhances gloss.
5. Give the clear coat at least a day to cure before you can buff the surface with a polishing agent.
While we are still on the removal and application of the clear coat, you need to know a couple of things. There are different types of clear coats ranging from satin, flat, semi-gloss, and eggshell.
Depending on the finish you wish to achieve, you should compare these different types. Additionally, painting is an art that requires skill.
Though anyone can do it, you need to do it right if you want the clear coat to hold and look good. Research thoroughly how to reapply a clear coat and familiarize yourself with the entire process.
Use quality paint, and if the process seems complicated, you can always take it to an auto body shop for a professional touch.
If you don’t want the new layer of clear that you have just reapplied to end up as the old one, always cover your car or park it in a shade.
UV rays contribute immensely to the wearing out of clear paints. Secondly, waxing also adds another layer of protection on top of the paint and the clear. This layer will ensure the clear lasts for longer.
Should I Spray the Base Coat When Reapplying the Clear Coat?
We have said that the best way to reapply ca lear coat is to remove the old one first. During the process of removing the clear coat, no matter how careful you are, you will remove some color/base.
This is unavoidable. Even though the amount of base coat removed is often minimal, adding another layer of base coat before reapplying clear doesn’t hurt.
Suppose you look at the recommended method of painting a car. Clear is often sprayed onto the base coat before it dries so that the two paints can cure simultaneously.
When you wet sand and apply clear directly, it may hold but not as well as it would have on a freshly painted base.
Therefore, if it is possible, after wet sanding and removing the old clear coat. Spray a coat of base, give it 30 to 40 minutes, and then spray your clear coat.
Doing this not only gives the car a more pleasant finish, but the clear coat will bond firmly to the paint. And will not come off easily.
DIY vs. Professional Clear Coat Reapplication
Both options have their pros and cons. Let us start by doing it yourself. When you spray a clear coat by yourself, the biggest advantage is that you save a lot of money.
The cost of hiring a professional to remove and reapply a clear coat can range from $500 to $10,000. You can spend an eighth of that amount in buying supplies and doing it yourself.
But if you are not an expert in this field, the final results may lack a professional touch. And this is why some people prefer to take their cars to body shops. You have to evaluate and compare both options before making a choice.
Can Clear Coat Reapplication Cause Clear Coat Failure?
The answer is both yes and no. When you are buying two-stage paint supplies for your vehicle, there is a reason you are advised to get the same type of paint.
Clear coat failure caused by reapplication happens when the paints used are incompatible.
If you have decided to reapply a clear coat, confirm the paint that was used on the base. This is the leading cause of clear coat failure after reapplication.
The issue could also arise when the clear coat is applied incorrectly or when the paint is exposed to elements and chemicals.
Is Clear Coat Reapplication a Must?
Yes, it is. If your current clear coat is worn out, you must reapply it if you want your paint job to last for long. The clear protects the paint, which safeguards the metal beneath from corrosion and rust.
If your car isn’t getting any protection from clear, the paint will wear out, the car’s metal will be exposed, and corrosion will occur.