Several layers of clear coat will slightly darken the car paint. But at the same time, it will add gloss and this is what most detailers or car owners are usually after.
Naked car paint will look very different when two or three coats are added on top of it. The clear coat affects how light is reflected on the car paint and this is why it looks slightly darker.
Even though a clear coat darkens paint, cars can’t live without it because of the protective benefits it offers. Most people love applying clear coats because it makes car paint glossy.
However, other than aesthetics, the main purpose of a clear coat is to add a protective barrier on top of the paint. This barrier protects the paint from damage.
Regarding a clear coat’s ability to make paint darker, there is another thing that can contribute to this result. The type of paint you use determines the extent clear coat will darken your car paint.
If you use automotive paint, then a clear coat will slightly darken the paint. If you are not keen you may not even realize a change in color of naked car paint and one that has a clear coat applied on top of it.
Spray paint is designed to give off a finished look. And that’s why you can just spray paint a car and leave it that way. When you add a clear coat to spray paint, the finish is going to darken.
So, the bottom line is, that the clear coat can darken car paint. However, if you use automotive paint, it won’t have much of a darkening effect unlike when you use spray paint.
Does Car Paint Darken As It Cures?
Not at all. Car paint neither lightens nor darkens as it cures. And if you are painting a certain part of your car and you notice that the color is lightening or darkening while it cures, you probably applied the wrong paint code.
As terrifying as the above may sound, it’s true. Color matching a car isn’t usually the easiest thing to do. And a lack of experience and knowledge in car painting only makes it worse.
If you have noticed that your car paint has darkened after it has cured and you have applied several layers of clear coat. Understandably, the first thing to blame will be the clear coat.
However, as discussed earlier, a clear coat only slightly darkens automotive car paint. The change is so little that most people can’t tell the difference. In a scenario where you were painting only the bumper.
Once you are done painting and applying a clear coat only to realize a color change, do not blame the clear coat but confirm if you got the right paint color for your car.
When painting a car, you should look at the VIN so that you can identify the exact color. Failure to do that will always result in having either darker or lighter paint.
Can Too Much Clear Coat Darken Paint?
Not at all. Even if you apply more layers of clear coat, the most common outcomes include dieback, delimitation, the appearance of a soft film, and splitting.
So far, there have been no reports that attribute the application of too much clear coat to the darkening of paint. Be as it may, why would one apply many layers of clear coat?
That’s a lot of work that doesn’t have any advantages. The recommended amounts of clear coats that should be applied on car paint shouldn’t exceed four.
And as you apply the two or three coats of clear, ensure that the first is applied lightly. If you go in too thick, the coat may shrink and crack later on.
You must find a balance between the thinness and thickness of clear coats if you go in too thin, then a clear coat won’t be glossy.
What about Lacquer?
Lacquer thinners are known to slow down or speed up the drying process of car paint. And it does not darken the paint.
The issue with some lacquer thinners is that they are known to turn yellow or orange. But not darken car paint. This brings us back to our number one culprit which is using the wrong paint color.
Can Sanding the Clear Coat Lighten Car Paint?
Sanding of the clear coat has more to do with adding gloss than lightening or darkening the car paint. To achieve that new and glossy finish, you should sand the clear coat with 400 grit sandpaper. This will smoothen it out and give you a world-class finish.
Is It Possible to Lighten or Darken Car Paint?
When painting a car, you can either lighten or darken the paint. Please note that this process doesn’t involve the use of a clear coat in any way because the latter can’t give off a noticeable darker shade.
The layers of clear only affect light reflection and make the car paint look slightly darker. If you want to darken a car’s color, you should add a touch of black paint.
And if you want to lighten it, only add a touch of white paint. That is the only way you can darken or lighten car paint.
Does Clear-Coat Change Car Color?
If your color has been painted white or black, when you apply a clear coat, the color will remain to be white and black. It does not change the color of your car paint.
The only thing a clear coat does is enhance gloss and shine whilst protecting the car paint. If you want to change the color of your car paint, you should use another color.
Is Clear Coat a Must?
When you ask an expert detailer, they will tell you that a clear coat is a must more so because of its ability to improve aesthetics as well as protect the paint.
However, depending on the type of paint you use, a clear coat isn’t always a must. Some auto paints come with finishes that cure into a shiny and smooth surface.
However, ordinary auto paint doesn’t contain such. To be on the safe side, we highly recommend the application of a clear coat if you want your paint job to look better and last for longer.
Will My Car Paint Darken If I Apply A New Clear Coat?
After a while, the clear coat gets eaten away by impurities that make contact with the car’s surfaces.
To continue enjoying the protection provided by a clear coat, you should apply a new layer(s). When you do so, the paint will slightly darken but it won’t be visible as is the case with adding black paint to your car paint before applying it to the car.
Before application of a clear coat, remember that the surface has to be sanded and polished to remove scratches and blemishes on the paint.
Why Does My Paint Look Darker After Applying Clear Coat?
If you apply a clear coat on top of spray paint that has a finished look, the final result will be darker. However, when you apply a clear coat on top of automotive paint, it should be slightly darker.
If it’s completely dark then there is something that you may have done wrong with the paint application or you may have bought the wrong paint.
Are the Darkening Effects More Visible in Brighter or Darker Colors?
In bright colors such as white or red, the darkening effects of a clear coat are less visible. You may not even notice the difference. However, in darker colors, a clear coat tends to add a darker look.
Remember, they are called clear coats for a reason. The layers of clear coat are see-through and are only meant to add gloss and offer protection. Not to change color, darken, or lighten it.
What Happens If Clear Coat isn’t Applied Correctly?
Similar to car paint, a clear coat must be applied properly. If not, it won’t hold on to the paint and after a while, you will start seeing patches on the paint.
These patches give off the appearance that the clear coat is shedding off its skin. The biggest problem of clear coat failure is that it can’t be corrected.
You will have to remove the clear coat and apply a new one. If you got it wrong the first time, you will have better luck when you hire a professional.
Can the Clear Coat Lose Brightness or Darkness?
It has no color, so there is no way it can lose darkness or brightness. A clear coat can only look different depending on the environment the car is exposed to.
When in darkness, the clear coat can have a darker appearance, and vice versa when it’s exposed to the sun. Even though a clear coat doesn’t lose darkness or brightness, it can fade away.
A clear coat can fade faster when exposed to chemicals, harsh shampoos, acid rain, bird droppings, industrial fallout, and other things.
Even a touchless car wash can contribute to the removal of a clear coat from the car surface. You need to take care of the clear coat so that it can take care of your car paint.