Any coloration difference in ~clear coats~ -- wheel repair...

chefwong · 05-10-08, 10:17

uuggh. Coming home last night, exiting the freeway, I fishtailed ever so little that my rear touched the curb (it was raining and wet).

So the rear has a slight 3/4" gash on my brand new wheels.

Have not done a wheel repair in ages, but I just wetsand, prepsol, 3m Bondo, wetsand, paint and then clear. The paint I will use will be matching paint ...similar color characteristics of the powdercoat on the wheels.

I know clear is clear right ~optically ?? but before I start the repair, I'm curious have you guys ever notice a differentiation in opticalness between different brands of clear ?

AppliedColors · 05-10-08, 10:30

Nope. Clear is clear.

Wheels are so low on the car and have so many shadows and angles that your repair doesn't have to perfect and will still look GREAT.

By the way, prepsol before you wetsand.

Setec Astronomy · 05-10-08, 10:38

I specifically bought a can of clear enamel (as opposed to laquer) at Pep Boys for my last wheel touchup and have found that it has yellowed, to my dismay.

Stanger'66 · 05-10-08, 11:32

You want urethane clear. Lacquer and enamel don't hold up well to UV.

Setec Astronomy · 05-10-08, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanger'66

You want urethane clear. Lacquer and enamel don't hold up well to UV.

Now you tell me!

Stanger'66 · 05-10-08, 12:28

Haha, yeah, its a little late for you. The key is that the paint is catalyzed. You can't get a catalyzed paint out of a spray can so a gun is required. I would suggest Omni or Nason urethane clears. They are a little less expensive than the other lines and will do a great job on your wheels.

AppliedColors · 05-10-08, 04:28

I should clarify that you must use catalyzed urethane clear coat. There's tens of brands, but for wheels an inexpensive brand like Omni will work best.

There is actually a catalyzed urethane clear coat in a spray can:
PaintScratch 11.8 oz. Catalyzed Clearcoat (Spray Can)

I haven't used it and cannot comment on its quality.

Setec Astronomy · 05-10-08, 05:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by AppliedColors

There is actually a catalyzed urethane clear coat in a spray can:
PaintScratch 11.8 oz. Catalyzed Clearcoat (Spray Can)

Wow, really interesting product! I will caution any other readers of this thread to heed the isocyanate warnings on that page as I have heard of people getting into real trouble really fast spraying paints with polyisocyanates without the proper protection (as in cardiac irritation, intensive care, etc.).