[S10 Racer]

Is it possible to clearcoat over vinyl decals? I am thinking of putting some decals on my boat but would like to have a slick finish. Thanks

[CQNRQY]

Originally Posted by S10 Racer

Is it possible to clearcoat over vinyl decals? I am thinking of putting some decals on my boat but would like to have a slick finish. Thanks

Many motorcycles are decaled and have clear coat over them

[Daz_uk]

If you want a smooth finish you need to clear then flat it back to get rid of the step around the decal and then clear again

[Highball]

I do Gold Leaf stripping on Fire Engines and I routinely put two coats of a clear coat over the work. The first to seal it and the second to increase the luster and leaf enhancement. Be sure you use a product for the Clear coat that is compatible with both the decal and the original pint surface it decal has been applied to.
Normbc9

[cboy]

This is more of a question than an answer, but personally I would have second thoughts about doing this, particularly if you have not discussed it with the maker of you decal.

The shop that did the vinyl decals for my sedan delivery was quite specific that there was a "life expectancy" for the graphics and that they will fade over time. My solution was to simply assume that every 3-5 years I'd have to remove the decals and replace them. And if I clear coated over it, that would not be possible.

But this raises the question...would the UV inhibitors in the clear coat prevent the fading of the decal to begin with? And that is where your decal supplier should probably be consulted. My guess is, depending on the original quality and inks used, that some would hold up while others might still fade.

So just something to consider.

[tech69]

that's a good point. So which would last longer in the sun.... uncleared base coat or a sticker?

[302 Z28]

Originally Posted by tech69

that's a good point. So which would last longer in the sun.... uncleared base coat or a sticker?

The sticker, uncleared base coat has little to no UV protection. Uncleard base coat could be compared to uncleared lacquer.

Vince