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What clear to use

8K views 30 replies 12 participants last post by  deadbodyman 
#1 ·
Looking for a hs clear, a clear with excellent gloss and build that I can cut with 800 up. Wanting a good clear that will last. No cheap stuff. I can spray any type just looking for your ideas. Thanks
 
#3 ·
There are so many good clears out there it is just personal preferance, what you want to spend and what you feel comfortable spraying. Have used many different clears over the years PPG,Dupont,Prospray,etc.. One you may want to give a try that is a high solids clear, is the SPI universal clear. I have used this on 3 cars and you really can't beat it for the price, and it is a 1 to 1 mix, so you are actually getting 2 sprayable gallons. Lays down beautiful and buffs out excellent. Check out the SPI website or give Barry a call.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Of all the clears I have sprayed I really can't say there was a "bad" one. Have used the PPG 2021 on a lot of cars, but is very expensive. The prospray 7000 clear is a real good one as well and cheaper than the 2021. Have also used the FC720 finish 1 clear on a few cars (if you click on the bad stencil hood in my last photo that is the FC720 clear and that is out of the gun), but is not a high solids clear and is very cheap. I spray them all the same way, cut and buff all the same way and to be very honest if you lined all of them up I really don't believe that you could tell any difference in the finished results, where any one would stand out from the rest. Again just preference with which brand you would prefer and also what you would want to spend per sprayable gallon. Hope this helps.....
 
#7 ·
BarryK advised me to use PPG DCU2002 clear on my 34 because I wanted to stick with PPG products. The dork at the PPG store was trying to sell me a production clear:rolleyes:. Barry said for maximum durability and gloss retention PPG DCU2002 was most like SPI universal clear. I have not used SPI universal clear but I canassure you I am more than pleased with PPG DCU2002

Vince
 
#8 ·
I have not used the SPI materials yet but everything I hear about them is first class. Barry has repeatedly put help and service ahead of making a sale. I will be calling him for my next epoxy and/or clear. PPG has just priced themselves out of the market for me and it is the PPG that I am in the middle of redoing now.

John L
 
#9 ·
I like the SPI a lot.
I have used a lot of cheaper clears over the years and never had one that
didn't hold up.
Durability has never been an issue with any of them.
My choice for clear has been more for
ease of use, buffing, clarity, and availability.
There's not a brand out there that you can't find at least
one guy that hates it and another guy that loves it.:thumbup:
 
#15 ·
You cant go wrong with SPI products. I started using them about 8 years ago.. I only tried them out because everyone here was raving about the products and the customer service.. Fast forward 8 years and it is all I will use..
Ive used the Pro Spray high temp 7000 mentioned above, but it delaminated on a hood of a truck that had 3 coats shot, sanded with only 2000 and buffed.. Clear lasted only a couple of years before it started to split. When I approached the jobber about it, he asked if I still had the activator can because they had issues with a certain batch.. Really?? Im sure it was an isolated event, however since the jobber would not furnish more clear for the re do, I never used it again.. Their base and single stage I use on muscle cars, and clear over both with SPI

I have also used several gallons of the PPG 2002 clear.. Loved that clear, sprayed like glass, buffed like butter, held up and never saw it fail.. I compared my first purchase of SPI products to that clear as it was what I was using when I switched over along with some cheap off brands I bought locally that worked well for collision work etc..

AS mentioned above each manufacture makes good products, however you wont talk to the owner of PPG or Sikkens or Dupont.. You also wont talk to a chemist who formulates the clears and knows them inside and out.. With SPI you get it all.. An affordable clear that could easily demand top competitors prices, customer service unmatched in the industry and a product that has stood the test of time and proven out with many many backyardagains like myself :pimp:to the top Pro's in the industry..

Happy Spraying
 
#20 ·
I always called those hanger things "flow indicators"...but I've never gotten any...LOL.

I remember interviewing a prospective painter one time...he told me that he never had gotten a run in his entire painting career...I told him that he hadn't painted enough yet...shortest interview I gave a prospective painter.

Ray
 
#22 ·
This has been a good thread all the way through. It is one more example of the good things I read and hear about Barry and SPI. There always seems to be those people that take the other side of a discussion and complain about any company or product but I don't think I have heard anything negative about Barry's products or service. I am really anxious to get another project and get to play with my new spray gun Santa is bringing me.

LOL I typo'd Santa in the above sentance and it came out Sata.....Oh how I wish.:)

John L
 
#30 ·
I'm not sure I deserve this rap! Old Fool, you fly in from the north west and I will treat you to as many Crystals burgers you can eat.
Now, does that sound like a cheap person???? LOL
Fly? is that what you guys call a ride in the Graydog express?

Rich jetsetters get in areoplanes, us poor folk ride in the big motorcoach with the old dog on the side, LOL.
Merry Christmas to all :thumbup:
 
#23 ·
Well I'm looking forward to trying the SPI product in the New Year and John your right, this has been a good thread...I'm not a big fan of bashing product or people...if there's something I don't like about either, I try to avoid the product or person, if I don't know, I'll try to find out for myself and form my own opinion...If it comes to a situation where I have to defend my belief, I try to give reason and examples as to why....if the other side can convince me that I've made an error in judgement, I rethink my position...I think that's keeping an open mind and one of the worst thing that a person can do is always be right...in his own mind.

Ray
 
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