Help with choosing clear coat

[ct71rr]

Hi all, from what I’ve been able to search on here, it sounds like I should use either Universal or Production clear. This will be my first attempt at painting a car. I’ll be using a metallic paint from Wanda. Which clear would you all recommend? Thanks in advance!

 

[dhutton01]

Production is tougher to compound/polish and gets tough fairly quickly.

 

[AAE]

Depends on if you want a clear that's scratched resistant but gets harder to buff over time(production )or one that stays easy to buff for a long time (universal).

 

[AAE]

Euro is popular too.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Euro is the easiest to spray IMO. Would be my recommendation for a first timer

 

[Chevynutz]

How does Euro compare to universal as far as cut and buff window and cured hardness ?

 

[RosharonRooster]

I like euro. 1 / 1 /1.5 with slow/slow

 

[hapcj7]

Production is tougher to compound/polish and gets tough fairly quickly.

Agreed..Ive only used 1 clear from from SPI, and that was Production. I had a fairly hard time cutting and buffing. Cut and polish early, rather than later.Going to try the Euro next

 

[AAE]

How does Euro compare to universal as far as cut and buff window and cured hardness ?

Euro=hard short buff window. Universal=softer long buff window

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

None of the SPI clears though get so hard that buffing is super difficult. Follow the sanding steps, compound with a wool pad and Euro or Production will buff out fine. Big difference between SPI Euro and Production and cheap urethane clears. There is a difference between Universal and Euro/Production, but neither one is unbuffable a week later or even longer. Using a wool pad to compound and using the right compound is key. That and taking the color sanding scratches out to at least 2500 Buflex or 3000 Trizact.

 

[AAE]

None of the SPI clears though get so hard that buffing is super difficult. Follow the sanding steps, compound with a wool pad and Euro or Production will buff out fine. Big difference between SPI Euro and Production and cheap urethane clears. There is a difference between Universal and Euro/Production, but neither one is unbuffable a week later or even longer. Using a wool pad to compound and using the right compound is key. That and taking the color sanding scratches out to at least 2500 Buflex or 3000 Trizact.

Do you think that Sun exposure makes a difference in buffability?

 

[dhutton01]

Do you think that Sun exposure makes a difference in buffability?

I pushed my last SPI single stage out in the sun for a day. It’s production clear based. It was noticeably harder to compound and polish. I won’t do that again…. . A couple of hours max next time.

Don

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

Do you think that Sun exposure makes a difference in buffability?

Yes, but my point was that no SPI clear ever gets unbuffable. They will get harder to buff but it still is workable/doable. Wool pad for compounding is a must though.

 

[ct71rr]

Thank you all. I’m guessing the Euro 2.1?

 

[dhutton01]

No it's 4:1 or 4:1:X depending on how much you reduce it. Read the Tech Manual thoroughly. It will be included with your order and you can download it on the SPI website.

I think he means the low VOC 2.1 version.

So guys are not recommending the 2.1 version. They are recommending the high VOC version.

Don

 

[RosharonRooster]

I think he means the low VOC 2.1 version.

So guys are not recommending the 2.1 version. They are recommending the high VOC version.

Don

whatever is not for sale in california, i want to buy.

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

I think he means the low VOC 2.1 version.

So guys are not recommending the 2.1 version. They are recommending the high VOC version.

Don

 

[ct71rr]

I think he means the low VOC 2.1 version.

So guys are not recommending the 2.1 version. They are recommending the high VOC version.

Don

Yes, on the SPI Website, they list "Euro Clearcoat 2.1" and "Euro Clear 2020". The Euro Clear 2020 is not for sale in California. So, that is the one I should purchase?

 

[dhutton01]

Yes, on the SPI Website, they list "Euro Clearcoat 2.1" and "Euro Clear 2020". The Euro Clear 2020 is not for sale in California. So, that is the one I should purchase?
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Your profile says you live in Massachusetts so you don’t want the 2.1 VOC version.

 

[ct71rr]

Ok, thank you everyone. Sorry for the confusion. This is all new to me and I'm trying not to muck this up.