Everyone wants to make their cars shine like glass, but it can only be achieved by using the best car shine products. There are several ways to maintain car shine, and one of them is a clear coat. A clear coat is the best way to make your car shine like glass. It provides a mirror-like shine to your car paint and creates a protection layer to prevent paint from sun rays. Additionally, high-quality clear coats protect your car’s paint from corrosion and scratches. But low-quality clear coats are not UV resistant and cause flaking over time.
That’s why choosing the best clear coats for cars is very important. Many clear coat products are available in the market, but choosing the best one is tricky. Therefore, I am writing this post to help you choose the best clear coat for cars. But first, knowing how a clear coat works and what to look for before choosing the best clear coat for cars is essential.
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Buyer’s Guide
Before purchasing a clear coat for your car, consider some factors listed below. These factors affect the application process and the final results after applying a clear coat. You must look after these factors before purchasing for desired results.
Level of Activators
Slow: These clear coats are designed to apply at 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Using it at a cool time of day or below 80 degrees can cause imperfections in the paint.
Medium: Medium activator clear coats are considered the best product. This product is designed to use between 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fast: These are designed to apply at 70 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler. As these are fast actions, you can apply more coats of paint.
High-Solid Clear Coat
The high-solid clear coats have a high concentration of resin and small amounts of solvent as compared to low-solid clear coats. High-solid clear coats offer thicker coats, providing more UV protection and a deeper appearance. At the same time, low-solid clear coats flow better and offer thinner coats.
It’s optional whether the clear coat is high-solid or low-solid when you purchase one. What you want from the clear coat you will buy is up to you.
Ceramic Coating VS Clear Coat
Ceramic coating and Clear coat have the same functionalities as protecting vehicle base paint and adding more shine. The main difference of ceramic coating is that it increases the vehicle’s gloss in areas where waxing is unnecessary. Ceramic coating creates a hydrophobic surface.
On the other hand, a clear coating is better as it absorbs small chips and scratches caused by environmental factors. Some high-quality clear coats have a self-healing ability, meaning light scratches disappear or lessen after application.
6 Best Clear Coat for Cars
1. Sherwin Williams Finish 1 FC720 ($110)
Sherwin Williams Finish 1 FC720 is top on the list as it is designed to provide car paint the best protection and shine. It is a 4.29 VOC high solids, acrylic urethane-based clear coat. This product provides supreme-level blending and buffering. Its special formula is designed for spot and multi-panel repair. Finish 1 FC720 is a medium activator so you can apply it in a normal climate.
This product is made in the USA and offers a wonderful shine and protection from weather effects, scratches, and chemicals. But remember it’s not a product for beginners as it is recommended to use with a spray gun for best results.
Amazon Customers Reviews: This product has a rating score of 4.7/5
78% of customers give this product a five-star rating.
2. SprayMax 2K Glamour High Gloss Aerosol Clear ($40)
The SprayMax 2k Glamour High Gloss is one of the best clear coat for cars as it offers supreme quality protection and shine to car paint at a very affordable price. It’s a two-component clear coat aerosol spray that is easy to apply and provides long-lasting shine and a high-quality finish. It is perfect for beginners; open it, shake and spray.
The thing which makes this product best and different from others is its unique nozzle. While other clear coats require a paintbrush to apply. So, if you are new and want to apply a clear coat on your car, this product is ideal.
Amazon Customers Reviews: This product has a rating score of 4.7/5
78% of customers give this product a five-star rating.
3. Speedokote SMR-130 ($110)
Speedokote SMR-130 is another amazing clear coat with fast drying and healing times. This is a urethane-based clear coat and is specifically designed for automotive paint repair purposes. It offers easy buffering for your car’s paint job. It is weather-resistant, chemical-resistant, and high gloss, making your car paint job shine like glass.
After reviewing and testing this product, the Speedokote SMR-130 is the best Acrylic paint in many other clear coats. You can use any acrylic urethane paint on your car as they contain characteristics of both enamel and lacquer paints. Therefore Speedokote SMR-130 is the best choice as it’s easy to apply like lacquer and long-lasting like enamel. This product is a bit costly.
Amazon Customers Reviews: This product has a rating score of 4.6/5
74% of customers give this product a five-star rating.
Also Read: Best Car Wash Soap For Black Cars
4. KBS Coatings 8304 DiamondFinish Clear Coat ($45)
KBS 8304 DiamondFinish is also the best choice if you are looking for clear car coats. It features a single-part formula which makes it tougher than two-part clear coats. Additionally, this product can be directly applied to metal or other coatings and does not require any additives. The amazing thing about this clear coat is that it’s UV-resistant, non-toxic, and chip resistant.
The thing which makes this product unique in the automotive clear coat industry is that you can use it on various surfaces, not only on a vehicle. It is a long last clear coat and does not crack, peel or turn yellow. And this product is very affordable.
Amazon Reviews Score: This product has a rating score of 4.4/5
72% of customers give this product a five-star rating.
5. U-Pol Products 0796 Clear CLEAR#1 High Gloss Coat ($24)
U-Pol Clear#1 is another best clear coat for cars for a glossy finish. This clear coat gives similar results as a full compressor/spray gun. It dries very fast and gives a glossy finish. Clear#1 easily blend with existing 2k clear coats. As it is a spray clear coat, it is very easy to apply, just shake the can and spray it.
This product is highly recommended for significant touch-ups and other smaller vehicle parts. U-Pol Clear#1 is UV-resistant and compatible with water-based coats. With outstanding performance, it comes at a very affordable price.
Amazon Reviews Score: This product has a rating score of 4.4/5
74% of customers give this product a five-star rating.
6. Dupli-Color BCL0125 Clear Coat ($15)
Dupli-Color BCL0125 clear coat is an acrylic lacquer-based paint best for apply on large areas for touch-ups or vehicle painting purposes. This product is straightforward to apply and dry quickly, which allows users to apply more coats. It is regarded as a premium automotive paint due to its high quality and outstanding glossy finish.
The fantastic thing about this clear coat is that it’s a universal product you can use over any factory-applied finish. Dupli-Color BDL0125 features an EZ Touch 360-degree nozzle for smoother and even coats and offers a wide spray pattern. Its unique nozzle and side spray pattern make it a noticeable product among its competitors. Additionally, it comes in a meager price range with fantastic performance, making it unbeatable.
Amazon Reviews Score: This product has a rating score of 4.3/5
67% of customers give this product a five-star rating.
Final Thoughts
A clear coat is a great way to maintain your vehicle paint job. Every automotive industry applies a clear coat before sending vehicles to dealerships. But quality makes a significant impact if you are looking for a product to make your car shine for a long time. Many products are available in the market, but few of them can impact you. So, always do some research before purchasing a clear coat for your car because sometimes low-quality clear coats make your car look ugly.
All products we mentioned above are well-tested and reviewed, so please do not hesitate to purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best clear coat for cars?
After deep testing and reviewing many users, our team finalizes that Sherwin Williams Finish 1 FC720 is the best clear coat for cars. It beat many good competitors due to its protection and glossy finish.
Is it safe to spray a clear coat on my car?
Yes, it’s safe to spray a clear coat on your car, as many brands offer clear coats in spray cans. But remember to pick the best product if you are thinking of applying a clear coat yourself because some low-quality clear coats make your paint job look rough and dull.
How Much Does it Cost to Apply a Clear Coat?
When it comes to minor scratches, it costs around 100$ to 200$, depending on the complexity of the work. If you want to apply a clear coat on the whole car body, it will cost around 1000$, while the DIY option will cost you under 150$.
Is a Clear coat bad for your car?
No, a clear coat is not bad for your car, but it protects your car paint job from UV rays and scratches. Good quality clear coats also heal minor scratches on your vehicle. Most people apply clear coats for more gloss and protection from environmental factors.
What is the lifespan of a clear coat?
Clear coats applied by vehicle manufacturers can last up to 15 years, while most car manufacturers and clear coat manufacturers mentioned expected lifespan of a clear coat is 10 years on any vehicle.
Is a clear coat resistant to scratches?
Yes, primarily clear coats are scratches resistant. But it’s essential to pick the best clear coats for cars as many different products are available in the market, and most of them do not protect from scratches and UV rays.
What is the strongest clear coat?
Different types of clear coats are available, including acrylic, lacquer, urethane, and epoxy. Urethane-based automotive paints are tougher than acrylic water-based options. They last more than other formulas and are less disposed to chipping.
