this is a little off topic, and not for automotive use, but what is the best type of clear coat system to use over bare, freshly ground/welded steel? It's for indoor application. thanks in advance.
You might talk to your paint supplier (autobody paint store) and ask if they have a clear sealer; you could put a clear coat over that.
Hey, If your talkin' indoor application only, than any of the top line clears i.e. H.P.K. PPG , DuPont will all be good choices. Clear over bare metal for exterior application = trouble! Your "also ran" shop grade of clears would probably work as well, again for indoor use only! Swankey Devils C.C. "Meanwhile, back aboard The Tainted Pork"
Dupont actually makes a product to spray over bare metal that is clear and can be cleared over.It works as an adhesion promoter for the bare metal.It is quite pricy though.HOK has an adhesion promoter also that works well over raw aluminum.
I just went thru my ppg certification class and was talking to them about it and aparently they came out with a clear etch...sorry dont remember the number then you could use some dbc500 then any clear you want on it. The 500 is a clear basecoat/blender by the way.
Dupont used to make a clear sealer metal etch that worked great. We used to use it to do bare metal stuff years ago. Then in the late 90's it changed to a yellowish tint. They might have a product now. Let us know what you find. Give your paint stores a call. Call different ones that carry different products. Wil www.sakowskimotors.com
Thanks for the replies everyone! It's for some furniture projects I'm working on that are all going to have a fine ground finish on them. I'll talk to the guys at the paint shop next time I'm there about the clear sealer idea. I just thought I'd throw it out here because there is a lot of experience and ideas here. thanks!
a friend of mine did bare steel indoor railings - claer IMRON, took a few coats but handles the traffic
I have seen a lot of sand rail guys do a clear powder coat which seems to work good! The new thing for them is doing cool swril work on the bare metal and then do a clear or candy over top of it!! Hope this helps!! -COS
Have used Eastwood Diamond Clear with some success. Don't touch the bare metal at all. Finegrade scotchbrite, then with latex gloves, clean with rubbing alcohol. You will end up with fingerprints in rust under the clear if you shoot it in a place with any humidity. Don't ask how I know!