Universal Clear - first experience

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PatG

Hi Guys
Shooting Univ Clear 2.1 for the first time today. Normal activator. Shooting outside in driveway, about 75 degrees in sunny Sacramento today. Used a Tekna Copper with 1.3 tip and 24 psi at the gun. Came out pretty well - a little orange peel and a couple runs. I shot it over PPG DBU basecoat and let it flash about 20 minutes between clear coats. Two clear coats total. When I layed it on thick, like I wanted it to look, I did get a couple runs but nothing I can't fix.

So how long does this clear take to flash and to dry? It seemed to take an awful long time to become non-tacky. Even after a couple hours, it still would take a gentle fingerprint. I thought it would flash/dry/harden much faster on a warm day. I certainly couldn't have buffed this after a couple hours, as technical manual indicates. Thoughts?

By the way, I only painted the bumper...

IMG_2388.jpg
 
This clear dries as it cools. I would park it in the shade for a little while and let it come down to the air temp. I bet it is currently in the 110 range.
 
Film Build is also a factor. The more build, the longer the cure time and flash time.
 
Just as info, It was about 75 degrees outside. Panel temp was around 90-95 degrees on sunny side and around 75 on shady side (perils of driveway painting). Checked several with my trusty HF infrared thermometer.
I did lay clear on thick (trying to apply the clear as I wanted it to look when dry). So I probably have pretty good film build on the bumper (two coats).

Question. With this thick film build approach, how long do you wait between coats for a two coat job? and for a three coat job? I clearly can't wait until the clear passes the thumb print test. That would require between one and two hours under what I thought were nearly ideal temps for painting. Also, do you guys recommend maybe a thinner film build and more coats? I think that would have resulted in a bit more peel but that would easily color sand out.

Thanks for tips. I'm very happy with the job. Need to block the runs and sand out a few bug tracks and it will be a very respectable repair. Also painted a new front bumper and new fender. Total $550 in parts/supplies for what would probably have been a $2,000 repair in a shop.

Pat
 
Im sure some of the pros deviate from this for one reason or another, but Barry told me 30 minutes between coats of clear is perfect. I bet if you let the panel cool down it would pass the thumb print test in 30 minutes.
 
Adding reducer would probably be illegal in California, wait overnight before buffing-what's the hurry?
 
what if its spi cali legal reducer? i dont spray uv heavy anymore unless its the final coat over thin to medium coats that have 30 min flash time in nice weather... ive found i like thinner multiple coats...
 
Thanks for responses. Not in a hurry. Just wanted to know what I should expect so that I feel like I am using the product correctly. I do get a lot of bugs (they love the smell of UV Clear, I think) and the faster that the clear sets up, the less cutting and buffing of little bug tracks or dust in my finish. If you reduce Universal Clear, how much reducer do you use. I'm a private driveway painter, so don't have to worry too much about State regs and use of reducers. Also, at 30 minutes, should you be able to tack off the Universal Clear? Or is it still pretty sticky? Just want to know what your experience is so I can try and duplicate it.

Thanks again

Pat
 
Pat,
The flash time on the 4100 is longer then the 4000, in your case I would guess flash time was 8-14 minutes, depending on gun adjustment.
DO NOT confuse flash with finger print, mark or thumb nail as they are two different things.

It may finger print for 2-4 hours depending on a lot of factors, may thumb nail for six months or 24 hours and neither is a concern.

Sounds like you did everything perfect!
 
Barryk;17906 said:
Pat,
The flash time on the 4100 is longer then the 4000, in your case I would guess flash time was 8-14 minutes, depending on gun adjustment.
DO NOT confuse flash with finger print, mark or thumb nail as they are two different things.

It may finger print for 2-4 hours depending on a lot of factors, may thumb nail for six months or 24 hours and neither is a concern.

Sounds like you did everything perfect!
Click to expand...

Thanks Barry
 
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