Paint / Clear coat question

[planovet]

Just a question about clear coat for those of you that have more experience than I do in painting. I have painted the sides of my tear. This was my first paint job anything like this. I used an acrylic enamel. I used such paint because I wanted an exact match with our custom built trailer. I researched other paints but I could not match up the colors. The trailer company used Valspar Acrylic Enamel in Standard Red. I decided to use the same paint on my sides so everything would match. My sides are baltic birch and I used 2 coats of CEPS, 3 coats of primer and 5 coats of the enamel. I do not have a sprayer and I was not willing to go through the learning curve for spraying. Also, I did not have a good place to spray. I ended up useing a thin foam roller and the finish looks really nice. Not as smooth as sprayed but I'm happy with the results. The finish also has a nice gloss to it. After doing a little research on acrylic enamels, I found that it's made to be used without a clear coat. But I also read where it can fade faster than a base coat/clear coat combination. I have also found enamel clear coats that can be used on top of an acrylic enamel paint job. My questions are these:

Do I really need a clear coat? The tear will be garaged when not in use and shouldn't be out in the elements too many days of the year. Will this help slow down the fading?

Will an enamel clear coat keep the enamel paint from fading so quickly? Does it provide extra UV protection?

If I do decide to clear coat, can it be applied with a roller like I did with the enamel? I know the finish will not be perfectly smooth but I liked the way the paint turned out.

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

[starleen2]

OK, so how is the finish on your trailer doing? that should give you some kind of reference of how the paint does without a clear coat. In my experience Reds do tend to fade over time. I can check with the company from which you bought your trailer from about the performance of the paint that they use (they are just down the stree t from us)

[planovet]

The trailer is only a few months old and has been garaged the whole time. It still looks new.

I know reds tend to fade more than some other colors and I expect that. The finish looks fine to me without a clear but I was wondering if a clear coat would help slow any fading. I was just thinking that the trailer doesn't have a clear coat on it so maybe I should just let the trailer and sides fade together. Just don't know.

Yep, we picked up the trailer in your neck of the woods starleen. Nice little day trip. I just talked to the guy that sold me the trailer and he said that he has trailers on the lot that have sat out in the sun for over a year and still look good. I guess that's a good sign.

[doug hodder]

An acrylic enamel or single stage paint uses a gloss additive/ hardener in it. Did you use that? or did you just reduce the paint or just paint and go. The gloss additive is what will make it shine and give you the longevity on the paint job. Without that additive, the paint shine will flatten out a lot quicker and may fade. A clear coat over it will help with keeping it fresh. I don't think we can get the clears you are speaking of here in Ca anymore.
I have no idea on how to apply auto paint with a roller and how well it would work. Doug

[planovet]

An acrylic enamel or single stage paint uses a gloss additive/ hardener in it. Did you use that? or did you just reduce the paint or just paint and go. The gloss additive is what will make it shine and give you the longevity on the paint job. Without that additive, the paint shine will flatten out a lot quicker and may fade. A clear coat over it will help with keeping it fresh. I don't think we can get the clears you are speaking of here in Ca anymore.
I have no idea on how to apply auto paint with a roller and how well it would work. Doug

Yes I used the recommended hardener. I added the hardener, mixed and then reduced before painting (according to Valspar recommendations and in recommended ratios).

[doug hodder]

Well, outside of your application method, you've followed the rules. You should be good. I can't help but think it's on thicker than if you shot it, so coverage ought to be OK. I don't think I'd spend more $$ on it. See how it works. Doug

[planovet]

I don't think I'd spend more $$ on it.

Funny, that's what my wife said...

Here is what it looks like (not a great picture). It's not as smooth looking as it would have been if I had used a sprayer but it's as smooth as glass to the touch:

[starleen2]

I don't think I'd spend more $$ on it.

Funny, that's what my wife said...

Here is what it looks like (not a great picture). It's not as smooth looking as it would have been if I had used a sprayer but it's as smooth as glass to the touch:

Well - theres your answer! looks sharp