Clear coat question

[DAVID]

I just painted my tank with Truck & Van cherry red and cleared it with Engine enamel. Wet sanded with 2000 grit, hand rubbed with 3M finishing material. I am very pleased with the look but not with the durability. It is very soft and it has been 3-4 weeks since I applied the clear. My jeans rub dull spots on the side of the tank on a daily basis and fuel will melt it. I spilled some fuel on it last week and I know better than to try and wipe it off while wet. You have to let it dry then rub out the stain with finishing material. My question is, do I need to bake the tank to make it more durable or am I going to have to shoot it with some professional automotive clear w/hardener?
Thanks, David.

[Swaman]

Hi David
I recently completed a DUPLICOLOR custom paint job on my Yamaha V Star 1100.
It came out super, and looks as though I paid a pro thousands to do it......HOWEVER, Dup doesn't make a top coat that will prevent your symptoms.:(
I have had a couple of significant gasoline spills and have had to sand the clear, and re-clear. Fortunately the clear was thick enough so I didn't sand into the color coats.:mad:
This situation is bad, and I wish that technology was available to create a topcoat for lacquer finishes that was gas and scratch resistant.
Good luck with your dilemma!:)
Frank

[DAVID]

The engine enamel clear coat holds up to gas better than laquer as long as you don't touch it till it dries (a couple of minutes) but it scuffs WAY to easily. I'm just going to shoot it with a two part clear to get the hardness I need.

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

Hey guys thanks for the questions and comments. It is true. It is very difficult to get a durable finish out of an aerosol can that will resist gas. Right now the technology DOES exist for a 2 part system in aerosol but Dupli-Color will not use this because of serious health concerns from isocyanates that may occur.

As mentioned, an automotive based 2 part clear applied with a spray gun can be used.

You might want to try our Paint Shop clear #BSP300 as well. I can't guarantee it will resist gas as well as a 2 part system but it might be a cheaper route. Also with the Paint Shop clear you can apply heavier coats than you could with an aerosol can.

[DAVID]

Thanks for the response. Thickness isn't the problem, it's the hardness.

[Dupli-Color-Specialist]

The reason why I mentioned thickness is because of what Swaman said. If gas stains the clear you can always rub it out again pending there is enough clear on it.