Clear Lacquer types, question

[tadaska]

I want to ask about different types of clear lacquers for cars. I recently did some bumper repair with a Halfords rattle can clear finish and a few weeks later I found a drop of something on that area has destroyed the clearcoat. Plus the clearcoat finish itself looks kind of bumpy. But that might be because I didn't wait the full 2 weeks (as stated on the can) for it to cure before polishing. I did it after a good week.

Anyways, what is the toughest clear lacquer I can get? Something that will resist chemicals as well as stone impacts the best. I need to do more work on my bumpers and around the wheel arches and I'm hesitant to use that Halfords clear (I think it says acrylic on the can). I'm after the rattle can and paintbrush application clear that can be bought in the UK.

Thank you!

[steveo3002]

2k is the toughest and what a bodyshop would use

[tadaska]

But what kind of 2k lacquer? I did try to understand it myself but the info is always incomplete. Some videos say polyurethane is the best but when I look at 2k lacquers it says they are acrylic... Are there different types of 2k lacquers?

[V8covin]

Ignore the videos and many aerosols that say 2k on them because it's marketing belony.
Look for a 2k clear aerosol that has an activator built in which mixes with the clear when you turn a knob or whatever ....beware that once you have activated the mixing process the clear will cure in the can after a short period of time.
You can't use a bit,put it in your toolshed and come back to it a week later,it well have set in the can.
Any decent bodyshop supplier should stock these,so not Halfords .
Wear a decent mask

[steveo3002]

yeah what he said...if its got a button in the can its the good stuff

[tadaska]

What about acrylic vs polyurethane? Which one is better?

On eBay they all seem to be acrylic: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_osacat=0&_o...

But if I google there are polyurethane ones too: https://www.ultrimaxstore.com/polyurethane-coating...

[V8covin]

tadaska said:

What about acrylic vs polyurethane? Which one is better?

On eBay they all seem to be acrylic: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_osacat=0&_o...

But if I google there are polyurethane ones too: https://www.ultrimaxstore.com/polyurethane-coating...

Irrelevant in your situation.
Any 2k clear you buy in aerosol form in the UK is likely to be acrylic.
You want something like this
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ProXL-2K-Clear-Lacquer-...

[steveo3002]

standox one is good too

[xjay1337]

I wouldn't use 2k without an air fed mask and full body suit.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/bodyshop/isocyanates.htm

[tadaska]

That ProXL 2K Clear Lacquer Aerosol looks good, I'll get it to redo my bumper.

But I also need something similar for small jobs to apply with a brush in small amounts. Is this good? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U-Pol-2k-S-2080-Clearco... It's way more than I need but I'm struggling to find a small kit. Any recommendations?

Also, I noticed they mention thinners. What are those thinners made of? Can I use them to clean my brush?

[V8covin]

What are you attempting to do with a brush,are you touching in stonechips ?
If you are just spray some of the aerosol into the cap and dip your brush in it

[helix402]

This is what I use:



Here’s some examples of what I’ve painted with it:

[tadaska]

V8covin said:

What are you attempting to do with a brush,are you touching in stonechips ?
If you are just spray some of the aerosol into the cap and dip your brush in it

My car is 12 years old and has a few rust blisters around the arches, a fair few stone chips, and lots of scratches on the bumpers. I want to slowly fix it all up. Little by little tidy it up. I don't want to buy a £15 single use can each time. If I have lacquer and hardener in separate tins then I can just use what I need. I need it to last.