should I clear coat black ?

[NHRA715]

I just finished painting a 64 Dodge 330. I have two good wet coats of black and was wondering if I should clearcoat the car. Also wanted to know if I should do the chrome window treatment now and clearcoat after. Thanks in advance, John

[VW Dave]

If you're happy with the level of gloss in the black paint alone, IMO there is no need for clear on top of it. By 'chrome window treatment' do you mean paint or foil?

[GeeBee]

If the black is a solid colour and not a basecoat, then there's no need or reason to clearcoat it, just let it dry, wet sand it and polish it out, if your doing the chrome trim using BMF, then I always do it after the paint has been applied and polished, but before putting any wax on ....

[CJ1971]

If you intend on polishing it.... Then yes, clear coat it. 2 coats, even though they've come out nice, are not enough layers to ensure you won't wet-sand or polish through them.

I'd wet-sand with 4000, possibly 6000 grit, hit it with 2-3 clear coats, then wet-sand & polish. Choice is your's to BMF before or after those clear coats?

Cliff

[Guest]

Clear over BMF is totally unnecessary. You surely don't want to spray Testors enamel over it. It will ruin it. I speak from experience on that one. As far as clear over black, I agree with VWDave. A member here by the name of Luke Kenyon (I think the last name is right?) does amazing black paint jobs with Tamiya with no clear or polishing.