I hope some other newbie like me will learn from my mistakes. But first:
Pros:
If you do it right, it comes out great and is easy
Nice glossy sheen, no polishing or compounding needed
Cons:
Directions on can might not apply to your conditions (explained below)
Learning curve involved
When can gets low (but still feels like it has product) it might spit dry-spray
First, the directions on the can say it is ideal to spray around 68d F, with 50% or less humidity. It then states to stay about 10" back and go slow. But it doesn't say if you are NOT spraying in 68d this doesn't apply, and you might need to get close and go fast, if it's warmer.
My garage was 80d and "staying 10" back and going slow" was the exact WRONG thing to do. It resulted in "dry-spray" which means the paint starts to atomize and doesn't collect into a solid sheet on the panel, but dries in individual droplets. The result is extreme orange peel and a matte finish, instead of a glossy finish.
9hrs later I wet-sanded the clear flat, which caused some burn-through into the color paint, which then needed touching up.
When I cleared the panel again, was sure to do it early in the morning when it was 69F in the garage... Well at that temp the paint stays fluid longer, so it went on like nice solid sheet, but ran and sagged after a few seconds, as now I was too close or went TOO slow for the temperature I was spraying in!
... 9hrs later wet-sanded the runs and sags until the panel was flat again. And finally I had it figured out.... cleared it in the afternoon when it was hot, but got close - about 4" - and moved fast. And THAT came out perfect. Matched the factory finish without any messing afterward.
So how close you are, and how fast you move, is totally dependent on the temperature. This is "duh!" for experienced painters, but newbies usually follow what's written on the can. I wish the can would have said, "If it is not 68d but much warmer, you will need to move in closer and go faster."
Also, I read many sites that said to do an initial "tack coat" (like is recommended with primer and base). You cannot 'feather' clear coat, or "apply a light tack coat." You will end up with severe orange peel. This paint has to go on in a solid sheet, where all the droplets combine or pool into one flat surface. Individual drops will each reflect the light in a different direction creating that heavy orange peel with a dull matte finish. You need a solid sheet to reflect the light evenly, to get that high gloss look.
One annoyance - and maybe it was just me, but I found when the cans still had product but were low (maybe 1/4 full) I'd be in the middle of applying a second or third coat and suddenly the can would shoot aerosol with little paint for a split second, spitting dry-spray all over my previously perfect panel - which would result in me having to wait 8rs until I could wet-sand it flat and do a new coat.
After that happened twice I stopped using cans once they felt like they were about 2/3rds gone. Maybe a quick spritz of a small repair area would be ok but I was clearing a fender panel in one case, and a bumper in another. Something to beware of anyway.
So having done it wrong every way possible, and having to re-do it and re-buy the paint multiple times, (not to mention base when I burned through sanding the clear), I'd say that once you have the hang of using it in your particular conditions, it's great. And you might get lucky and use it right, right off the bat. But it can require 'practice' for newbies. Especially if painting a large area like a panel, vs a small area or something like a guitar.
One tip I read that worked for me: After the can is activated the shelf life is about 48hrs - probably less in the heat. But if you put the left-over paint can in the fridge, it will stay a good long time (months, reportedly). I put one of my cans that was about half gone in the fridge and ordered more... when the new clear came 2 weeks later, I used the can from the fridge first by letting it warm up a couple hours in the garage. Then shook it a couple min and it was as good as a freshly activated can. And no, this isn't the can that spit. (I learned by then to not use any cans once they felt like they had about 1/4 product left.)
| Brand | Spray max |
|---|---|
| Finish Type | High-Gloss |
| Size | 11.8 Ounce (Pack of 2) |
| Item Volume | 8 Fluid Ounces |
| Unit Count | 23.6 Ounce |
| Paint Type | Spray |
| Specific Uses For Product | Gun |
| Surface Recommendation | Metal, Plastic |
| Item Form | Aerosol |
| Included Components | aerosol |
| Package Information | Bottle |
| Manufacturer | Spray max |
| Part Number | 3680061 |
| Item Weight | 12 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 8.5 x 2.5 x 5 inches |
| Item model number | 8542051475 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Finish | High-Gloss |
| Material | Urethane Basecoat |
| Item Package Quantity | 2 |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
