Search our quarter-million Q&As

Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989

Clear coats that won't discolor under water

Quickstart:
     Epoxy paints and clearcoats are not meant for outdoor service because they are not UV-resistant like polyesters.
     Automotive clearcoats are designed for outdoors, and used on millions of cars, so there is a lot of evidence that they can be applied successfully without discoloring -- but that is not to suggest that a clearcoat can be used directly on raw steel to keep it from rusting (automobiles use sophisticated corrosion-proofing methods incorporating many steps).

adv.
Faded siding or trim? Everbrite might fix it without repainting

Q. Hello,
My name is Rich, an artist with a problem. I am making fountains with clear polyester resin. When exposed to water for a few weeks it turns white. I tried using a bar top clear coat and it lasts longer but still turns white. What could I coat this fountain with? Thanks

A. If you look for Modern Options Waterproof Sealer it sounds like that might help you.

Obviously no guarantees, never used it, can't comment on it. But it looks like it's up your alley for what you need.

Matthew Stiltner
plating company - Toledo, Ohio

2-component Automotive Clearcoat

on Amazon or eBay
(affil link)

A. Hi Rich

Epoxies like bartop coatings are not UV-resistant, so aren't for outdoors.

You could try a simple one-part clearcoat you can brush on like Everbrite [a finishing.com supporting advertiser], or a two-component automotive clearcoat ⇨

I don't know what type of clear plastic you are building with, but if it's not polycarbonate and it's practical to switch to polycarbonate I think it will be better at maintaining clearness as well as much more robust against damage.

2K Clearcoat

on Amazon or eBay
(affil link)

If you don't have spray equipment but would like to try an automotive clearcoat, there is at least one brand of rattle cans that claim to mix the two components as you spray; they seem to have pretty good customer reviews on Amazon ⇨

Luck & Regards,


Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.

Q. I have a concrete 3-tier outdoor contemporary water feature/fountain that was acid scrubbed, neutralized, and then stained with an acrylic semi-transparent tinted stain (non-acid based). The fountain is located in Phoenix, AZ in an uncovered courtyard with full exposure.

My question: what clear coat can/would be best applied in this situation that will do reasonably well with constant exposure to water, sun/UV, etc?

Thanks.

A. Hi Eric. We appended your inquiry to a thread which proposed some possible solutions.

If you try one (or anything else) we'd love to hear how it works out.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.

Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.