Clear Coat 101: A Beginner’s Guide to Choosing the Right One

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the number of clear coat options out there, you’re not alone. With so many choices, it can be tough to figure out which one is best for your project.

Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered! In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of clear coats, explain the key characteristics, and help you make an informed decision.

One important thing to remember: all clear coats look good in pictures. You’ve probably seen cars that seem flawless in photos, only to notice issues in person. That’s why understanding clear coat quality is key to getting the results you want.

Here are the main factors to consider when choosing a clear coat:

✅ Solids content (How much actual material stays on the surface)
✅ Drying speed (How quickly it cures)
✅ VOC content (Compliance with regulations)
✅ Project specifics (What you’re painting)
✅ Type of resin (Durability and performance)

Let’s break it all down!

Solids Content – How Much “Paint” Are You Really Spraying?

Clear coat is basically a mix of solvents, resins, and other ingredients. The solids are everything that stays on the car after the solvents evaporate. More solids mean a thicker, more durable layer per coat, but that also affects application and drying times.

Higher-solids clears tend to be more resistant to UV rays, chemicals, and scratches, making them ideal for long-term durability. However, they can also be trickier to spray, requiring proper gun setup, technique, and sometimes additional flash time between coats to prevent solvent trapping or excessive orange peel.

On the other hand, lower-solids clears are easier to apply, flow out more smoothly, and dry faster, but they require more coats to achieve the same film build. This makes them great for quick repairs or budget-conscious jobs where extreme durability isn't the top priority.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Low-Solids (LS) – 30-40% → Budget-friendly, requires more coats, easier to spray but less durable.

• Medium-Solids (MS) – 40-50% → A good balance of ease of use and durability.

• High-Solids (HS) – 50-65% → More durability, better gloss, and scratch resistance, but requires proper technique.

• Ultra High-Solids (UHS/XHS) – 65-80%+ → Super thick and durable, used in show-quality finishes and industrial coatings.

💡 Pro Tip: Many brands don’t list exact percentages, and the term "High Solids" is often thrown around loosely. If you want a true high-solids clear, check the tech sheets!

Drying Speed – Fast or Slow, It Matters!

A fast hardener won’t magically turn a slow clear coat into a fast-drying one. The drying speed of a clear coat is determined by two factors:

1️⃣ The Hardener (Activator) Speed – This controls how quickly the chemical reaction starts after mixing. Hardener speeds range from fast, medium, slow, to extra slow and mainly impact workability and initial cure time.

2️⃣ The Clear Coat Formula – Some clear coats are engineered to dry quickly no matter which hardener is used, while others are designed to flow and level slowly for better gloss and fewer imperfections.

Think of it like baking: a hotter oven (fast hardener) will speed things up, but if the recipe (clear coat formula) is designed for a slow rise, you can’t just crank up the heat without affecting the outcome.

• A fast clear coat will dry quickly even if you pair it with a slow hardener.

• A slow clear coat will still take time to dry, even with a fast hardener.

How to Choose the Right Drying Speed

• Fast Hardener → Great for small repairs or cool weather, but can cause solvent trapping in hot climates.

• Medium Hardener → The most versatile choice for general refinishing.

• Slow/Extra Slow Hardener → Ideal for hot weather or full resprays, allowing for better flow-out.

• High-Velocity Clears → Designed for fast production work, drying in 30-60 minutes.

• Standard or Slow Clears → Better flow-out and leveling, great for show-quality finishes.

Choosing the right combination is key. If you’re doing a spot repair, you might want a fast clear with a fast hardener to speed up turnaround time. But for a show car finish, a slow clear with a slow hardener will help the paint flow out smoothly and minimize orange peel

💡 Pro Tip: If you're spraying in hot weather, go with a slower hardener to avoid issues like solvent pop.

🚗 Best Combinations:
✔ Spot repairs/small jobs → Fast clear with fast/medium hardener
✔ General refinishing → Standard clear with medium hardener
✔ Full resprays → Slow clear with slow/extra slow hardener
✔ Production work → High-velocity clear with fast hardener

VOC Content – Do You Need a Compliant Clear?

VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) regulations determine whether you need a low-VOC clear coat or not.

• Low-VOC Clears (Compliant Clears, 2.1 VOC) → Required in California, Canada, and other regulated areas.

• High-VOC Clears (Traditional Solvent-Based, 4.2-5.0 VOC) → Allowed in less regulated areas.

If you're in a low-VOC zone, using a high-VOC clear can result in fines or compliance issues. Thankfully, many brands offer low-VOC clears that still perform great.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about VOC laws in your area, check local regulations before buying!

As of February 2025, several states and regions in the United States have implemented regulations limiting the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) content in automotive refinishing products. These regulations aim to reduce air pollution and protect public health by controlling emissions from paints and coatings used in auto body shops.

States with Low-VOC Requirements

The following states have adopted low-VOC regulations for automotive refinishing products:

• California

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• District of Columbia

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Maine

• Maryland

• Massachusetts

• Michigan

• New Hampshire

• New Jersey

• New York

• Ohio

• Pennsylvania

• Rhode Island

• Utah

• Vermont

• Virginia

These regulations typically set specific VOC limits for various coating categories. For example, in many low-VOC areas, the VOC limit is 3.5 pounds per gallon for basecoats, 2.8 pounds per gallon for topcoats (single-stage paint), and 2.1 pounds per gallon for primers and clearcoats.

Type of Resin – What’s Inside Your Clear?

The resin in your clear coat is one of the biggest factors in determining how it sprays, how it holds up over time, and how easy it is to work with. Different resins have unique properties, and choosing the right one for your project can make a big difference.

Acrylic Clears

✔ Pros: Older technology, easy to spray, buffs easily.
❌ Cons: Not as durable or chemical-resistant as newer options.
🔹 Best for: Budget-friendly applications, classic car restorations that aim to match older paint formulations.

Acrylic clear coats were widely used in the past but have mostly been replaced by polyurethane formulas due to their superior durability. They’re still found in some economy-grade clear coats and restoration work where a softer, easy-to-polish finish is preferred.

Polyurethane Clears (Most Common)

✔ Pros: Tough, chemical-resistant, durable, and glossy.
❌ Cons: Requires proper mixing ratios and application technique.
🔹 Best for: General refinishing, collision repair, and daily driver resprays.

Polyurethane clear coats are the industry standard because they offer a great balance of durability and ease of use. They resist UV damage, chemicals, and scratches, making them the go-to for most automotive refinishing jobs.

Polyester Clears

✔ Pros: Ultra-high solids, extremely thick film build, deep gloss.
❌ Cons: Harder to spray, more difficult to sand and buff.
🔹 Best for: Show cars, high-end custom paintwork, and deep, glass-like finishes.

Polyester clears contain more resin and less solvent, making them extremely thick once dried. This makes them ideal for show-quality finishes, but they require more skill to spray properly without excessive orange peel or runs.

Ceramic-Infused Clears (Newest Technology)

✔ Pros: Scratch-resistant, hydrophobic (water-repellent), advanced protection.
❌ Cons: More expensive, some versions can be harder to polish.
🔹 Best for: High-end custom builds, premium refinishing, and those looking for long-term protection.

Ceramic-infused clear coats incorporate nano-ceramic technology for added hardness and resistance to scratches, chemicals, and UV rays. Some even have self-cleaning properties, repelling dirt and water for a long-lasting, glossy finish.

Pro Tip: Not all tech sheets will tell you the exact type of resin used in a clear coat. Some manufacturers only list generic terms like “urethane” or “high solids” without specifying whether it’s polyurethane, polyester, or acrylic.

If you really want to know what’s inside your clear, look for:
✅ Detailed technical sheets that specify the resin type.
✅ MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets), which sometimes provide more insight.
✅ Manufacturer reps or tech support, who can confirm the composition.

Why does it matter? The resin type affects how your clear sprays, how it holds up, and how easy it is to work with. If durability, buffability, or ease of application is a priority, always check the fine print! 🧐🔎

Project-Specific Considerations – What Are You Painting?

Not all clear coats are created equal, and choosing the right one depends on what kind of project you’re working on. Here’s how to match your clear coat to your job:

• Collision Repair Shops → Speed is King

• Best Choice: High-velocity clears with fast to medium hardeners

• These shops rely on quick turnaround times, so a fast-drying, production-friendly clear is ideal. High-velocity clears cure in 30-60 minutes, allowing for same-day polishing and delivery.

• Watch Out For: Using a fast clear in hot weather—it can dry too quickly and trap solvents, leading to dieback or poor adhesion.

• Custom Paint Jobs → Depth and Perfection Matter

• Best Choice: High-solids or ultra-high-solids clears with slow hardeners

• When you’re doing candy paints, pearls, or intricate graphics, you want a clear that levels well and doesn’t shrink over time. High-solids clears allow for a deeper, glossier finish that enhances the layers underneath.

• Watch Out For: Rushing the curing process—let it dry fully before sanding and buffing to avoid rework.

• Daily Driver Resprays → Balance of Durability and Ease of Use

• Best Choice: Medium-solids or high-solids clears with medium-speed hardeners

• A daily driver needs a durable finish that won’t require excessive maintenance. A high-solids clear adds protection against UV rays and road debris, but without making application too tricky.

• Watch Out For: Overbuilding the clear—too many coats can lead to cracking or excessive orange peel.

• Show Cars & Restorations → Ultimate Gloss and Depth

• Best Choice: Ultra-high-solids clears with slow hardeners

• If you’re going for a jaw-dropping show car finish, an extra-thick, slow-drying clear gives maximum gloss and depth. This also makes it easier to cut and buff to a mirror finish.

• Watch Out For: These clears require controlled environments—dust or temperature changes can ruin the finish if you’re not careful.

💡 Pro Tip: For show cars, go slow! A slower drying clear allows for better flow-out, reducing orange peel and imperfections. The extra time spent on curing and polishing will be worth it when your finish turns heads at every car show. 🚗✨

Final Thoughts – Which Clear Coat Is Right for You?

Picking the right clear coat isn’t just about grabbing whatever’s on the shelf—it’s about matching the right product to your project. Whether you're fixing a fender, laying down custom graphics, or aiming for a flawless show car finish, understanding clear coat types, drying speeds, resins, and VOC regulations will help you get the best results.

To sum it up:
✅ For speed? Use a fast-drying, high-velocity clear.
✅ For durability? High-solids polyurethane clears are your best bet.
✅ For deep, show-quality shine? Go with ultra-high-solids or polyester clears.
✅ For compliance? Check VOC laws in your area before buying.

At the end of the day, technique, prep work, and application matter just as much as the product you use. Choose wisely, follow the tech sheets, and take your time—because a great paint job starts with the right clear! ✨🚘