What is the most fuel proof clear coat?

[John Lindberg]

What is the most fuel proof clear coat? Urethane, epoxy? Anyone got any ideas? Thanks, 

[Dennis Toth]

John,
Are you talking about simple clear coat (one part) or death paint?

For single component some have used KBS Diamond clear (https://www.kbs-coatings.com/DiamondFinish-Clear.html). I have used this on a test ship over MonoKote, it's been on for over 4 years, no yellowing or peeling. One bad thing about this product is once it is open to air you need to use it up, has several weeks of shelf life after opening it and reseal, but not like dope.

For death paint one of the simples is 2K Max clear coat (https://www.spraymax.com/en/products/product/clear-coats-and-spot-blender/2k-clear-coat/). It comes in a spray can that has a button activator, once activated you can use it for about a week plus a few days, more if you refrigerate it. Although this is not as toxic as Imron, you still need a good mask and spray outside.

Best,  DennisT

[dennis lipsett]

What is the most fuel proof clear coat? Urethane, epoxy? Anyone got any ideas? Thanks, 

an electric motor, 100% fuel proof

[Mike Griffin]

I agree with Walt.  Klass Kote.

Mike

[Tim Wescott]

an electric motor, 100% fuel proof

Until the next guy down from you on the flight line has a fueling incident and squirts raw dope onto your finish.

Which has happened, as told to me by an unnamed (and rather abashed) squirter at the Northwest Regionals a few years ago.

[Steve Helmick]

Until the next guy down from you on the flight line has a fueling incident and squirts raw dope onto your finish.

Which has happened, as told to me by an unnamed (and rather abashed) squirter at the Northwest Regionals a few years ago.

Tim must have skipped his morning coffee...  Steve

[dennis lipsett]

Until the next guy down from you on the flight line has a fueling incident and squirts raw dope onto your finish.

Which has happened, as told to me by an unnamed (and rather abashed) squirter at the Northwest Regionals a few years ago.

I make it a point to never get near the slimers when fueling. seriously   

[proparc]

What about ALL of the automotive paints?

[EricV]

I hate to contradict anyone, but I felt I owed it to the readers here to share my personal experiences.

While my last several stunters have been KlassKote colors, and I like and will continue to use them, I stopped using their epoxy clear after the very first try, because it does yellow over white. In fact, it yellows worse than if no clear was applied at all. KlassKote themselves admit this issue is because of a lack of UV inhibitors (unless that has changed since I tried it).

Nate himself at KlassKote urged me to use their KlassKote 2 part Urethane Clear instead. About as fuel proof as you could ever want, doesn't yellow, and does buff out like any other urethane (another issue with Epoxy clear, it will gloss when sprayed, but if you want to level out the trim ridges and then buff, epoxy will only give you a satin finish at best once you break the glaze.

I have since also tried House Of Kolor Show Car Clear 2 part urethane, because I can buy it in small "Touch up Kits" which is just enough to do one large stunt ship, so I don't have to store and throw away the leftovers when they go bad. It buffs easier than the KlassKote 2 part Urethane, and appears equally fuel proof for stunt fuel levels of nitro, can't say for anything above 15% because I've had no need to try it.

YMMV, hope that helps,
EricV

[Brett Buck]

What about ALL of the automotive paints?

   The colors are not fuelproof, but two-part clears generally are.

     Eric is right, the Klass-Kote clear yellows over time, that's why they sell a two-part urethane. I use whatever Uncle Jimby tells me to, however.

     Brett

[Mike Griffin]

   The colors are not fuelproof, but two-part clears generally are.

     Eric is right, the Klass-Kote clear yellows over time, that's why they sell a two-part urethane. I use whatever Uncle Jimby tells me to, however.

     Brett

Brett I sent you a PM back some time ago.  Did you get it OK?

Mike

[proparc]

   The colors are not fuelproof, but two-part clears generally are.

     Eric is right, the Klass-Kote clear yellows over time, that's why they sell a two-part urethane. I use whatever Uncle Jimby tells me to, however.

     Brett

Auto base coats are not fuel proof but, the clears are about as tough as it gets. Autos are almost always done base coat, clear coat. I have shot them and, my only gripe against them is that, they don't hold up if you crash!

[Howard Rush]

Autos are almost always done base coat, clear coat. I have shot them and, my only gripe against them is that, they don't hold up if you crash!

So stop texting while you drive.

[Steve Fitton]

So stop texting while you drive.

Aren't you still driving?

[peabody]

The two part rattle can that Aviojet recommends seems to work well.
I couldn't het an answer as to the shelf life of unmixed stuff in quarts;
Windy says that 5 Star auto clear is cheap and durable.....he's using it on motorbikes.

When he was flying he used Brodak clear the last ten years or so aglow fuel as well.

nd never had it yellow and it stood up real well to

[Jared Hays]

The old school Dupont Imron is tough as nails... My dad has airplanes over 30 years old sprayed with that with hundreds to thousands of flights on them and they still look like the paint is drying.   Only draw backs is its heavy and it will kill you if you breath it, but hey lol

[RC Storick]

The most fuel proof clear is a Sherwin Williams product Named Sunfire. Suppose to be good to 75% Nitro. The use it on Salt Flats cars.

[Carl Cisneros]

John

I have used this stuff now for years on my racing boats.
They use 60-65% nitro an dyes, I have spilled raw fuel on the hulls. No
affects at all.

I use the 680061 gloss.
https://www.spraymax.com/en/products/product/clear-coats-and-spot-blender/2k-clear-coat/

Carl

p.s. hope to see you at the field Saturday

[proparc]

So stop texting while you drive.

 

[John Lindberg]

I plan on being at the field Saturday the 27th, hope to see your flying wing, Carl! 

[Dennis Toth]

I just came across a new product from KBS Diamond Clear - DiamondFinish Clear Aerosol (https://www.kbs-coatings.com/DiamondFinish-Clear-Aerosol.html). I have used Diamond Clear on the nose of my YAK-YAK bipe. It has been on for about three years and has not yellowed or cracked.

The only problem I had with the can version is shelf life. Once the can was opened it had to be used in a short period of time (maybe a month) even when sealed with plastic wrap. Problem was once it hit air it starts to cure. With the aerosol can the material stays contained away from air and should have a longer shelf life.

Best,    DennisT

[Robert Zambelli]

I have had very good results with the gloss version of the Plasticoat wheel clearcoat.
Available at O'Reilly auto parts.