I use Minwax oil based polyurethane, brushed on.  I don't have any idea if it can be rubbed out, but it makes a slick, fuel proof finish for a knock-around profile.  I looks a lot better than the spray can finish without a clear coat and makes it very easy to clean. 

I've been wondering about this myself. I am in the paint stage of my Trophy Trainer. I'm using Rustoleum enamel for color, for clear I'am looking at a can of Cabot's Clear water based polyurethane already on my shelf. Any idea if this will work?

Brian

This afternoon I thought I would try spraying some LusterKote clear over a test piece I painted about two weeks ago with Rustoleum black, gloss enamel .  The result was the LusterKote clear lifted the black Rustoleum like paint remover.  The black wrinkled and then bubbled up.  Turned into a black goo.

I know that Larry did some experimenting with LusterKote and Rustolem and his results were good.  I don't doubt that at all.  But, for whatever reason, it sure didn't work for me.  I know it's not but LusterKote smells like lacquer and the results were the same (for me) as spraying lacquer over enamel.

Anyway, just goes to prove what has been written here by many.  "Results may vary" and "Always try something new on a test piece first."

Best regards,

Joe

. . . the LusterKote clear lifted the black Rustoleum like paint remover.  The black wrinkled and then bubbled up.  Turned into a black goo.

 . . . I know that Larry did some experimenting with LusterKote and Rustolem and his results were good.  . . .


Joe

The caveat in my test was the Rustoleum was several years old (from a crashed airplane). Also, I removed all the oil with soap, water, cleaners, and two applications of Prep-Sol.

My guess is that it won't work, based on your test, with "fresh" Rustoleum. Maybe heat / sun cured, but not practical for a "quickie" project. If two weeks of normal curing isn't enough, then it is not practical, I'd say. I doubt if the difference in results is black vs red, but the difference in aging, don't you think?

Thanks for the heads up! (I haven't done the actual project yet)

Larry Fulwider

I have used Rustolium color on several airplanes with good results. On one airplane i sprayed Rustolium clear over the color. It turned into a sticky mess as soon as fuel hit it. The clear is not fuelproof. I have heard that the metallic also are not fuelproof.