Omni Clear Coat Question?

[Jim Baldwin]

I've been using the quick clear by Omni for some time now in the production area of my shop. A very nice clear that sands and buffs easily. Only problem when painting my scooter I notice it doesn't take much effort to scratch it. Even when lightly running a full cotton cloth to remove the slightest dust, it noticebly leaves minute scratches. This happens even after curing for a month or more. It's been some time since I used any of PPG's clears and have somewhat forgotten if that ever occured with them. Anyone got any tips on this omni clear or another of Omni's clears that may be a harder, more scratch resistant clear or even another PPG clear that is better? I'm limited to using PPG's paint line here in my remote Montana town.

 

[rex]

PPG is the same way.While my paint is curing for the 30 days I use an instant detailer to float the dust and wipe it off and polish it with pure cotton polishing rags,same thing,very fine scratches.After you do it for a while you end up with the whole surface evenly scratched.If you always wipe in circles it doesn't look as bad as straight ones.You can foam pad it with polish to get rid of them but they'll be right back as soon as you touch a rag to it.

 

[tcannon]

I've noticed the PPG & Omni clears scratch and shrink more than the Dupont I was using. I have found that if you use 100% cotton flannel(not the rayon/cotton stuff) it doesn't scratch quite like 100% cotton t-shirt material. I get this at Wal-mart, I think they make baby blankets out of it or something. Question... does anyone know if those spray detailers have silicone in them? TC

 

[rex]

McGuires and Mothers don't.I like Mothers better.I don't think they strip wax either.

 

[Jim Baldwin]

I haven't noticed so much in the shrinking of the PPG clears as with the scratching. I've sent so many cars out of my shop with the omni clear, but have never really payed any attention to it scratching. Only recently while painting a friends motorcycle, did I notice the scratching. You mentioned that there is about 30 days of hardening time with these clears, but I still see it after four months being soft. I'm wondering if it's not the clear itself, because it's a less expensive product that is at fault? Anyway, guys, thanks for the input on this. Back to taping out flames!!! Jim

 

[rex]

I have very limited experience with Omni and I've never painted in your environment so I'm taking a stab in the dark.2 things that immediately hit me as a cause for it to still be soft after that long is either the reducer was wrong for the temp or it was too cold to be painted.If you're reducer was too fast it slows the drying process but then the paint cures.The trapped solvents keep the stuff soft even though it's cured chemically.The other is chemical crosslinking of urethane turns to crap under 60 degrees.It will eventually cure but it takes a long time to do it.If your nose is still good try smelling the paint to see if you can smell solvents or get that 'smell' of the paint as it dries after you jump in the car to pull it out of the booth.If you can smell something after this length of time it's one of the above.