What is your "policy" on clear coat?

I would like to get some opinions on how often and on what you guys use clear coat.

konstan wrote: I would like to get some opinions on how often and on what you guys use clear coat. I have two projects going on right now (see the list below). All require painting stuff. Its a lot of wire wheel, sand blasting, miracle paint, rust barrier, etc. All those paints are not UV-resistant, but a lot of them are not really "body", so...  What of the following would you clear coat for UV protection: - CJ2A frame - CJ2A rear axle - CJ2A rear axle backing plates - CJ2A air filter housing (always under the hood, never in sunlight) - anything else in CJ2A compartment (I already clear coated the block and head because otherwise why would they make clear coat for block and head??? ) you get the idea and... - 8N ford tractor air filter housing - mounted on the side of the motor, will get occasional sunlight - 8N ford battery tray - under the hood, air and rain can get to it but not much UV... - 8N transmission bellhousing - you sit on it, definitely some sunlight... Excessive? I Love It !

I didn't bother to clear coat my brushed-on Rust-Oleum.  Now, since I can't get it to run worth a darn, it just sits in the garage and UV isn't a problem.  A simple but unsatisfactory solution...

Clear coat and Willy's don't mix. I would stay away from it unless you are building a high power custom willy's show piece. BTW ,Clear coat is always the first to break down  in the sun . just look at about every car that 5 years old that has a clear coat ,unless its kept in a garage.
Just my two cents.

I'm not a fan of clear coats. My brother had a silver BMW about 40 years ago and the clear coat was peeling off of it. My neighbors had Ford van and as the clear coat went away the paint went with it My Chevy van is white and the clear coat makes the hood look like garbage

I too have things with the clear coat peeling. One is a 1982 Mercedes 300D and it's peeling on the roof only; the other is a 1995 dodge truck and the hood has lost most of its clear coat. It has been my assumption that in both cases they didn't do a good job originally and that's why it is peeling... What I probably need to think of next is, will I be able to to a better job than Mercedes or Chrysler did............

At least one of the Cj2As in this picture is clear coated.  I would guess all three are - but the green one has 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of color and 2 coats of clear coat on the frame and body.  The paint job is 12 plus years old.

damar2yxr wrote: ......don't clear coat unless you want a visit from the jeep police.