Best Car Clear Coats of 2026
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Car clear coats are a type of protective coating that can be applied to a vehicle's paint job. They are designed to provide an extra layer of protection against damage from the sun, weather, and other environmental factors. Clear coats are available in various formulations, including acrylic, polyurethane, and ceramic. They can be applied over the base coat of a car's paint job and provide a glossy, smooth finish. Clear coats can also be used to repair minor scratches and blemishes in a car's paint job. Overall, car clear coats are an essential tool for maintaining the appearance and value of a vehicle.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Car Clear Coats
Spray Max 2K High Gloss Clear Coat
Spray Max 2K High Gloss Finish Clear Coat is a two-component aerosol clearcoat that is easy to apply and flows smoothly to a long-lasting, high-gloss finish. It is designed for use over all basecoats and is resistant to weather and chemicals. Customers have praised its high-gloss finish, durability, and ease of use.
USC SprayMax 2K Glamour High Gloss Aerosol Clear
The USC SprayMax 2K Glamour High Gloss Aerosol Clear is an automotive and marine spray urethane clearcoat that provides a glossy finish. This clearcoat is perfect for those who want to protect their car or boat from scratches, UV rays, and weathering. It comes in a spray can, which makes it easy to apply, and is a clear, urethane-based formula that dries quickly and provides long-lasting protection.
Spray Max 2k High Gloss Clearcoat Aerosol
Spray Max 2k High Gloss Clearcoat Aerosol is a two component aerosol clearcoat that is easy to apply, flows smooth and dries to a long lasting, high gloss finish. It is a 11.8 Ounce (Pack of 2) aerosol with a pot life of 48 hours at 68 degree fahrenheit ambient temperature. Customers have praised its durability, shine, and ease of use, although they note that it may require more cans than expected to cover a large area. It is recommended to use a proper respirator and wear long sleeves and gloves when using this product.
SHERWIN WILLIAMS Finish 1 Automotive Refinish Ultimate Overall Clearcoat
The SHERWIN WILLIAMS Clearcoat is a high-quality automotive refinish product that provides an excellent gloss finish, distinctness of image, leveling, blending, and buffing. It is designed for overall refinishing and can be applied to automotive basecoats and cured single stage enamels. This clear coat is easy to apply and polish, thanks to its cross-coat application technique. With a 4:1 mixing ratio and included quart of standard universal hardener, it offers great convenience for car spray painting. The SHERWIN WILLIAMS Clearcoat is the perfect choice for achieving a professional-looking finish on your vehicle.
Maxima SC1 High Gloss Clear Coat 4-Pack
The Maxima SC1 Clear Coat is a high gloss finish designed especially for powersports vehicles like motorcycles and ATVs. It works well on plastic, fiberglass, and painted surfaces, giving you flexibility for different parts of your ride. This coating helps make cleaning easier by preventing mud and dirt from sticking to fenders, saving you time and effort after your adventures. Plus, it’s water resistant, so it maintains a shiny, dry look that lasts. With the Maxima SC1 Clear Coat, you can keep your powersports gear looking fresh and polished with less hassle.
FORTIVO Dry Guide Coat Powder 200g
The FORTIVO Guide Coat Powder is a handy tool for detecting surface flaws like scratches and low spots while sanding your auto body projects. Its black powder creates a strong contrast, making imperfections easy to spot so you can fix them before finishing. You don’t have to wait for it to dry or worry about masking, which helps you save time and work more efficiently. Plus, it works well with both wet and dry sanding methods, giving you flexibility depending on your project’s needs. The ultra-fine powder reduces clogging, ensuring smooth sanding and hassle-free use every time.
SprayMax 2K Matte Clear Coat
The SprayMax Matte Clear Coat is perfect if you want a flat, low-shine finish on your car, motorcycle, or metal surfaces. Its subtle sheen helps you achieve a professional, matte look without the glossy shine. This clear coat works well over almost any type of paint, making it very versatile and easy to use on different projects. Plus, it offers strong protection against chemicals and harsh weather, so your finish will stay durable and look great for a long time. If you’re looking for a reliable, professional-grade spray that keeps your vehicle’s surface protected while giving it a stylish flat finish, the SprayMax Matte Clear Coat is a solid choice.
KBS Coatings 8114 DiamondFinish Clear
The KBS DiamondFinish Clear is a high gloss clear coat designed to protect and enhance your surfaces. You can apply it directly over other coatings or straight onto steel and aluminum, making it easy to use on various materials. It also works well on painted surfaces with little preparation, saving you time and effort. This clear coat is exceptionally tough and hard, offering strong protection that lasts. Plus, it stays flexible and glossy without cracking, peeling, or yellowing, even in harsh conditions. With KBS DiamondFinish Clear, you get a durable, attractive finish that keeps your projects looking great.
GYEON MOHS Ceramic Coating Kit
The GYEON MOHS Coating offers an easy way for you to achieve professional-quality ceramic protection at home. It helps keep your car cleaner by repelling water, dirt, and grime, which means less frequent washing and less effort maintaining your paint. You’ll also notice a stunning glass-like shine that enhances the depth and clarity of your car’s color, making it look freshly detailed. Plus, this coating is built to last, protecting your paint for up to three years through everyday driving and weather changes, giving you long-term peace of mind with minimal upkeep.
SprayMax USC 2k High Gloss Clearcoat 4 Pack
The SprayMax Clearcoat 4 Pack offers excellent protection for your vehicle’s paint. It provides strong resistance against scratches and wear, helping maintain a smooth, polished look over time. This clearcoat is designed to be applied directly over all basecoat paints, making it versatile for various painting jobs. It comes ready to use—just activate, shake, and spray—which makes the application process quick and easy for you. Plus, the clear liquid formula ensures a high-gloss finish that enhances your vehicle’s appearance while protecting the paint underneath.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is clear coat worth it on cars?
Yes, clear coat is worth it on cars as it provides valuable body protection. It acts as a barrier between the paint and external elements, helping to prevent rust and damage. Even deep-looking scratches usually only penetrate the clear coat, which can be easily removed with professional polishing.
2. How long do car clear coats last?
A car's clear coat can last up to 15 years if properly cared for. Regular maintenance is important to protect the clear coat from dirt, grime, snow, mud, and other contaminants. The better you care for your car's clear coat, the longer it will last.
3. How many coats of clear coat does a car need?
To achieve the glossiest finish, it is recommended to apply three to four layers of clear coat. Allow at least 10 minutes between coats, with the second coat slightly thicker than the first. Give the final layer about an hour to dry.
4. Is it better to wax or clear coat a car?
Both waxing and clear coating a car are important. Regular waxing helps preserve the clear coat and provides additional protection against corrosive elements. The clear coat acts as a layer of defense, safeguarding the paint from environmental contaminants, including UV rays, snow, rain, bird droppings, and more.
5. Is Clear coat better than wax?
Clear coat provides higher durability than wax. Ceramic coatings, in particular, offer superior resistance to heat, UV rays, environmental contaminants, and harsh detergents. Wax sits on the surface and does not create the same chemical bond as ceramic coatings.
6. How often should you reapply clear coat?
Clear coat does not need to be reapplied on a regular basis. Once properly applied, it should last for an extended period. However, if damage or peeling occurs, it is recommended to have the clear coat stripped and repainted by a professional auto body shop.
7. Can you redo just clear coat on a car?
No, once the clear coat starts peeling, it cannot be restored. The only solution is to have the affected areas stripped and repainted by an auto body shop. If the clear coat has peeled in some areas, it is necessary to repaint the entire car to ensure a consistent color and finish.
8. Can you apply too much clear coat?
Yes, it is important to avoid applying excess clear coat, especially on vertical parts. Excessive application can lead to paint defects, such as sagging clear coat. It is best to apply clear coat evenly and follow the recommended guidelines for proper application.
During our car clear coat research, we found 24 car clear coat products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 148,873 customer reviews through our big data system to write the car clear coats list. We found that most customers choose car clear coats with an average price of $45.42.
The car clear coats are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of car clear coats, including SprayMax, SHERWIN WILLIAMS, Maxima, FORTIVO, KBS Coatings. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 343 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Robert Reyes is a dedicated writer from San Francisco with a bachelor of degree in mechanics and a bachelor of degree in marketing. He focuses on making some complicated topics simple and enjoys explaining complex and technical things in an easy-to-understand way.
Car Clear Coats Comparison Table
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| Brand | SprayMax | SprayMax | SprayMax | SHERWIN WILLIAMS | Maxima | FORTIVO | SprayMax | KBS Coatings | Gyeon | SprayMax |
| Specific Uses For Product | Gun | Interior/Exterior | Gun | Interior/Exterior | Degreaser / Cleaner | - | automotive repair and painting, touch-up jobs, matte finish detailing, durable protective coating | Interior/Exterior | Car Surface Protection | Exterior |
| Color | clear | Clear | Clear | Clear | - | - | Clear | Clear High Gloss | Clear | Clear |
| Finish Type | High-Gloss | Gloss | High-Gloss | Gloss | - | - | Gloss | Gloss | Ceramic | High-Gloss |
| Size | 11.8 Ounce (Pack of 1) | 11.8 Ounce (Pack of 1) | 11.8 Ounce (Pack of 2) | 1 Gal with Medium Hardener FH612 | - | - | 11.2 Ounce (Pack of 1) | 16 Ounce (Pack of 1) | 50 ml | 11.8 Ounce (Pack of 4) |
| Item Volume | 400 Milliliters | 32.37 Cubic Inches | 8 Fluid Ounces | 1 Gallons | - | - | 12 Fluid Ounces | 16 Fluid Ounces | 3.05 Cubic Inches | 47.2 Fluid Ounces |
| Special Feature | Long lasting | Scratch Resistant | Glossy | Flake Resistant | - | - | Water Resistant, Matte Finish | Chip Resistant, Crack Resistant, Fade Resistant, Rust Resistant, Scratch Resistant | Deep Gloss | UV Resistant |
| Unit Count | 11.8 Ounce | 11.8 Ounce | 23.6 Ounce | 160.0 Fluid Ounces | - | - | 11.2 Ounce | 16.0 Ounce | 1.7 Fluid Ounces | 47.2 Ounce |
| Surface Recommendation | Metal,Plastic | Variety | Metal, Plastic | Automotive Metal | - | - | Exterior/Indoor | Metal | Glass | Painted Surfaces |
| Paint Type | Oil | Spray | Spray | Spray | - | - | Regular | Acrylic | - | Spray |
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