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  • Looking to clearcoat a brand new steel frame that's never had any paint on it. Anyone had much success with any of the following options?:

    1. Clear powdercoat
    2. Wet spray paint - acrylic or 1k (e.g. Spray.Bike transparent clear)
    3. Everbrite brush-on clear coat
    4. Protectaclear brush-on clear coat
    5. POR-15
    1. Yes. Not great. It was very brittle and cracked off in a sugary kind of way. If that makes sense. Might have been the powdercoater I used, they were cheap. Brompton do clear powder I beleive and it seems to last pretty well.
    2. Wet spray lacquer yes. I've tried quite a few. Halfords Heavy Duty PU lacquer seems the best but the spray caps and the pipe coming out the cans clog up so expect that to happen before you use the full can. I beleive you can get clear lacquers with an etching ingredient but they might be more like 2k cans or for running through a gun.
      3 - 5. Nope.

  • Thanks, the Brompton clear powdercoat looks great in the flesh and seems to be a robust finish. If going the powdercoat route, I'm thinking it's worth getting it done right first time and paying extra for a premium quality powdercoater who understands bike frames.

    Wet spray wise, I had a look at the Halfords Heavy Duty PU lacquer. The reviews are mixed, some excellent, others with complaints. If going the wet spray route, I'd actually prefer a brand that is more eco-friendly and less harsh chemicals, maybe even a plant-based clear spray lacquer if it exists?!

    Has anyone ever hand-clearcoated a frame before? E.g. a tin of liquid clear lacquer and apply it with fine artist's paintbrushes.

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