Auto Seal Coat as Anti UV for Carbon Spar

[BobBill]

The idea of using auto seal coat to form a UV barrier on carbon spar was noted elsewhere.

Sounded like good idea, any comments?

 

[gonzo]

Do you mean undercoating?

 

[philSweet]

I think he means clear coat.

 

[BobBill]

I think he means clear coat.

Aye! Clear coat it is. Had a brain fart. Sorry!

I was going to use the two part stuff recommended by some to coat some AL T6 spars and actually painted the carbon boom and yard, but then read the comment about clear coat, and wondered how I never thought of it...and me being ex GM...Duh!

Works for cars, must be perfect to protect against UV and sealing AL etc.

Ya think?

 

[messabout]

Clear coats of all sorts have anti UV components but so far they are no match for pigmented coatings that exclude far more UV penetration. It is well known that the best possible varnish(clear coat) is paint.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

Clear coats of all sorts have anti UV components but so far they are no match for pigmented coatings that exclude far more UV penetration. It is well known that the best possible varnish(clear coat) is paint.

What does that last sentence mean ?

 

[PAR]

Yep, that's right, the best UV protection is paint, with clear coats (regardless of type) being much lower on the UV protection list.

 

[Jim Caldwell]

It used to be you could only get 3% UV inhibitors in Clear because it made the Clear cloudy. Of course that was 20 years ago, maybe that has improve some what, but you can see the nature of the problem.

 

[PAR]

That's always been the problem Jim and though the new clear coats are better, they still have limited effectiveness, so automotive base coats have a lot of UV inhibitors in it as well..

 

[BobBill]

So, the best avenue would be to paint the carbon/epoxy to gain a few more years or so before having to redo. Makes good sense to me and I feel better for having painted the spars already.

Appreciate the wisdom. The clear coat idea did seem viable alternative, when I came across it.

Nothing beats experienced wisdom!

 

[Mr Efficiency]

I believe your geographic location would be a big factor in whether a clear coat would stand up, in some latitudes and climes it would last, others not so much. But why would you clear coat the item in question, rather than paint with a pigmented finish ? Many of the clear timber finishes I see on sale over here, promoted as suitable for exterior use, originate in Scandinavia, which is home to many red-heads who burn to a crisp in the climate here, much like the clear coat !

 

[PAR]

Most want to see the carbon fiber and lots of automotive accessories are exposed carbon, so "it must be possible". A high latitude will delay the eventual UV damage, though it's still going to happen.

I can do a pretty good faux carbon fiber look with painting techniques, which is a better way, in terms of durability.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

Most want to see the carbon fiber and lots of automotive accessories are exposed carbon, so "it must be possible". A high latitude will delay the eventual UV damage, though it's still going to happen.

I can do a pretty good faux carbon fiber look with painting techniques, which is a better way, in terms of durability.

Yes, it dawned on me late that it was a cosmetic motive to use clear. The roads are full of mobile test-beds for clear auto finishes, so it must be doing OK, at least.

 

[PAR]

Again, the base/clearcoat automotive systems incorporate UV inhibitors in both.