using DBC basecoat... either going to use PPG 2021 or the PPG SHOPLINE clear or the omni... on the 68 panther pink dart im restoring for my mom. not sure what to choose. i have never sprayed these clears.. only used martin senour clears over DBC and rather use PPG all. any thought and opinions?????

I'm no painter, but I'd go with the best clear you can afford. I know people who have used the budget line of martin senior clear coat and the stuff just isn't as durable when compared to the ppg clear IMO.

If no pro-painters chime in I would go back to the store where you bought it or stop at a ppg certified bodyshop and ask what they would use if it was their personal vehicle.

If you are doing an overall use the PPG Concept 2021 for an air-dry or 2002 if you don't mind a slower cure or are force drying. Always use the best high solids clear you can afford, besides you bought the best base coat.

I used the PPG 2021 very happy.

i spray 1-2 gallons of 2021 a week.
it is a good clear. it has excellent color hold out and durability.
i agree with what other people have said. use the highest solids clear you can afford. you will be happy you did in the long run.
with that said i painted my own car with Shop Line products from the primer to the clear. it has held up well.
the shop line clear is best in a air dry situation. it doesn't like to be baked to dry even with using the baking catalyst.
i can't comment on 2021's performance in a air dry situation because i haven't painted a car that way in over 20 years, it was always in a down draft baking booth.
one suggestion for best performance is to use DX84 ENHANCER, it's 84 or 87 i always get that # mixed up just ask for enhancer at the paint store, in the clear. this product will cut cure time in 1/2 but won't change the pot life.
after clearing wait a week before you sand and buff.

anyone else?

FWIW, we have used PPG 2021 and 2002 over PPG DBC base for 5 years now. No adhesion or appearance problems at all with our customer's cars in those 5 years, so I'm happy!

Steve

www.clarkclassic.com

Yea i know about 2021. just was curious if anyone uses this shopline stuff

I used the Omni clear. Never again!! It doesn't hold up. I know that I'm in AZ, but I sprayed a Challenger Sublime with PPG 2021 7 years ago and it still looks great. I sprayed the Omni clear 4 years ago over B5 blue and it's yellowed and flaking away.
Plus, after seeing the base color where the clear is gone, the Omni cleat is not that clear. The color is much much darker with the clear over it than without. Maybe the better clear is the same, I don't know.
That's my experience for what its worth.

the biggest problem with the shopline clear is the level of solids, the part of the clear that actually stays on the car after it'd dry, is much lower than 2021.
2021 clear has 42% solids, ready to spray when mixed with DCX61 catalyst. 42% solids 58% of solvents that will evaporate away.
i don't have the tech sheets on the shop line, but if i remember correctly it has about 15% solids ready to spray. 15% solids 85% solvents that will evaporate away.
these statements translated into understandable statements is basicly 1 coat of 2021= 3 coats of shopline clear.
this is why the shopline clear doesn't have long term durability. this is also why it is MUCH cheaper than DCU2021.
when i spray shopline i usually spray 5 coats of clear. bake and dry overnight. sand with 1000 grit then respray 4 more coats of clear and bake again. then sand and buff 2 days later.

good point. i was figuring that with the shopline. prob leaning towards the 2021.

I perfer shop line over all the PPG clears.To me PPG hasn't had a nice clear in years.2020 and 2001 were the $hit.Shop line is a watered down 2001,it sprays great and buffs even better.Three coats is all you ever need,that includes sanding and buffing.

One of my buddies is well respected in the area as a painter. His work always turns out quality. He says the same thing as above....He uses the Shopline, gives it a few coats and swears it buffs out nicely. Strangely enough I sell PPG archetectural and Industrial Coatings for a living, but I wont swear to be knowledgable about our Automotive line. Albeit I hope to talk one of my PPG brothas out of some Base and clearcoat for my resto.....

interesting..... how everyone has a different opinion!! hehe im wondering what you guys think would be BEST for me.. in a shop at home. i have painted before. but not a pro standard. i have a tendacy to put it on "thick" so i was thinking that the shopline would be more watery?? and not good for me and have to use more to get good coats... any thoughts on that? would a gallon be enough to do the entire outside of thedart?

When I say watered down,I mean it dosn't have the mill build that say 2021 will.The shopline is a easy clear to spray, spray it like you what it to look.Last year I had a 32 ford finish 2nd at the LA roadster show and it had shopline clear on it.I thought it was funny when the 1st place guy said he had 28,000 in the paint work.

would a gallon of shopline clear be enough for the complete outside of a 2 door 68 dart?

yes, a gallon should do it.

STILL undecided hhhhmmmmmmm ALSO what 3m compound you guys using on clear> so many out there...

see this post for some pictures. https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...e=1#Post4738647

For that best look here is my 2 cents. Transtar euro clear classic not the speed clear.
Second when you wet sand use only meguiars 1500 and 2500 unigrit paper. Get paper wet and let soak 1 hr before using.
Use a wool pad and 3m heavy cut but dont try and make it shine just buff out the 2500 grit it will still look somewhat dull. next use meguiars med cut on a foam pad. clean your pad often by spurring it with it spinning fast and rubbing a metal object like can opener across it. Then use Menzurna final polish and soft foam pad for final buff. It will look like a mirror. See pics in above post.

I dont have access to transtar... nice tips though. thought on ppg??