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Clear coat over Stealth

12/27/22       
Mike  Member

When I first started finishing, I was using pre-cat lacquer. Eventually I took a finishing seminar with M.L. Campbell and afterwards I settled on using Stealth with a Krystal clear top coat. I've been using this system for several years with excellent results.

Over the years, I've talked with several different finishing specialists, at Richelieu and Wurth, about whether a top-coat is necessary over Stealth. They tell me that no one really uses a clear coat with Stealth and that it is not necessary.

So, now I'm considering whether or not to eliminate the Krystal top coat from my finishing schedule as it would make my finishing process faster, cheaper, and easier.

I just recently made a pair of sample doors and finished them with Stealth without top coating them. They looked great and I was ready to bring them to my client for approval when I noticed that I was leaving smudges on them from handling; just normal everyday finger print marks from slightly sweaty and dirty hands. I was able to remove them with a clean microfiber cloth but it left a shiny mark as if I polished the finish. In an attempt to remove the shiny mark, I dampened the cloth with lacquer thinner and it left superficial rub marks that could not be removed. I ended up scuffing the entire door and top coating with Krystal. For reference, the sheen was dull, color was a dark grey, and they were curing for about 48 hours before handling.

Are you guys top coating your Stealth finishes? If so, do you notice any durability issues with it? Any general thoughts on these finishes?

12/27/22       #2: Clear coat over Stealth ...
Yavuz Member

i am assuming this product is pigmented and is a pre-cat.
i use Sherwin Williams 275 voc pigmented and i don't use and clear topcoat over pigmented color coat. Pre-cat need longer curing time before gets hard maybe 2 months depends the temperature in your area.
i see some ppl spray over but that time it changed the color and look and i prefer not to use.


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12/27/22       #3: Clear coat over Stealth ...
Brent

The pds for stealth and turino both say that you can, but need to, put on a topcoat. I also asked my supplier the same question and he said either way works well. I have always put a topcoat on both products because I like the look, feel, and durability of it better than without. My concern was always dry mill thickness but have had no issues yet. I will never not topcoat it now. Once I dialed in my finishing techniques my prices went up because my priority lies in the longevity of the finish, so I wouldn't try to do it cheaper.

12/27/22       #4: Clear coat over Stealth ...
Jon Member

I believe Stealth is a post cat varnish. I use Matador, which is a similar product. I do not put clear on anything that is mixed in white base. I do put clear over anything that is mixed in a clear base, because I have always felt that the darker colors mixed in the clear base are softer.

I've been doing it this way for a lot of years with no complaints or problems. I do not feel the benefit is worth the extra time for the lighter colors.
You do need to watch your handling for 24 hours to let it get hard. You can handle it, just gently.

The trade off with the clear over the darker colors, is any scuffs or scratches show up white from the scuffed clear coat.

12/27/22       #5: Clear coat over Stealth ...
Jr Lee

I have been using Stealth for several years and have never top coated it with a clear. I really like the results as it has a very nice feel when dry and it dries very quickly.

12/27/22       #6: Clear coat over Stealth ...
Leo G Member

I did this when I was using Resistant. Got the same response from my tech - why?

There are a few benefits. Clear is easier to recoat. Clear is a bit more durable in my opinion.

But the drawbacks are many. Extra time, extra material, more chance for mistakes, clear shifts the color because Krystal has a slight green tint to it.

Coining can be a problem with straight Stealth. Rub a metal object on the finish and it'll leave a streak. Clears don't have this problem. It's easily removed with a damp cloth.

I don't put clear on any of my pigmented finishes.

12/28/22       #7: Clear coat over Stealth ...
Mike  Member

Thanks for the replies, fellas. It gives me a lot to consider.


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