How to Add a Clear Coat to a Paint Job

Adding a clear coat to a paint job will provide protection from normal wear and tear, scratches or gouges, but that's not the only benefit. You can also change the appearance of your paint by applying a clear coat in a semi-gloss or high-gloss variety. These glossy finishes add shine to your paint job and make it easier to wipe clean, which is convenient if you used a flat paint. If you don't want to change the appearance, look for a satin finish clear coat.

Things You'll Need

• Extra fine sanding sponge
• Tack cloth
• Clear polyurethane
• Foam paintbrush
• Paint roller
• Lint free towel

Instructions

1. Sand the dry paint with an extra fine sanding sponge. You won't be able to fix any rough spots or blemishes on the surface of the paint after the clear coat is applied so sand them away now.

2. Wipe the painted surface with a tack cloth when you finish sanding to remove any dust or dirt.

3. Apply one layer of clear water-based polyurethane with a foam paintbrush or a paint roller and wait for it to dry.

4. Wet an extra fine sanding sponge in clean water and sand the dry polyurethane until it feels smooth. Dry the surface with a lint free towel.

5. Repeat steps two through four to apply a second coat of polyurethane to the paint job.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find polyurethane in the paint section of most home improvement or hardware stores.

References

• "Paint Saves the Day"; Lucianna Samu; 2009