Is there a direct to metal (DTM) clear coat or self etching clear coat on the market?

**Killercanary** · 05-27-2009, 01:11 AM

I want to clear my roll bar instead of painting it the oh so common black. I loved the look of my old chrome roll bar and would like a similar look on my new 6pt. I've been searching all night and have yet to find a direct to metal clear or a self etching clear. From what I've read any other clear will not work as it will allow the metal to tarnish and/or it will turn yellow from UV.

**bgblockelcamino** · 05-27-2009, 02:25 AM

honestly do not think they make it. it doesn't have adhesion properties like paint does. you may be able to find a color close to steel that would work.

**gmkillr** · 05-27-2009, 06:32 AM

Ceramic coating.......................

**stieny** · 05-27-2009, 09:36 AM

I work for SW. I'm on the phone right now with our automotive division to see if I can get anything for you. I'll let you know what I find out.

**Killercanary** · 05-27-2009, 10:19 AM

Thanks guys. I found a rustoleum stainless steel paint that I may try, but it doesn't seem to have the shine that I'd want. As for the ceramic coating Rob, I'd love that but from my understanding ceramic coating like the sterling from jet hot isn't sprayed on but rather done similar to powdercoating which I can't do since the bar isn't removable.

Originally Posted by stieny

I work for SW. I'm on the phone right now with our automotive division to see if I can get anything for you. I'll let you know what I find out.

Thanks! I hope you find something. Even if I can't find a direct to metal clear I'd look for something that has a polished metal look to it. I know eastwood and a few others sell a 3 part chrome like paint but my buddy used it and the results were not that great.

**wickedsnake03** · 05-27-2009, 11:42 AM

here you go paul. alot of hot rod guys use this on all there polished pieces.

http://www.por15.com/GLISTEN-PC/productinfo/GPCGG/

**stieny** · 05-27-2009, 12:53 PM

Paul,

SW doesn't have anything that would work as just a straight DTM clear. I could get a pint of our one stage base/clear in a metal finish color that would work for you.

Let's me know.

**Killercanary** · 06-03-2009, 01:59 PM

Thanks for all of the help guys!

Originally Posted by wickedsnake03

here you go paul. alot of hot rod guys use this on all there polished pieces.

http://www.por15.com/GLISTEN-PC/productinfo/GPCGG/

LOL! I actually found this stuff the day before I put up this thread but I thought that it was for non-tarnishable parts. After I saw your link I called them to see if I could use it and indeed I could. I bought a pint of it and the results seem good thus far although it was fairly expensive. The first coat was PERFECT, but the second coat came out wavy since the humidity was high yesterday. I have to wait a week for it to totally cure before I can sand and buff the waves out so they'll be in there for Carlisle but at least its protected from rust and I achieved the shiny metal look I was going for. The end result looks kind of like the bar was ceramic coated which I'm happy with.

**wickedsnake03** · 06-03-2009, 02:27 PM

glad it worked out for you paul. I have seen alot of hot rod guys use it and figured it would give you the look you were going for.

**biminiLX** · 06-03-2009, 09:37 PM

Glad I found this thread.
Paul--can you post some pics when you're done?
I've been looking at some of those POR-15 options for my cage and would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks, J

**pRojekt02GT** · 06-03-2009, 11:18 PM

pics!!! lol

**Killercanary** · 06-04-2009, 03:21 AM

Originally Posted by biminiLX

Glad I found this thread.
Paul--can you post some pics when you're done?
I've been looking at some of those POR-15 options for my cage and would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks, J

Here's just a few. I am happy with the results, its just that the humidity made the 2nd coat wavy. Its still curing so I had to be very careful not to touch it/nick it tonight to get the interior back in.

**White5.0** · 06-04-2009, 08:55 AM

looks awesome i like that color you painted it

**Killercanary** · 06-04-2009, 09:31 AM

Thanks Ryan. I basically sanded the crap out of it, hit it with a sewn buff wheel with brown rouge, then a softer buffer with white rouge, next with a black sponge buffer with mother's aluminum polish, and lastly I applied the POR 15 Glisten PC to the bare metal surface to keep the shiny metal look. It was a ton of work polishing the entire bar, but the result is worth it I think as its the look I wanted to achieve.