Clear coating for heat/cleaning.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by kenlav, Jul 6, 2025 at 12:17 PM.

  1. kenlav

    kenlav Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2023
    27
    7
    0
    Location:
    94546
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Im thinking about spray can clear coating my car. i dont want to paint it, dont care how it looks, this would purely be for convenience/comfort. My thinking is that, its super old, matt, sun burned and rough surface (gritty kind of). If i just cleaned it, prayed clear coat, it would make dust, dirt, etc not stick as much, easier to clean, and it would reflect more sunlight to keep it cool.

    anyone do this before or have any advice? would it work? and if so, what steps/instructions do you recommend? i prefer to keep it simple. i dont want to sand the whole car and make it perfect, like i said i care 0% about cosmetics, just function.
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    12,183
    2,150
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Why not get a cheap buffet and polish compound the car . Then you could take it a step further after it's all nice and smooth and actually wax car w a polymer ? Maybe .
     
  3. highmilesgarage

    highmilesgarage Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 28, 2022
    435
    157
    0
    Location:
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    how would you make the clear coat stick to you car without sanding the surface? at least it needs 800 grit for the clear coat to stick.
     
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    9,584
    5,884
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Honestly you would be better off finding some 1st generation American with a shop on the poor side of town to do a quickly tape and spray job.

    Yes you can get some improvement with additional clearcoat but the cleaning and heat benefits won't be there. The problem is the original clearcoat has been lost in an uneven manner and new clearcoat will provide an equally uneven finish even though it may be smoother and look marginally better. It will only be smoother if you don't end up with runs, which is a common spray can issue.
     
  5. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,516
    2,433
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Clearing your "patina" with a rattle can? Really? No disrespect, but that is nothing but a waste of time, effort and money.
     
    #5 frodoz737, Jul 9, 2025 at 12:23 PM
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2025 at 12:30 PM