ProtectaClear amateur application completed. Easy to do!

I have to say for those of you that are considering ProtectaClear but on the fence, I’ll say do it, and do it yourself unless you have money to burn or physically can’t or don’t want to. I’m no pro but with time and a couple old fashioned’s and good music, I can do anything. I’m very very impressed. No fingerprints. The process works. I’m no paid spokesperson or anything (unless my reviews go viral on here then they better hook me up) but as scary as it may seem at first, it’s really a simple process and the product fixes itself so put it on, move on, and don’t go back too fix anything because it will mostly fix itself. After an hour of drying (I just had to try it) I put my hand on the door panel and NOTHING!! Plus it seems to add a smoother texture to the truck. So far I’m super glad I didn’t wrap. I’m telling you the SS CT will be in the minority… until this gets out!

Looks amazing! I want to do this with my truck when it arrives. How long did it take?

I started yesterday at about 10:30 in the morning but did a heavy wheel wash before the car wash application. I’d say about 4 hours for the prep work and first coating, then I finished this morning putting a second coat on that only took about 1 hour.

ProtectaClear was 100% going to be my path until I saw some posts here that seemed to highlight some of the challenges of getting the finish consistent. Since that, I’ve been on the fence. Interested in your process and what you learned along the way that may be helpful.

Throwing in my experience that I posted in another thread about this.

Just wanted to drop my 2¢ here for new people since I applied it about two weeks ago. It was tricky to apply and took three coats to get really even coverage. I can still see some small spots where it dribbled a little or didn't quite even out but only from a couple feet away if I'm looking for it. Overall it's held up great so far and gone through some heavy rains. Dust and pollen that gets on it wipes right off without a problem.
I'm happy with how it performs especially for the cost but just be aware that it is a time intensive process and requires a lot care in the application.
A couple recommendations for people applying it, I had heard that the isopropyl alcohol in the kit didn't work very well for cleaning but that denatured alcohol did so that's what I used and it was great. When cleaning do that outside in full sun so you can better see any slight residue but apply the coating in the garage with the door open to prevent dust and bugs getting on it and to let the fumes out. I had to clean inside my garage and missed a couple spots because there wasn't enough light to see then properly. After cleaning you'll want to put frog tape and drop sheeting over the plastic and side windows. The can of protectaclear is way more than you need. Only pour out a little at a time. When applying the coating you don't need much and one applicator should get you through one entire coat. The second and third coats will get tacky almost immediately so don't get sloppy on those. Wear a double set of gloves when using the coating, I found it would start to diffuse through my nitrile gloves by the end of a coat.

I think that's everything. It's not difficult but it does take care and patience to do.

jpend said:

ProtectaClear was 100% going to be my path until I saw some posts here that seemed to highlight some of the challenges of getting the finish consistent. Since that, I’ve been on the fence. Interested in your process and what you learned along the way that may be helpful.

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First of all, when they say trust the process, trust the process. Do not worry about rainbow streaks or uneven marks so much. Absolutely do not try to go back and fix any problems (they will fix themselves while curing). I like the microfiber circular applicator best and it applies better than the rectangular pad. Take the time to mask off the truck like you see in my pictures. Make sure the outdoor temperatures and humidity are in range (it’s a big range). Be patient, watch the videos on YouTube. Clean the truck correctly and off your happy about the cleanliness of your truck after washing it, it will be even better once the product is applied and dries.
Have the solvent at the ready so you can clean up any spills asap. I was able to clean most spills off the protectaclear with the isopropyl alcohol easily.
just finished the first day of drying in the sun and I can palm the truck and nothing. I can’t wait to be able to wash it in a few days. I have about 2 or 3 touch ups but that will only take about 15 minutes.

solvent is to clean spills on the ground?

GatorCyber said:

solvent is to clean spills on the ground?

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Not sure if that’s what you want to use it for especially if you have a treated surface. I bought acetone in order to strip ProtectaClear off the truck if I messed up and needed to start over which I did have to strip the hood and redo. I used 99% isopropyl alcohol to clean spills off the hard plastics (which wasn’t much because I taped them off) but I do have a spill that I will try to rub acetone on a very tiny part of the bumper if I have to or can’t scrape it without damaging it.

Sounds amazing. This appeals to my inner cheapskate. How long is the treatment supposed to last?

Lowcoe said:

Sounds amazing. This appeals to my inner cheapskate. How long is the treatment supposed to last?

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Up to two years if done correctly and yes I did it as well to save a buck or $3000. It was/is a very simple process but just takes time. I think it’s a great weekend project. I started Saturday morning. Did each process then to a break. I finished all in all in about 4 hours, then touched it up Sunday morning and sat it outside after waiting about an hour for the few touch ups I had. Today is day 3. Going to take it outside when the sun comes up and let it sit all day again. I’ll wait until Thursday to wash it.

You should help out of spec do theirs lol

Noblelr3 said:

I have to say for those of you that are considering ProtectaClear but on the fence, I’ll say do it, and do it yourself unless you have money to burn or physically can’t or don’t want to. I’m no pro but with time and a couple old fashioned’s and good music, I can do anything. I’m very very impressed. No fingerprints. The process works. I’m no paid spokesperson or anything (unless my reviews go viral on here then they better hook me up) but as scary as it may seem at first, it’s really a simple process and the product fixes itself so put it on, move on, and don’t go back too fix anything because it will mostly fix itself. After an hour of drying (I just had to try it) I put my hand on the door panel and NOTHING!! Plus it seems to add a smoother texture to the truck. So far I’m super glad I didn’t wrap. I’m telling you the SS CT will be in the minority… until this gets out!

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Noblelr3 said:

I have to say for those of you that are considering ProtectaClear but on the fence, I’ll say do it, and do it yourself unless you have money to burn or physically can’t or don’t want to. I’m no pro but with time and a couple old fashioned’s and good music, I can do anything. I’m very very impressed. No fingerprints. The process works. I’m no paid spokesperson or anything (unless my reviews go viral on here then they better hook me up) but as scary as it may seem at first, it’s really a simple process and the product fixes itself so put it on, move on, and don’t go back too fix anything because it will mostly fix itself. After an hour of drying (I just had to try it) I put my hand on the door panel and NOTHING!! Plus it seems to add a smoother texture to the truck. So far I’m super glad I didn’t wrap. I’m telling you the SS CT will be in the minority… until this gets out!

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It felt like it was going to be a pedicure except bigger.

Gurule92 said:

You should help out of spec do theirs lol

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I just heard about them giving a bad review. I’m really surprised because he nailed the BKF and Windex process. It really works but takes a lot of effort at well. That was a 4 hour job with one person. Only problem I have with that Out of Spec process is it only lasted me less than two months and I keep my truck garage and cleaned.
I’ll watch that video OoS put out later today.

It’s just an easy yet time consuming process. Trust me I’m not special. I just did one step at a time after watching the video about 2-3 times and following the step by step directions they send (which is the same)

Noblelr3 said:

I have to say for those of you that are considering ProtectaClear but on the fence, I’ll say do it, and do it yourself unless you have money to burn or physically can’t or don’t want to. I’m no pro but with time and a couple old fashioned’s and good music, I can do anything. I’m very very impressed. No fingerprints. The process works. I’m no paid spokesperson or anything (unless my reviews go viral on here then they better hook me up) but as scary as it may seem at first, it’s really a simple process and the product fixes itself so put it on, move on, and don’t go back too fix anything because it will mostly fix itself. After an hour of drying (I just had to try it) I put my hand on the door panel and NOTHING!! Plus it seems to add a smoother texture to the truck. So far I’m super glad I didn’t wrap. I’m telling you the SS CT will be in the minority… until this gets out!

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After trying to apply it and fix it over the past month, I'd say I have money to burn. They actually sent me your photos as an example. Well done!