Protective clear coats are divided into two main categories: one-component and two-component clear coat. The main difference lies in how they are hardened, in other words, in the way they will dry once applied on the paint. Single-component clear coats are ready to use, while two-component clear coats require for the base and a catalyst to be mixed before application.
One component clear coat
Composition : it has within the spray can/jar all the necessary components to form the film that will make the product dry.
Drying : it hardens simply by evaporation of the solvent.
Pro : it's easy to use, ideal for small car touch up jobs and the product that is not used can be preserved over time.
Cons : is less resistant to chemical and mechanical agents than bi-component clear coat, it last less and has a tendency to fade or yellow over the years.
Two component clear coat
Composition : It requires a special type of cans that has a container isolated inside the spray itself. Such container is filled with hardener and can be activated at the time of use. In the jar, the mixture of the two components is divided as follows: a base (pigments and resin) and a hardener (hardener).
Drying : It hardens through a chemical reaction between the two components and forms a very resistant film.
Pros : It is highly resistant to scratches, chemical agents and mechanical stress. It last longer, over time, then a 1K clear coat. It has a better aesthetic result on the car touch up job.
Cons : It is more expensive, because it requires special spray cans. It has longer drying times and the instruments used to paint, need to be cleaned thoroughly.
Finally, two-component clear coats are recommended for jobs that require high strength and that need to last a longer over time, while one-component clear coats are more suitable for quick and easy applications.
