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Quick question, where can I buy clear coat and how do I apply it?
I used Plasti-kote Clear Acrylic Enamel, which I purchased at Pep Boys.
Spray on a couple of thin coats first, which won't look very good, then put on several coats of clear (at least 4 coats). You will know when the coat of paint is thick enough, because the rough or dimpled surface of the paint will flow together, and look as smooth as glass. Stop there, to prevent overshooting, and causing runs.
For me, the biggest problem is dust or dirt particles landing on the painted surface. If it happens, don't try to remove it. You should wait until it dries, and then rub it out with compound, and reshoot the clear.
After you are done painting, and the clear has cured for a couple of days, buff the clearcoat with a little compound and then polish.
If you want a really good job, expect to reshoot the clear a few times. It's worth it, though. You will appreciate your efforts every time you see your car!
Originally posted by Kodokan_4
I used Plasti-kote Clear Acrylic Enamel, which I purchased at Pep Boys.
Spray on a couple of thin coats first, which won't look very good, then put on several coats of clear (at least 4 coats). You will know when the coat of paint is thick enough, because the rough or dimpled surface of the paint will flow together, and look as smooth as glass. Stop there, to prevent overshooting, and causing runs.
For me, the biggest problem is dust or dirt particles landing on the painted surface. If it happens, don't try to remove it. You should wait until it dries, and then rub it out with compound, and reshoot the clear.
After you are done painting, and the clear has cured for a couple of days, buff the clearcoat with a little compound and then polish.
If you want a really good job, expect to reshoot the clear a few times. It's worth it, though. You will appreciate your efforts every time you see your car!
Good luck!
-Pete
Thanks for the instructions! Two more...
->Plasti-kote Clear Acrylic Enamel comes in a spray can?
->"compound" meaning wax?
Well, I'm not totally feeling this look either. I'm glad to be rid of the "H"s, though!
Honda made the caps giant, so they will have a huge billboard for plastering their "H". After shaving, they look even bigger. In this pic, the cap is not flush, I just put it in part way, so I could take it right off. This pic is before clear coating, so it is shinier than the wheel.
Just for fun, I stuck one of the lens caps from one of my cameras onto the wheel. Now, I think I might paint them black or gunmetal, and I'm supposed to be picking up some gloss black lug bolts on Friday, to test them out with the new look.
-Pete
Pete, you have way too much time on your hands. Those mods don't really make any difference in my view, visual or otherwise. BUT, I guess people could do whatever pleases themselves right. Take care! And have fun doing other stuff, as I'm sure you will be doing soon.
A little tip I use when painting any small items such as caps, headlights, tail lights, etc...
If you can get your wife out of the house or convince her to let you use the bathroom to set up a small paint studio. I like using the bathroom becuase you can use the exhaust fan to help clear out the paint fumes.
I use a large cardboard box set on top of the sink/counter area to hold whatever I'm going to paint and to prevent overspray from getting all over.
This also helps keep small particles and dust from falling in the item you're painting.
Those mods don't really make any difference in my view, visual or otherwise. BUT, I guess people could do whatever pleases themselves right. Take care! And have fun doing other stuff, as I'm sure you will be doing soon. 
