Clear paint chip protection, whether it be from chips or cracks is an extremely important and highly essential aspect of ensuring the long life and appearance of any given paint project. Chip buildup is often unavoidable in many cases, particularly on older and historic painted surfaces. However, using a clear paint additive can often prevent or significantly reduce chip buildup depending on the application method used. It should be noted that most paint chip protectors are formulated to provide protection to pre-existing painted surfaces. There are also paint chip protectors that are specifically formulated for unfinished wood, painted walls, or counter tops.
How To Uses Clear Paint Chip Protection
The most common types of clear coatings include acrylic paints, latex paints, and clear polyurethane paints. Acrylic and latex are two of the most widely used types of clear paint chip protectors, especially for interior and exterior use. A clear paint chip blocker should only be applied to bare and naked wood or exposed masonry or concrete surfaces, never to painted or finished surfaces. There are a wide variety of paint chip protectors available both in retail stores and online, and many of them can be bought directly from the manufacturer for relatively inexpensive prices.
Regardless of which type of clear paint chip protector is used, applying the product to the surface being protected is very important. Any chip in the paint should be immediately sanded or “tumbled” to eliminate the possibility of re-soiling occurring in the future. The primer should always be applied to the surface being protected, and the clear coat usually requires a couple of coats for full coverage. While some chip protectors do produce a non-skid feel when applied to bare or finished wood or concrete, this must be deferred to a separate coating and should never be applied to wood or concrete surfaces prior to having the clear paint applied.