Clear coating TRA tips, ticks, advice needed.

[ReigntheGamer]

So I have finally got my TRA Grand shining like a mirror and I love the looks of it, but I am wanting to keep it that way without constant polishing. I have it completely broke down and any areas that wouldn't benefit from clear coat masked with painters tape. But I am hesitant to just start spraying away in fear of making it look worse than better. So I was wondering if anyone has been through this process and if so had any advice for me to ensure it comes out as best as it can.

My thoughts so far are to start light and apply multiple coats to avoid bubbling or running. I've already polished and coated my aluminum button covers this way and they look nice but the whole mod is another story with so much more surface area to cover. Thanks in advance.

ETA: Obviously I don't want to give it ticks, stupid auto correct.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

ETA: Obviously I don't want to give it ticks, stupid auto correct.

Oh. I was about to recommend this...

http://www.petsmart.com/dog/flea-tick/sentry-flea-and-tick-tropical-breeze-dog-shampoo-zid36-5121888/cat-36-catid-100006;pgid=3ONWu_pZDQlSRpv4T41Thv_P0000gCRljICj;sid=ZHoDP-H-_SQAP7UUSulFO9H0IQZULaSCM2jiuAA9?_t=pfm%3Dcategory

 

[zmauls]

I'm also interested in the answer to this question. I polished it once and the mirror finish lasted about two days. I've grown to love the beat-up, run-down, weathered look of my home-made TRA LP, but a perma-shine could be fun.

 

[pennysmalls]

Good luck Reign, I chickened out on doing that to my mini that I stripped and sanded. I wound up buying a clear jwrap for it instead. I'll be listening in to see what kind of tips and tricks you get.

 

[ReigntheGamer]

Good luck Reign, I chickened out on doing that to my mini that I stripped and sanded. I wound up buying a clear jwrap for it instead. I'll be listening in to see what kind of tips and tricks you get.

Hmmm that sounds like it might just be what I'm looking for and nothing a little goo gone and re-polish wouldn't fix if I didn't like it. Thanks Penny!

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Hmmm that sounds like it might just be what I'm looking for and nothing a little goo gone and re-polish wouldn't fix if I didn't like it. Thanks Penny!

Note that jwraps leave some gaps (e.g., top ledge, I believe).

There's gotta be enough peeps who've protected a CV to pop in here and help you out.

 

[ReigntheGamer]

Note that jwraps leave some gaps (e.g., top ledge, I believe).

There's gotta be enough peeps who've protected a CV to pop in here and help you out.

The top would probably be ok it's mainly where I hold it that finger/palm prints are left that makes it look hazy and nasty. I am still thinking clear coat would be awesome but the jwraps is a great back up plan.

 

[muzichead]

I clear coated a circle door once. Gave it a good 5-6 coats and it only lasted about 2 months before spots started wearing in... It is something you need to keep up on. I would also think before touching it up after some wear you would have to strip it to keep the look the same. New clear coat on top of old clear coat will give a yellowing effect. I use J-Wraps on both of my grands now. Very easy maintenance.

 

[CMD-Ky]

I went the clear J-Wrap rout on a copper-vein. I bought two wraps. I started the wrap right at the edge of one side of the the door slide. There was gap on the other side of the door of slightly more than 1/4". For that gap, I cut a sliver of the second just a little wider than the gap using a straight edge and an exacto knife. For the bottom, that exacto knife cut a small hole for the spring screw.

On the other smaller gap areas, I used clear nail polished stolen from that most fortunate of all women, Mrs CMD-KY. Before applying to the copper vein, I warmed the REO slightly so that I could "massage" the wrap into the vein. The application went onto and into the textured copper vein very well. This wrap has withstood five months of constant use and some abuse. It shows no signs of needing any corrections or repair. If one is a real stickler for perfection, by holding the REO to the light in a particular way, the overlap of the two wraps is visible.

I would send a picture but I have the oldest and dumbest of the old dumb phones; I only talk on the phone, so I am somewhat atavistic both by nature and by duration of life. I have no idea how to upload, either. I know, no picture so it didn't really happen - just call me "The Brian Williams of ECF". But, it did happen and it looks good.

 

[ReigntheGamer]

I think I am liking the sound of the jwraps even if there is a 1/4" gap I can split the difference on each side minimizing it to 1/8" and even though I am a perfection junkie I can polish those gaps with my tshirt every once in awhile.

I just needed something to keep mainly the back (non door) side smudge free. Think I am going to try that first and if I don't like the results possibly clear coat it and if it turns out to be disastrous good reason for a new Reo, win and win.

 

[supertrunker]

I only clear coated a copper vein, but i j-wrapped my beaten to death black Grand.

If it a well used or beater Reo, the benefit of clear-coat is hard to justify. You are better off just polishing a TRA once a month if that polished look is important to you. Mother's mag polish is a 5 minute fix.
You could also cover it.

With a j-wrap, you really will need to get the door (easy) and back just right - but you can also peel it off and have a few goes to satisfy your OCD. I left the piece for the bottom off, because it's never seen.

T

 

[ginny005]

I stripped my mini and a grand and was wondering the same thing I polished the mini and wiped it down really good. Then sprayed rustoleum that says its for metal on it and it pooled in various spots on the reo. Probably needed to wipe the polish off a little more but I think I'm gonna go with the jwrap also.

 

[zmauls]

I clear coated a circle door once. Gave it a good 5-6 coats and it only lasted about 2 months before spots started wearing in... It is something you need to keep up on. I would also think before touching it up after some wear you would have to strip it to keep the look the same. New clear coat on top of old clear coat will give a yellowing effect. I use J-Wraps on both of my grands now. Very easy maintenance.

That's more than enough for me to say, "Nevermind!"

I only clear coated a copper vein, but i j-wrapped my beaten to death black Grand.

If it a well used or beater Reo, the benefit of clear-coat is hard to justify. You are better off just polishing a TRA once a month if that polished look is important to you. Mother's mag polish is a 5 minute fix.
You could also cover it.

With a j-wrap, you really will need to get the door (easy) and back just right - but you can also peel it off and have a few goes to satisfy your OCD. I left the piece for the bottom off, because it's never seen.

T

Looks nice, T! Denim pockets are not nice to a polished finish, unfortunately.

 

[ReigntheGamer]

I only clear coated a copper vein, but i j-wrapped my beaten to death black Grand.

If it a well used or beater Reo, the benefit of clear-coat is hard to justify. You are better off just polishing a TRA once a month if that polished look is important to you. Mother's mag polish is a 5 minute fix.
You could also cover it.

With a j-wrap, you really will need to get the door (easy) and back just right - but you can also peel it off and have a few goes to satisfy your OCD. I left the piece for the bottom off, because it's never seen.

T

OCD should be my initials and mothers is what I used to get it the way it is. If I put it next to a medicine bottle I can read the fine print and something tells me no matter how careful I am trying to clear coat it I will wind up with bubbles or runs. I am thinking a jwrap applied while wearing latex gloves is the way to go at this point.

 

[CMD-Ky]

I like the latex glove Idea, I never thought of that. If I ever need to wrap another, I will remember

OCD should be my initials and mothers is what I used to get it the way it is. If I put it next to a medicine bottle I can read the fine print and something tells me no matter how careful I am trying to clear coat it I will wind up with bubbles or runs. I am thinking a jwrap applied while wearing latex gloves is the way to go at this point.

 

[ReigntheGamer]

I like the latex glove Idea, I never thought of that. If I ever need to wrap another, I will remember

I have a bunch from detailing my car to not leave fingerprints figured the same might work for this application.

 

[supertrunker]

That's more than enough for me to say, "Nevermind!"



Looks nice, T! Denim pockets are not nice to a polished finish, unfortunately.

Back in the day, Karen used to give away covers for Reos, and my TRA lives in one to save all that polishing. That was disallowed a while back, so the only way to keep such a mod polished now is steel wool pubes and a hole in pocket.

When people look at you oddly you say - "i'm polishing my mod".


T

 

[MamaTried]

Back in the day, Karen used to give away covers for Reos, and my TRA lives in one to save all that polishing. That was disallowed a while back, so the only way to keep such a mod polished now is steel wool pubes and a hole in pocket.

When people look at you oddly you say - "i'm polishing my mod".


T

covers? might check the FB group...

i polished my first TRAs to mirror finish, then got tired of chasing fingerprints. now i just beat the hell out of them. i like the rough look better.

 

[zmauls]

Back in the day, Karen used to give away covers for Reos, and my TRA lives in one to save all that polishing. That was disallowed a while back, so the only way to keep such a mod polished now is steel wool pubes and a hole in pocket.

When people look at you oddly you say - "i'm polishing my mod".


T

"Is that a Reo in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"