Currently painting my car after doing some paint repairs from garage accidents and bad paint prep from previous painters. The paint that was on it is just a base coat without a clear coat. I am also thinking about selling the car soon, I just don't drive it enough and interests have shifted to other things. If I do choose to sell, I am interested in a buyers perspective from you all and if not having a clear coat would affect your valuation of the car or push you away from wanting to buy.

Thanks!

Unless it's single stage paint, you need both. BC,CC is a system. You need the cc to protect the bc.

Without clear coat you’re not going to end up with depth and shine.

Or paint after some time in the elements!

I understand the purpose for cc and such. After doing some research the paint I'm using is considered a single stage paint, but you can add a urethane clear coat per the PDS. I am still interested in peoples opinion on the valuation of adding the clear coat, and if it would steer people away from purchasing or lower the value of the car to them.

If it's a metalic, YES
If it's not -NO unless the mfg requires it.

It isn't metallic and it doesn't require it per the PSD, but would it be more desirable to you if you were a potential buyer if it had a clear coat?

No.

I don’t think that’s even on a buyers mind. If the paint is shiny and new I’d just look at other potential issues before buying. But if the paint quickly faded or dulled, I wouldn’t have any favorable comments regarding the seller, i.e. DAPO issues.

If it was a car I'd be keeping I'd add clear to the single stage (if it's acrylic urethane anyway) in progressively increasing amounts thru the various coats - which is a sort of "auto restorer's secret" so to speak. It adds depth and increases durability. But I doubt a buyer is gonna weigh a decisions on it. AU tends to have good gloss as is, BTW.

It is an acrylic-enamel with an 8:1:1 ratio.

Yea, but don't be confused.. that just means 8 parts of color to 1 part thinner to 1 part activator....
What I was talking about is ALSO mixing up a separate clear and then adding/mixing in a little to each individual coat that gets shot on the car. Rather than a putting a thick clear film on after the 'main' paint job. I have no experience with enamel, so not sure if it works with it. Though if the PSD specifies a clear (to go over the top) then it probably would work. YMMV - so if you do it.. be sure to shoot practice panels first!!
It's usually more of a show car thing for vintage cars that 'should' be in single stage paint. So, again, not necessary for a car that might get sold off.

No expert here, I believe in original paint, they were single stage, the question really is do you want it to have a factory type shine/finish or a more of show car type of shine/finish. But show car would take multiple coats and some polishing…….I guess a personal preference and skill set question….

Weird answers here. Clear is definitely NOT a negative. UV damages paint and fades colors, specially red. Every time you buff a scratch out you take a bit of paint off. Clear works as a shield for the color coat, so it will look nice for a longer time. Nothing wrong with using single stage for the body and adding clear over the outside surfaces.

I have to re-polish my black single coat 914 every year. Luckily the patina look is in. It's getting repainted a different color when the time comes... probably white - I have yet to do 'paint correction' on a white car

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That comment was when I was under the impression that he was taking about doing a base coat / clear coat system as base coat only.

Base coat without clear coat barely looks like paint, has no gloss, has no durability, and is never done. OP was talking about single stage (all-in-one) paint. It already has the gloss and UV stuff built in. Because it is in direct contact with the elements it needs to be cut & polished & waxed often to keep it's luster. Clear over SS keeps it pretty longer.

More desirable? No

Thank you all for your input! Appreciated greatly.