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He told me that the clear that he has has some sort of UV protectant in it.
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Understand, I'm going back twenty-five plus years now, but I used Metalflake Brand clear coat on some work I did back then. It was truly 'clear' in the can and gave a fantastic finish. HOWEVER, it did not hold up well to exposure. I think most of the slightly amber tinted clear coats DO contain some amount UV protection additive. Maybe that's what gives it the tint.
BTW, I'd LOVE to find some vintage R&M Black acrylic lacquer! (Or some DuPont 99L.)