Favorite Go-To for gloss finish on autos

[Dan the Modeler]

Looking to see what the auto builders go-to is for that high gloss shine on your autos. I have used Future Floor wax in the past with great results, but I haven't built anything requiring that high level of a shine in a long time. I'm not sure if it still works for models these days. Any input?

 

[Edbert]

I want to know too.

At the IPMS show last year a guy who won 1st in more than one category (might have been lying) swears he used a rattle can of whatever "gloss clear" from the local auto parts store. He did admit to a lot of polishing, but I think that is true for 1:1 scale autos as well, the more sanding/buffing/polishing you do the better the paint looks.

 

[Dan the Modeler]

It is true for many clear coats. I know when building drums, I used acrylic clears that are basically the same as Luther's would use on guitars, but you have a sealer coat(s) you would build up and sand between coats until you were around 800 grit or so. Then apply several gloss coats, sanding between them, but you would have to let them cure a while because they would burn into each layer.

It was pretty forgiving, but I'm not sure I would use automotive clears on styrene, it can be pretty hot stuff. I can always go the old school route with acrylic clears and use Zona papers to sand/polish up. Just looking for new insight from our fellow model gear heads that may have better ways these days.

 

[Belugawrx]

I've been using Alclad Aqua Clear Gloss..won't ruin decals or alligator any paint and can be polished to a high shine, if needed.
I really don't like the 2K clear look, goopy deep clear coat..kinda unnatural at scale.