is it really necessary? i have about 5 layers of flat acrylic paint on, that i will rub back with 1500-2000 then polish or should i rub back with something else and clearcoat?

is the clearcoat any different to paint, as in it protectiveness of the metal? will i still have to rub back the CC after painting it or does it go on smoother and shinier thus only needing a polish?

its more work so i dont want to do it unless it has major benefits.

could anyone enlighten me please.

You only need clearcoat on metallic colours. It gives you something to cut back without disturbing the metallic flakes in the colour coat.

For a plain colour, not needed.

Clearcoat is no different to colour as far as shine / smoothness / protection / etc.

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1970 ex Group A Rally P510
1971 P510
1972 180B SSS
1965 SP310 Fairlady
1966 SP311 Fairlady

I've found that a few coats of clearcoat comes up alot shinier than none.
Straight off the gun you can see it.
It also gives you more paint to rub back.

I agree clear coat on Acrylic paint adds alot more shine and helps with chips as well. Spry a spare panel half with clear and half without. Rub it back and buff and you will see the difference straight away. As for 2 pak a solid colour will not really need a clear over the top if the painter is any good anyway.

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1928 Model A CC Pickup

thanks guys, I like Dave's reply as it involves less work for me

probably will carry on with just the paint rub back and polish see how that looks and decide further from there. this is no fancy show car though so i think my mind is now made up.