I would make sure the turquoise paint is totally dry, before putting clear on it.

wait the 48 hours before clear

The turquoise is enamel as well right? Lacquer ≠ enamel and they don't go together. I'm asking because Rustoleum does make a turquoise spray lacquer.

Spraying clears and ending up with a professional looking finish takes some work and technique. You will want to burn multiple coats of clear into each other in 10 minute phases. The crowd who has really figured out how to do this well is actually the DIY car refinishing crowd. I'd go watch a few videos on Youtube to see how to get the best result possible out of a rattle can.

It looks like it is, in fact, an enamel (although it is not clearly labeled). Thanks for the video suggestion. I had seen a lot of Google results about cars but wasn't sure if that would be the same process. I will check them out. And I'll wait 48 hours.

Thanks all!!!

I think the clear counts as a coat. I applied incorrectly before reading instructions and the paint looked like I had put stripper on it - shriveled up and delaminating.

Applying coats 3-5 minutes apart doesn’t seem right to me. Shouldn’t the 1st coat of paint be dry to the touch before the next coat is applied? I am not a paint pro, but I have spray painted lots of accessories in my life.

@ratherbesewing, I would have thought the same, but the instructions say "Apply two or more light coats a few minutes apart. For best results, apply several light coats versus one heavy coat." From my reading, it seems you either want the paint to still be a little wet (within a few minutes) or completely dry (48 hours). Otherwise, you run the risk of "wrinkling."

I will be starting shortly. Wish me luck!

My new phone renders vibrant colors but not always the right warmth. It is much warmer than the pic looks. And "they" are right. Spray paint gets everywhere. Lol. I did make a "spray booth" but it was kinda half-assed.

Looks nice, although it is coming in here very blue, and not turquoise. :-))

SPP where did you get the Stops Rust Gloss Clear Enamel? I have some painted metal outdoor ornaments that I want to treat before putting outside and I haven't found anything that seem right yet. I've just been looking at the mart mart stores, not real hardware ones yet . . .

pinkmountain, I got it at Walmart. This whole thing was so crazy. I didn't know which blue I wanted, plus I wanted the gloss and the primer, so I ordered/did pick-up of like 6 different products at a combo of Walmart, Menards, Joann, and Amazon.

Are you sure you need a clear coat? A well applied spray paint coat may not need a clear coat.

SS, the metallic paint isn't glossy, so that's why I'm doing a clear coat. Slight touch-up today, clear tomorrow! :)

What kind of clear did you end up going with and did you get it on from shooting it only or did you wet sand at the end?

It was Rustoleum Stops Rust Clear Gloss Enamel, and I only sprayed. I don't even know what wet sanding is. I had hoped it would be quick, only a few coats, but I ended up needing to use the whole can. There are a couple slightly drippy areas, but they are small and not noticeable. Overall I am very happy with it, but I don't want to do something like that again.

@stillpitpat Wet sanding is after your clear coat is done and dry, you take sandpaper made to work while wet, get it wet, and sand the clear coat to a glass smooth factory looking finish, then finish up with a polishing compound. We are talking incredibly fine grit here like, you start with 1000 grit, then go to 2000 grit to finish, then a polishing compound. It is how a high end paint job ends up looking like a mirror. You certainly don't HAVE to do that though, it doesn't do anything other than improve looks, it does not make the finish any tougher, and it looks like you got nice results without it.

SPP solid good job! Great color,