Sealing a painted composite stock?

I bought a rifle with a painted (DIY) composite stock. I like to seal it with some sort of clear matte finish. Any recommendations for the product I should use? Thanks

Krylon Clear Sealer, Flat

Flattening paint is done by adding silica to the paint and it will disturb the surface as the solvents evaporate. The solvents are usually water in acrylics (urethanes usually) at first and then lesser amounts of hydrocarbons... point in the description, the surface is rough and will wear quickly making it a poor sealant. For serious sealing always use gloss and roughen the surface.

On the other hand, the stock probably does not need it.

Not sure where you came up with that. I spent a good deal of my career working with coatings and that's the first I've heard that. Coatings are flattened by adding more pigment by volume to the coating and using pigment with a coarser grind. Gloss paint uses more resin and less pigment, and the pigment is finely ground. In any case, we are talking about a clear coating. How do you get a clear coating when you add sand to it?
There is no silica in Krylon Clear sealer.

Krylon Clear Sealer, Flat

Really, how come they use it in every other matte finish they sell, but not this one? Silica has been the cheap and easy route to matte finishes for a very long time. You will find references everywhere to avoid matte finishes if durability is going to be an issue for the reasons I stated. There is silica in all of their matte finishes. It does not have to be listed on the MSDS because it is considered inert and is covered under nondisclosure rules of proprietary mixtures.

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Originally Posted by Sitka deer

Really, how come they use it in every other matte finish they sell, but not this one? Silica has been the cheap and easy route to matte finishes for a very long time. You will find references everywhere to avoid matte finishes if durability is going to be an issue for the reasons I stated. There is silica in all of their matte finishes. It does not have to be listed on the MSDS because it is considered inert and is covered under nondisclosure rules of proprietary mixtures.

Sitka, I took a closer look at the MSDS for the Krylon flat clear sealer and I see that indeed there is +/- 3% Amorphous Silica in the mix. You were correct on this and I stand corrected. Amorphous Silica is a hazardous substance with an OSHA exposure limit and is listed on the MSDS sheet.
I have not found references "everywhere" to avoid matte finishes. In fact, they exist for a reason and are common. When I use this finish on a painted stock I typically apply 5-6 light coats and have never had issues with it wearing off; if it did it is a simple matter to re-apply.

Originally Posted by NVhntr

Not sure where you came up with that. I spent a good deal of my career working with coatings and that's the first I've heard that. Coatings are flattened by adding more pigment by volume to the coating and and using pigment with a coarser grind. Gloss paint uses more resin and less pigment, and the pigment is finely ground. In any case, we are talking about a clear coating. How do you get a clear coating when you add sand to it?
There is no silica in Krylon Clear sealer.

Krylon Clear Sealer, Flat

Just wanted to say, I appreciate hearing good info like this from people who know their stuff, so thanks for sharing. I've heard the silica thing before too, but that's outside my expertise so I never really knew the truth of it.

Originally Posted by NVhntr

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Originally Posted by Sitka deer

Really, how come they use it in every other matte finish they sell, but not this one? Silica has been the cheap and easy route to matte finishes for a very long time. You will find references everywhere to avoid matte finishes if durability is going to be an issue for the reasons I stated. There is silica in all of their matte finishes. It does not have to be listed on the MSDS because it is considered inert and is covered under nondisclosure rules of proprietary mixtures.

Sitka, I took a closer look at the MSDS for the Krylon flat clear sealer and I see that indeed there is +/- 3% Amorphous Silica in the mix. You were correct on this and I stand corrected. Amorphous Silica is a hazardous substance with an OSHA exposure limit and is listed on the MSDS sheet.
I have not found references "everywhere" to avoid matte finishes. In fact, they exist for a reason and are common. When I use this finish on a painted stock I typically apply 5-6 light coats and have never had issues with it wearing off; if it did it is a simple matter to re-apply.

No harm no foul, and thank you for rechecking. And too, thank you for pointing out silica is now required on the MSDS.

My background in finishes runs heavy to clear wood finishes and in that portion of the industry, silica is the primary matting agent. I can show you many references to avoiding matte finishes due to wear issues if you fail to find them.

You could both be right. Silica is added to matte varnish and clear paint where there is no pigment. Now if you have a pigment adjusting the size and quantity of the pigment would do it. But I don't know if that's what they do.

Originally Posted by nighthawk

You could both be right. Silica is added to matte varnish and clear paint where there is no pigment. Now if you have a pigment adjusting the size and quantity of the pigment would do it. But I don't know if that's what they do.

It depends on the pigment...

I finish all my painted stocks with Acra-Coat - toughest stuff I've worked with the last ten years.

Originally Posted by Offshoreman

I finish all my painted stocks with Acra-Coat - toughest stuff I've worked with the last ten years.

If you do not mind the yellowing...

It's not really noticeable with medium to dark colors. I do gray, green, tan - some with spiderweb, & black - don't notice a yellowing effect.

Originally Posted by Offshoreman

It's not really noticeable with medium to dark colors. I do gray, green, tan - some with spiderweb, & black - don't notice a yellowing effect.

Absolutely, if on dark colors and such the yellowing is not an issue.

Winter camo patterns will really show it.

You may have a point there - not exactly an issue here

I thought I read you just got you some?

I'm 20 miles from the coast between Charleston and Hilton Head - we've not had any snow yet - most of the time when we do, it's in Feb or Mar. Not much hunting then

I usually go with the Krylon for simplicity but Brownells has a spray epoxy that is pretty tuff. Yes it will yellow but not an issue on dark colors or camo. It will also sugar up or get chalky over time but by that time it is ready for a redo. Imron used to have a clear version and this was the best, not sure if it is available anymore. A clear gel coat is probably tops on wear resistance and also non yellowing but trickier to spray right, but it is worth the learning curve. These come in both polyester and epoxy with the latter being much better.

The polyester finishes are much stronger and harder, but that only makes it harder to get a matte finish. They really "shine" when used for gloss finishes.

And that pesky thing about a spray booth and supplied air...

Good info here. Learned something new. Thanks!