How to Use Clear Top Coat
Guild Lane Clear Coat is our water-based protective top coat, designed to add an extra layer of durability where your project needs it most. Suitable for painted and unpainted surfaces, indoors and out, it dries crystal clear to protect your finish without altering the colour beneath. Available in Matt, Satin and Gloss, it lets you choose the level of sheen that best suits your project. Whether you're protecting a painted dining table, kitchen chairs, decorative furniture or outdoor projects, Guild Lane Clear Coat helps preserve your finish while allowing the colour beneath to remain the focus.
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Matt, Satin or Gloss? How Sheen Affects Your Finish
The sheen you choose can subtly change the look of your colour and the way light moves across the finished surface. Matt gives the lowest level of reflection for a softer, more understated finish. Satin introduces a gentle sheen, catching the light without appearing highly polished. Gloss gives the greatest level of reflection, bringing more shine and visual depth to the surface. It is also our recommended Top Coat over metallic finishes when you want to add protection and retain their lustre. Here you can see examples of the different sheens over light, medium and dark paint colours and wood. On deeper colours in particular, a higher sheen can make the colour appear richer as more light is reflected from the surface.
How to Apply
Top Coat
Step by Step
2
Stir Well
Stir thoroughly before use. Do not shake.
3
Apply
Use a good quality brush or roller. Apply in even, thin coats.
4
Dry Time
Dry to the touch in 1–2 hours. Re-coat once dry.
5
CURE
Apply 2 thin coats. Full cure is achieved in 21 days.
Remember that dry and cured are not the same thing. Your Top Coat may feel dry within a couple of hours, but the layers beneath are still hardening. Paint and each additional coat of finish all add to the overall curing time.
Gentle use is absolutely fine while your project is curing — just take a little extra care and avoid heavy wear, knocks, standing water or vigorous cleaning while the finish continues to harden.
The more time you allow the complete finish to cure, the harder and more durable it will become.
Do I need A Top Coat?
Not every project needs an additional top coat. Jubilee paints by Guild Lane are designed with excellent durability built into their finish, so for decorative pieces and surfaces that receive only light use, extra protection may not be necessary.
Clear Coat is most beneficial for projects that experience frequent handling, regular cleaning or everyday wear, such as dining tables, kitchen furniture, shelving and other high-use surfaces. It also gives you the flexibility to adjust the final sheen of your project, whether you prefer the understated look of Matt, the soft lustre of Satin or the greater reflection of Gloss.
For outdoor projects, the need for a top coat depends on the surface, the paint used and the conditions it will face. Rather than applying it automatically, consider how and where your finished piece will be used, and choose additional protection where it will
make the greatest difference. Looking for inspiration? Explore our guide to painting outdoor furniture.
Top Tips
Prep is key: Always ensure your surface is completely clean, dry, and free of any dust or grease. If you are applying it over a glossy surface, give it a light sanding first to ensure optimal adhesion.
Stir, don't shake: Always stir the top coat gently before use. Shaking water-based finishes can introduce air bubbles that will be visible in your final finish.
Keep it thin: Apply the top coat in thin, even layers rather than one thick coat. This gives you the best finish.
Use the right tools: Use a high-quality brush or roller for the smoothest application and finish. Our Guild Lane Mottler Brushes are designed to apply water-based paints and Clear Coat evenly for a beautifully smooth finish.
Know your surfaces: Guild Lane's top coats are incredibly versatile. You can use them on wood, painted furniture, metal, cork, stone, glass, ceramics, and even paper or leather.
Inside or out: These top coats are formulated to be durable and crystal-clear for both interior and exterior projects.
Looks White.
Dries Clear.
The milky appearance in the tin is what allows our top coat to level beautifully and dry crystal clear, giving you a tough, long-lasting finish you can trust.
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Clear Coat for Other Surfaces
Guild Lane Clear Coat isn't just for furniture or wooden surfaces. As a water-based protective top coat, it provides a durable, crystal-clear finish for a wide range of painted surfaces, creative projects and mixed materials. It can be used on wood, painted surfaces, metal, cork, stone, glass, ceramics, paper and leather, as well as to seal decoupage projects.
This versatility makes Clear Coat ideal when a project combines different materials or when additional protection is needed. Apply in thin, even coats and consider how much handling, cleaning or everyday wear the finished surface will receive. For delicate, unusual or highly absorbent surfaces, always test in an inconspicuous area first.
Preparation and Clean Up
Prepare: Make sure your surface is clean and dry and use a clean, dry brush or roller before you begin applying Top Coat.
Clean up: Wash brushes and rollers thoroughly with water after use and allow brushes to dry flat. For the best finish, work in light, even coats. Top Coat will usually be dry to the touch in 1–2 hours, but allowing more drying time between coats will help each layer dry and harden properly. For the best result, we recommend leaving the first coat overnight before applying the second.
Protect Your Project for Years to Come
Choosing the right sheen is the finishing touch that completes your project. Whether you prefer the soft look of Matt, the gentle lustre of Satin or the greater reflection of Gloss, Clear Top Coat protects your hard work while enhancing the beauty beneath.
Explore the Colour Picker
If you're still choosing colours for your project, explore our Colour Picker to find your perfect shade before applying Clear Coat.
