Framebuilders - Frame clear coat help

I just sanded down an old frame I am bery attached to, with with aims at re-painting it. However, I have fallen in love with the bare steel and just want to lay down a think clear coat. I don't have the money or the want for a clear power coat and I want to have a finish with low or no gloss. What would be best to seal it with? Also, I'm cheap and don't want to spend more than $30 on it. There are obvious options like clear spray paint but I want to do better than that. Clear oil-based laquer was a thought. If anyone has a better idea thanks.

Clear paint over raw steel will not last very long. You can do it of course, but if you get one year that will be doing pretty good.

Just a guess here but I'd try some polyurethane clear intended for use on wood. Considering your price range, you don't have many options.

Question: you sanded down the frame intending to repaint it, for less than $30, without using cheap spray paint. So what did you plan to use?

car paint I was given but dislike the color.

Were you going to use an automotive spray gun?

I was going to thin it and use a house paint sprayer. Look Six jours, im trying to work with what I have. Yes, it would be nice to have it done right, but that is not an option for me so answer my question or drop it.

I just clear coated my bare steel frame with Duplicolor acrylic enamel and am happy with the results. I don't see a problem with the quality of the finish or how long it will last based on the last couple weeks of riding. Just be sure to do a good job degreasing the frame and use a tack cloth to make sure there's no dust. That and apply at least a few light coats and one medium coat and you should be good to go.

There was mention in a paint thread over the last few months of a product that is a two part poly clear, but it comes in a rattle can. Apparently very hard. Available at US auto outlets. Not that it will be all that durable over raw metal, but it might be better than the option.

This is becoming one of those questions that is asked frequently, so far I have not heard of a really good answer, that either says what works for pros, or what would work for the rest of us. Sounds like a bit of a looser, where low expectations might be the key. I have successfully polished crazy glue, and it gives some protection, so I would probably try that, hard shinny, and instant.

Low expectations are the key with clear on steel. Steelman used to sell frames like this but I think he stopped due to corrosion migration under the clear.

I saw a frame Mike Appel built with a clear finish that had a spiderweb of rust lines all over it. He was pretty upset since it obviously was going to get worse over time, and he had spent quite a long time polishing it. At the point I saw it, it looked really cool.

Just an update after 6 months of riding. The clear coat itself held up fine. But for some reason, it didn't actually prevent rust from forming underneath it. I guess it's still gas and moisture permeable. So I got it powdercoated just last week.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3354/3620620774_ca3d0b3b19_b.jpg

I just sanded down an old frame I am bery attached to, with with aims at re-painting it. However, I have fallen in love with the bare steel and just want to lay down a think clear coat. I don't have the money or the want for a clear power coat and I want to have a finish with low or no gloss. What would be best to seal it with? Also, I'm cheap and don't want to spend more than $30 on it. There are obvious options like clear spray paint but I want to do better than that. Clear oil-based laquer was a thought. If anyone has a better idea thanks.
Bare steel will rust under the clear coat, and the clear coat won't adhere well without a primer.

apparently there is a clear primer for powdercoat. I still don't understand why people want to do this though.

That's a very nice looking bike!