i recently painted and clear coated my old bike b4 i ordered a new bike...the clear coat helps protect the paint from bubbles in the paint, it makes it look shiner and nicer, and it protects it from bird **** and helps prevent rust...id suggest to sand very lightly w/ the finest grain u can get...id wait more than 30 mins in between paintin or else it wont turn out right id suggest clear coatin it ever 1 1/2 -2 hours...clear coat is well worth the money and the time...