About Awlcraft SE
A basecoat, not a finished topcoat — Awlcraft SE carries the color and effect, then must be overcoated with an Awlgrip clearcoat.
Awlcraft SE is a basecoat — not a finished topcoat. It carries the color and any metallic, pearl, or special effect, and must be overcoated with an Awlgrip clearcoat (Awlgrip HDT Clear, Awlcraft 3000 Clear, or Awlcraft 2000 Clear) to provide gloss, UV protection, and the final mechanical surface.
The product is fast-drying with excellent opacity, which makes it ideal for quick application and easy spot repairs. Custom colors, including color matching from a sample and digital color support through MIXITcloud, are available across the SE palette.
⚠ Spray Only — Clearcoat Is Required
Awlcraft SE is designed for spray application only and must be overcoated with an approved Awlgrip clearcoat. It is not a stand-alone topcoat. Do not apply accelerators (X-98 / X-138) to Awlcraft SE.
The Basecoat / Clearcoat System
Awlcraft SE always works as part of a three-layer system — primer, basecoat, clearcoat.
545 Epoxy Primer
Properly prepared substrate primer, sanded P320–P400
Awlcraft SE
Basecoat — color & effect, 3+ coats
Awlgrip Clearcoat
HDT Clear / Awlcraft 3000 Clear / Awlcraft 2000 Clear
The basecoat is responsible for color, opacity, and any metallic flake or pearl orientation. The clearcoat provides the gloss, the depth of image, the chemical resistance, and the bulk of the UV protection. Choosing which clearcoat to pair with SE depends on the performance you want from the finished system — see the table below.
Choosing a Clearcoat
| Clearcoat | Best For | Repairable / Buffable |
|---|---|---|
| Awlgrip HDT Clear | Highest gloss, best DOI, best long-term gloss retention. The premium pairing. | Yes |
| Awlcraft 3000 Clear | High gloss with the proven Awlcraft application process and the new color platform. | Yes |
| Awlcraft 2000 Clear | The traditional Awlcraft clearcoat. Proven, fast-drying, easy to spray. | Yes |
| Awlcraft CS (Matt) | For a satin or matt finish over color — choose the gloss level by blending OJ0300 (low gloss) and OJ0301 (medium gloss). | No (do not tape, do not buff) |
Specs at a Glance (Basecoat)
Key application parameters for the basecoat layer at standard conditions (77°F / 25°C, 50% RH).
Components You Need
Every component required to complete an Awlcraft SE basecoat application (clearcoat sourced separately — see system table above).
| Component | Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Awlcraft SE Basecoat | OE / OP / OL / OS Series | The pigmented base — solid, metallic, pearl, and special-effect colors |
| Awlcat #2 Spray Converter | G3010 | Required converter |
| Spray Reducer | T0001 / T0003 / T0005 | Choose by temperature; T0003 is the default for 70–90°F shop conditions |
| Clearcoat (required) | HDT Clear / 3000 Clear / 2000 Clear | Selected based on the desired final gloss and performance |
Mix Ratio & Reduction
The reducer is part of the working mix for SE, not an optional add — this is different from the other Awlgrip topcoats.
1 : 0.5 : 0.15 One part Awlcraft SE Base, half a part Awlcat #2 (G3010) Spray Converter, plus 15% reducer — measured by volume. The reducer is part of the working mix, not an optional addition. Use T0001, T0003, or T0005 selected by your shop temperature.
Induction time: none required.
Pot life: Awlcraft SE basecoats have a significantly shorter pot life than regular topcoats — mix only what you can spray in a single session.
Equipment cleaning: T0001, T0002, or T0003.
⚠ Do Not Add Accelerators
Do not add Pro-Cure X-98 or Pro-Cure X-138 to Awlcraft SE. The product is already fast-drying and the accelerator chemistry is not compatible with the basecoat formulation.
Spray Application Process
Step-by-step sequence for a full Awlcraft SE basecoat application.
- Substrate.
Awlcraft SE goes over a properly cured, sanded Awlgrip primer (typically 545 Epoxy Primer). Sand the primer to remove all gloss, vacuum and blow off, then wipe down using the two-cloth method with Awlprep T0008 (NA/AP) or Surface Cleaner T0340 (EU). Use only light amounts of solvent — heavy solvent on a cured primer can affect adhesion.
- Tack the surface
with Awlgrip Deluxe Tack Rags (#73009) or use clean compressed air over the basecoat to reduce dust contamination. Light pressure only.
- Mix 1 : 0.5 : 0.15
Base : Awlcat #2 (G3010) : reducer (T0001/T0003/T0005). Stir to a smooth, homogenous mixture.
- Set up the gun.
Recommended starting points: SATA SATAjet 5000 RP Gravity (1.0/1.3 mm, 1.8/2.3 bar), SATA SATAjet 3000 K RP Pressure (0.8/1.1 mm, 180–220 ml/min, 1.8/2.3 bar), DeVilbiss Pro Lite Pressure (TE 40 cap, 0.85 mm, 1.8 bar), Iwata WS 200 SP Pressure (O1 cap, 1.0 mm, 2.5 bar).
- Apply 3+ coats
until full opacity is achieved. Recommended wet film thickness ~2 mils (50 microns) yielding ~1 mil dry per coat. Effect colors (metallics, pearls) may require additional coats and a careful, consistent gun stroke to keep the flake orientation even across the panel.
- Allow proper flash between coats
— minimum 60 minutes recoat time at 77°F. The basecoat may not become completely tack-free between coats, which is normal.
- Apply clearcoat
within the maximum overcoat window of 3 days at 77°F. Tack the basecoat with clean compressed air or Awlgrip Deluxe Tack Rags before the first clear coat.
Recoat & Clearcoat Windows
Awlcraft SE alone does not enter service — full system cure is set by the clearcoat you apply over it.
min
min
days
Keep the Basecoat Clean
Awlcraft SE basecoat must be kept clean at all times before clearcoat application. Use clean compressed air or tack rags to remove dust between coats. Oil contamination can be removed with light amounts of Awlprep T0008 (NA/AP) or Surface Cleaner T0340 (EU). For heavy contamination, consult your local Awlgrip representative before clearcoating.
Do's and Don'ts
Quick-reference rules that cover the most common Awlcraft SE application mistakes.
Do
- Always overcoat with an approved Awlgrip clearcoat — HDT Clear, Awlcraft 3000 Clear, or Awlcraft 2000 Clear.
- Mix exactly 1 : 0.5 : 0.15 by volume — the reducer is part of the working mix, not optional.
- Keep the basecoat clean with compressed air or tack rags between coats.
- Apply clearcoat within the 3-day maximum window.
- Use MIXITcloud or consult your local Awlgrip rep for color matching support.
Don't
- Don't apply Awlcraft SE without a clearcoat. Without clear, you have no UV protection, no gloss, and no chemical resistance.
- Don't tape over the basecoat for boot lines or stripes until 90 minutes have passed at 77°F, and remove tape before clearcoating.
- Don't add accelerators (X-98 or X-138) to the basecoat mix.
- Don't brush or roll Awlcraft SE — spray only.
- Don't exceed 3 days between basecoat and clearcoat without abrading.
- Don't apply over a contaminated basecoat — re-tack and verify the surface is clean before laying clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common contractor and DIY questions about Awlcraft SE, sourced from our technical support line.
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