Short answer: National N.C. Auto Lacquer Clear is a clear lacquer based on nitrocellulose and alkyd resin, in gloss or matt. It is for automobiles, wooden furniture, kitchens and cabinet work, and it is the clear coat in National’s N.C. car and wood systems. It is touch dry in about 15 minutes, recoats in 1 to 2 hours and is hard dry in 2 to 3 hours at 30°C. It covers 10.5 to 16 m² per litre.
N.C. Clear or Synthetic Varnish?
| N.C. Lacquer Clear | Synthetic Varnish | |
|---|---|---|
| Resin | Nitrocellulose and alkyd | Alkyd |
| Touch dry (30°C) | 15 minutes | 4 hours |
| Recoat | 1 to 2 hours | 6 to 8 hours |
| Base coat on wood | N.C. Sanding Sealer | Bare or stained wood |
| Thinner | Lacquer Thinner | G.P. Thinner |
| Flash point | 7°C | 38°C |
Key facts
| Type | Nitrocellulose and alkyd clear lacquer, single pack |
| Uses | Automobiles, wooden furniture, kitchens and cabinets |
| Finish | Gloss or matt, clear |
| Volume solids | 32 ± 2% |
| Spreading rate | 10.5 to 16 m² per litre (theoretical) |
| Film per coat | 20 to 30 microns dry (60 to 95 wet) |
| Drying at 30°C | Touch dry 15 minutes; recoat 1 to 2 hours; hard dry 2 to 3 hours |
| Application | Spray (airless 2000 to 2200 psi, tip 0.017 to 0.020 inch; air 50 psi), brush or roller |
| Thinning | 15 to 20% with National Lacquer Thinner |
| Flash point | 7°C |
| Shelf life | 18 months, sealed |
Step 1: prepare
- Wood: dry, rubbed down with glass paper and dusted, per National’s surface preparation guide.
- Steel and car panels: degrease, then remove rust to Sa 2.5 or St 2, before the primer surfacer.
Step 2: the systems
| Car finish | Clear wood finish |
|---|---|
| N.C. Primer Surfacer × 1 | N.C. Sanding Sealer × 2 |
| N.C. Putty or Polyester Putty × 1 | N.C. Wood Filler × 1 (open grain) |
| N.C. Primer Surfacer × 1 | Auto Lacquer Clear × 2 |
| Auto Lacquer Topcoat, Metallic or Gold | |
| Auto Lacquer Clear × 1 |
What the numbers mean
Coverage = 32 × 10 ÷ 30 ≈ 10.7 and 32 × 10 ÷ 20 = 16 m² per litre. A clear coat shows runs and dust more than colour does, so thinner, even coats near 20 to 30 microns dry work best.
How much to buy
| Area | 1 coat (car system) | 2 coats (wood system) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 m² | about 0.6 to 0.95 L | about 1.25 to 1.9 L |
| 25 m² | about 1.6 to 2.4 L | about 3.1 to 4.7 L |
| 50 m² (kitchen run) | about 3.1 to 4.7 L | about 6.3 to 9.5 L |
Mistakes to avoid
- Clearing over bare wood. The wood system starts with Sanding Sealer.
- Heavy coats. Runs show clearly in a clear film.
- Poor ventilation. With a 7°C flash point, keep ignition sources away.
Frequently asked questions
Gloss or matt?
Both are available. The data sheet gives one set of figures for the clear, so plan quantities the same way for either.
Where can I compare wood finishes?
See all wood finishing systems.
Buy in Sharjah and Dubai
Al Tashteb Al Saree is an authorised National Paints retailer in Bu-Tina, Sharjah. Message us on WhatsApp for gloss or matt Clear and Lacquer Thinner.
Sources
- National N.C. Auto Lacquer Clear data sheet (PDF)
- National Paints surface preparation guide, Sec. A-2 (PDF)
All via AEC Online, retrieved 4 November 2026. Quantities are our own calculations. The main image is illustrative.
