 So what is a clear coat? The top clear coat portion of a base coat clear coat paint system is a transparent layer of paint that is designed not only to create gloss for the base coat, but also add a layer of protection to that base coat. While clear coats certainly add vibrance and protection, they are also very sensitive to abrasion and can magnify the appearance of swirls and scratches. So it's very important that you always use products that are designed for clear coat technology. Along with clean and fresh accessories like car wash mitts and microfibers to minimize any chance of creating swirls.