How to tell if my car has a clear coat?

I am doing some repair work on my 1988 rx7 and I need to know if it has a clear coat on the factory paint?





Thanks in advance.How to tell if my car has a clear coat?
No you don't have clearcoat for an '88, I had an '87 Supra with no clearcoat. I'm always aware of that when I'm doing finish work.


I think clearcoat came in around '93 or so.How to tell if my car has a clear coat?
Get some car polish. Polish an area on the car using a soft rag as an applicator. If the applicator turns the same color as your car, then you do not have a clear coat. If it stays the same color as the wax, then you have clear coat.
Use a cotton ball and fingernail polish remover.





Find an inconspicuous spot and rub it for 5 seconds..


If it comes off clear, you have clear coat.


If it's kind of colored, it's not.
If it has spots where theres flaking, then it does.
scratch it with a key, then you would be able to tell