Clearcoating cockpits?

I don't clear coat cockpits. Its not an area that handeled once its fitted and i very rarely need to put decals in pits.

I hear you.  But it can still get dusty or faded if left on a shelf open canopy.  Plus some folks might want to hit it with semi-gloss to deepen the contrasts, no? 

If I use a grunge wash in the pit I will clear it, otherwise I usually don't.

BK

If I've used enamel gloss paints for switches, levers, knobs, and weather it up a bit. I give the pit a shot of Dullcoat to knock the gloss down and protect the washes.

Jim  

Depending upon any washes I may use in a cockpit, I may hit it with a flat coat to heighten the wash contrast before installation and before I apply any clear to replicate instrument lenses. 

Oxboy

I hear you.  But it can still get dusty or faded if left on a shelf open canopy.  Plus some folks might want to hit it with semi-gloss to deepen the contrasts, no? 

 

Indeed, but a clear coat is not goingt to stop that. And the pit is less likely to fade than the outside. But there is no harm in giving it a clear coat if you wish.

If I know it is going to be sitting around for quite awhile before I get back to it I put a couple of small dots of poster tack on the bottom of the canopy and let it sit.  For planes where I am going to display with cockpit open (two piece canopies, I put a tiny bead of poster tack all around canopy mounting surfaces and mask the hole canopy, then stick it in place while I spray the plane. I have never had any paint get inside, so I assume no dust or other crud would.