Clear Coat or No Clear Coat

I have a panzer IV muntion shulpper painted and ready for weathering.  This version of shulpper did not have any marking on it so the kit did not come with decals.  This is my first kit without decals, so should I still clear coat the model before weathering with washes, dot filters, etc. or can I skip this step?  I used Vallejo model air paints and Model Master enamel paint on the ammo.