Thanks for the input. I must confessed that I am a professional auto painter, but I'm semi-retired now and it a pain for me to squeeze spraying my kayaks into the busy collision shop that I work at part-time. I would like to be able to apply the clear coat at home, but don't want spray in my home shop. The overspray would cover everything.
Most modern automotive clear coats come with a range of hardener speeds, and catalyzed clear doesn't react like epoxy resin does when its in a cup.
So Im going to experiment and will post some results for all when I have something finished.
I also should warn anyone else that tries this that the majority of auto clear hardeners contain isocyanate which is toxic and a charcoal respirator should be used. When the clear hardens the toxicity is no longer present.