you can clear when ever you want, only if you drive it of course road debris would have to be cleaned if driven, and about the flex agent earlier, mine doesn't crack or chip unless it is hit solidly, and if it does i just scuff it and repaint it. i personally dont clear coat my kit due to touch ups, you can actually touch up the paint pretty easy if it doesn't have a coat of clear on it, mine came out with a pretty good shine, but mine is white-one of the easiest colors to match