Which option best completes the description of a coating system that uses a basecoat followed by a protective top layer?

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The coating arrangement described relies on a colored layer beneath a clear protective film. The basecoat provides the color and any special effects, while the top protective layer (the clearcoat) adds gloss and durable protection against UV light, chemicals, and abrasion. This pairing is what defines a basecoat/clearcoat system.

The other options don’t fit as neatly: a single-stage system combines color and gloss in one layer with no separate clear top coat; a primer system focuses on the underlayment for adhesion and corrosion resistance rather than a color layer plus protective top film; a topcoat system refers to the outer layer but doesn’t specify the colored base beneath it.