well one thing I am sure of is that you are better off with urethene rather than acrylic paint b/c it lasts longer. As far as quality, synthetic, then acrylic, than urethene. I'm not sure about the base coat/clear coat idea tho. In the end both would last as long as you take care of it. Use a marine wax instead of car wax or Zaino car polish and you should be fine.