The properties of reactive oligomers and telechelic polymers help to overcome the conflicting requirement profile of the waterborne and powder clear coats now in industrial use. Using current life-cycle analyses, functional oligomers as low-solvent varnishes, so-called Super-Solids with over 85% solids content appear in the USA to be a medium-term economic and ecological alternative to waterborne or powder clear coats provided existing plant for solvent-based coatings can continue to be used.