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Resin is not only for adhesion (by which I assume you mean to initially adhere the carbon to the part), but you also need to lay several layers of epoxy resin on top of the cloth (called flow coats), then wet sand those smooth. I typically do 3-4 flow coats, and I wet sand all the way up to 2000 grit, then polish with Meguier's scratch remover. Then clear coat.
The clear coat is just to protect from the sun...epoxy resin is UV sensitive and well yellow with exposure to sunlight...so no, even if you are clear coating it (which you should), you still need to apply the same amount of resin flow coats. Remember, if done correctly, clear coat does not add any significant thickness to the piece.
