How to do a quality flat black paint job?

[CockyRooster]

I want to paint the top half of a gas tank flat black, but have it protected from fuel, etc.

Is it all about shooting the clear coat a particular way?

 

[maxandgrinch]

I want to paint the top half of a gas tank flat black, but have it protected from fuel, etc.

Is it all about shooting the clear coat a particular way?

Are you talking being a Krylon King, or real paint with a flattener added?

I think the hot-rod guys are adding flattener to the CC over a flattened paint, and it's working.

 

[CockyRooster]

Real paint. Flattener? I'ze reckons that may be the missing piece. You add it to the base coat and clear both?

 

[auntiebling]

look through the how to paint without compressors etc thread that's stickied, i asked a couple questions about flat clears.

 

[CockyRooster]

im not an expert on flat paint but yes you use a flattener in the clear only. base is already flat. clear is what makes it shine. so the goal is to make the clear not shine if you want it to be safe from fuel. i do believe they sell flat clears as well. it also depends on your spray technique too. ive done one flat blue paint job before and if you spray it like normal clear it wont be flat. if you want to go cheaper, most autobody supplys carry a product by SEM called trim black. its body shop grade satin,flat black. if you are good with spraying paint even you can make it look really nice with no strips. i did my dad harley tank this way and it turned out great. can stain from fuel but doesnt wash away like normal rattle can. its pretty tough. your best bet is to call a supply house with questions. they know what works with what. and im pretty sure now all base coats are water borne so it takes specials guns and dryers to spray. cant use typical guns for it anymore.

Marc

look through the how to paint without compressors etc thread that's stickied, i asked a couple questions about flat clears.

Helpful info there, and that tank looks pretty respectable^^^.

I do have some House of Kolor Kandies laying around from the ol' days.

 

[ar15600rr]

yeah its all about the clear coat, and taking your time.

 

[ST Guy]

What I'd want to know is how the heck does one keep a flat paint job looking good? I presume it can't be waxed.

 

[maxandgrinch]

What I'd want to know is how the heck does one keep a flat paint job looking good? I presume it can't be waxed.

Like this link about the 'Frozen Gray M3,' color option from BMW and paint care

 

[ST Guy]

'Sounds like a pain in the rear.

 

[auntiebling]

What I'd want to know is how the heck does one keep a flat paint job looking good? I presume it can't be waxed.

this is the preferred method for cleaning flat black paints, it's a special color matched soap/wax combination

 

[theRatBiker]

From www.ratbike.org/tips/paint.htm:

-------------------
Flat Black that stays Flat & Black.
1) Sand 450 grit & 600 grit
2) Paint Primer Black, sand 600
3) Paint Primer Black, cheesecloth only
4) Paint Primer Black, cheesecloth only
5) Paint Semi-gloss, cheesecloth only
6) Paint Semi-gloss, cheesecloth only


This will not polish up with contact with legs or arms, will always be flat. Will handle high pressure washer too. (Yes, wash yer bike and wax it once in a while fags).

----------------------

Personally I'm more a fan of the "paint in the rain" method.

Many more quality flat-black painting tips can be found there

 

[yelow748]

There's a few ways to do it but it requires a spray gun and a two part paint or clear to be gas prof.
One option is PCL 26 flat clear which is a 4 to 1 mix. Comes in quarts and gallons, next would be Hotrod Flatz which is also a 4 to 1 mix and they have a boat load of other colors too which can be ordered on line.
We used to carry both but due to a price change from flatz it's cheaper on line than through our supplier.

 

[CockyRooster]

From www.ratbike.org/tips/paint.htm:

-------------------
Flat Black that stays Flat & Black.
1) Sand 450 grit & 600 grit
2) Paint Primer Black, sand 600
3) Paint Primer Black, cheesecloth only
4) Paint Primer Black, cheesecloth only
5) Paint Semi-gloss, cheesecloth only
6) Paint Semi-gloss, cheesecloth only


This will not polish up with contact with legs or arms, will always be flat. Will handle high pressure washer too. (Yes, wash yer bike and wax it once in a while fags).

----------------------

Personally I'm more a fan of the "paint in the rain" method.

Many more quality flat-black painting tips can be found there

There's a few ways to do it but it requires a spray gun and a two part paint or clear to be gas prof.
One option is PCL 26 flat clear which is a 4 to 1 mix. Comes in quarts and gallons, next would be Hotrod Flatz which is also a 4 to 1 mix and they have a boat load of other colors too which can be ordered on line.
We used to carry both but due to a price change from flatz it's cheaper on line than through our supplier.