Renegade II - Hood Stripe Flattening

this may be difficult to describe, I'm getting ready to repaint the center hood stripe on our RenII. Factory literature describes the stripe to be flattened. This was common on areas that may reflect light.
I have the cowl portions of the side stripes still in place and have a new hood stripe decals yet to install.
The cowl stripes definitely have a semi gloss finish, the new decals not so much.
Bought paint and flattener today and notsure what % to go.
I may end up matching the new decals, remove to old completely and go with my best guess that matched new decals..

 

Not sure just what your question is Steve. Are you asking if the center stripe had the same gloss as the side decal strips? If so, no the center strip was a simi- flat paint, not as glossy as the decals. I admit that after years of waxing, mine center strip was pretty shinny but when I bought it, the center was not what I would call glossy, in matter of fact in certain light it looked almost like a dark charcoal color. The original decals were pretty glossy. Here is a pic. of a set of original decals, not new reproductions. You can not tell how glossy they are in the picture, but if you could set them in person you could tell.

Mike




This is a picture when it was about 4 months old and it looks like the center was kind of glossy, but that is because of waxing it and the way the light was.

 

You got the jest of my question. I did not know if the original hood stripe matched the decals. I noticed the new side stripes are "glossier" that the existing.
If I install only the side of hood stripes they will not match the cowl portion of the stripes (thus may replace the cowl stripes with reproductions).
Lastly painting of the center stripe. I have just a small portion of the center stripe existing (underside of front of hood where it wraps under. It has a thin over spray of yellow when the hood was repainted that I I might be able to buff off to determine how flat it was painted.
For such a small detail, I still want to get it right. I'm thinking I'll install the side stripes, see how well they match the cowl, then play around with % flat by painting some test metal to knock down the reflective sheen of the hood stripe. I recall 20% as a number that was required by safety standards.
Thank you again for helping with this project.

 

Add a little and test spray. Flat or semi is the hardest to spray and get to look good. Paint is mixed by the gram if you knew the gloss you wanted the paint shop should be able to make it. My “local” paint guys have a gun they can shoot the finish with and mix to match.

 

Just my opinion but, I would want it all to match as closely as possible. I would install both the hood and cowl decals (not just the hood), then play with the paint for the hood stripe till I got a good or near match, as you suggested. It would look like a half hearted effort if you did the hood stuff and left the cowl in it's old decals.

 

Gist. Jest is something else entirely.

I think you have two possible approaches. Mix some and test, or ask someone who uses the flattener reqularly. Try posting your question on the painting forum at autobody101.com

 

my bad, I must have wrote my gist question in jest! I talked with te dupont paint rep while I picking up paint. He also paints show quality cars as a hobby.
While he has not see the original stripe, or paint, or decals he offered similar comments. I believe I'm going to find the new decal does not match the existing old (due to wear and tear of old and material difference of new. I also thing the small portion of paint that is preserved under the hood will not be representative of the flattened paint.
Plan now is to replace all the decal, and to mix us 15 to 20% flattened. I saw what 25 and 33% flattened looked like and I think it will be way to flat as it nearly appeared gray.
Black takes flattening very well.
us engineers should have spent more time paying attention in english class. ever read an engineering report. sure to bring sleep tothe most passionate insomniac.