Paint Question - Flattener?

The 'suede' colors are popular for hot rods. That's done with some amount of flattener.

<edit> That thread has this quote from 327AMC: "many common flatteners are silicas, clays, and talcs. All with their own drawbacks depending on their app. (toxicity, reduced corossion resistance, reduced flexability, settling, etc.)"

Sounds like flattening could reduce durability - do you want that?

 

I've used a flattening agent Dupon 4351S, forget what I paid for about a quart size . Little goes a long way. Used it with Imron paint to flatten it 30 to 40 percent. Seems to affect durability in direct relation it's flattened. I'll just use the synthetic enamal from TSC and be done with it. It's not as glossy as automotive paint but seems pretty durable especially when you add the hardner. I like the flat look on streetrods....but it's a fad that comes and goes. I'd bet you might find it hard to live with day after day. I've run primered cars they are harder than hell to keep cleen. Can't Imagine you'd like it after taking the bedliner off because it was hard to keep clean and rough textured. hth

 

If you can find a color you like, you might try farm equipment enamel it is very durable and not too shiny or too expensive.

 

The guys over at Desert Rat Truck liked the flat black on my '60.

just good ol' cheapo spray can flat black from Home Depot. Like about .95 a can. you take your time and pay attention you can get it to come out nice and even. I was just trying to keep the elements away from the raw metal.R)

 

I'm still lookin for a flat clear coat paint,anyone ever hear of such a thing

 

I called the guy that I buy my paint from in fact who I buy the flattning agent from. He saw no reason that that it wouldn't work with enamal . I looked at whats in the can: naptha, alchohol, and talc are really all the ingredients nothing there you really couldn't use in enamel. If you just want to cut the gloss buy some 2200 grit sandpaper and block it that'll give you a nice satin egg shell look and it's cheaper than a repaint.

 

you dont need anything to make enamal flat just wait til its cold outside and dry spray it trust me it will be dull

 

When I painted my bike, I told the paint guy at he parts store I wanted a flat white with just a hint of blue. He was able to set me up with flat epoxy primer, paint and clear coat. Without the clear, it is a bear to keep clean but the end results were three first place trophies at the bike shows. Seems people really liked the flat paint. Since everyone else was going broke on custom paint. So, just talk to your local paint store.

 

PPG makes a line called Flexed N Flat (or something close). It's a base coat/clear coat system.

Also check out Hot Rod Flatz which is a similar product from another company.

I've heard good feedback about both products. They're supposed to be more durable than primer alone or flattened paint. As far as I know, you're supposed to use both parts of their 2-part system. I'm sure they don't recommend their clear being used over someone else's basecoat but who knows...

 

What happens when you put hardener in flat paint? Does it help with the durability? Does it make it shiny?

 

house of kolor makes a flat clear but its high

 

A couple of weeks ago on the tv show Trucks they painted a truck a glossy black then applied a flat black clear coat. They said it was just released by the manufacturer, dont remember but I think possibly Dupont.

 

I used implement paint on my JEEP. Caterpillar yellow. $30/gallon at any Cat dealer. It is more of a satin in my opinion. I knew I would scratch it wheeling so I didn't spring for the high $ stuff. The black is Blitz Black from John Deere. It is a flat black but seems to scratch much easier than the yellow. Good luck

 

Olive drab is nice and flat....