how to acheive a flat finish?

[Ed]

Hi guys,

Im about to paint a car with a desired "flat", no shine, finish.

Using Acrylic I was just going to shoot the colour and then not buff and use no clear.
colurs are solid, non metallics.

this should give me a flat finish right?

paint guys is trying to steer me to 2K but I'm certain I can achieve this with acrylic.

any advice appreciated.

Cheers

Ed

[FC427]

Easy Ed just add flatting base to your colour you buy it in 1 liter tins that should be more than enough ...start of with around 8 to 1 and add more if you want less shine if you are using black or dark blue  as the colour be carefull not to add to much flatting base as it can ghost the black .or blue , mix a liter at a time  and spray let dry for half an hour  and inspect till you get the right mixing  formula..  hope this helps ...FC427.....

[Ed]

Hi Mark,

That helps alot, I was mistakenly under the impression flattening agent was only for 2K paints.

One more question, If I need to fix anything, can you still rub it back and buff to a flat finish (I realise, that sounds stupid...)

Cheers

Ed

[2door350]

I did some test panels for my 2door using acrylic.  It is not durable at all and it will scratch, scuff, watermark very easy. you cant polish/buff it or it will go shiny again.

ben

[Ed]

Hi Ben,

Yeah I agree ... I've had flat black on some cars in the past and it looked great when fresh, but then greyed out and went streaky with age.

I just did my ute with 2K and it has that great 2K durability and shine, this however is supposed to be a "budget" job with the objective of being not shiny.

the non buff option is looking easiest and simplest.  Just looked up the paint data sheets and the flattening agent is in fact a "texturing agent" so the surface would be come grainy??

Seems alot of trouble to achieve a shitty finish.

Cheers

Ed

[FC427]

 Ed  Flatting base has been around long before 2K was even though of  ....  Might be a good idea to put a few coats on let it dry over night and then   cut it with 1200 and then spray the  last few coats and leave the finish off the gun you will get a much better look ....FC427......                                                                                                                                                            

[Ed]

yeah good advice Mark,

will spray it out on a test panel first.

thanks!

Cheers

Ed

[waynos]

gt matt black acrylic from wattyl is what i used
very durable,good colour black
dont buff or ya get a glossy finish of course

[Ed]

thanks Wayno, but it's goint to be the std colours dark blue over light blue (forgot the names) but just dull  :-X I mean not shiney.  :D

Cheers

Ed

[waynos]

mate  try r&d paints at condell park for flattening agent etc

[ratbox]

when i do mine it couldn't be easier (mostly the reason i do it ;D ) mix flattener into yor acrylic paint i use 5-10% then mix with thinners as usual and spray no textureing no buffing unmask and drive, i don't keep my cars long enough to talk to much about durabillity but i've never had any of the probs mentioned by 2door350, years ago i used GMH black that streaked etc and another was black primer and as you would expect years later was fairly sad, a mate has a '54 plymouth been flat blue for about 8 years with no dramas
use a strainer as the flattener can get powdery balls in it

[Ed]

thanks ratbox,

I knew you'd chime in on the subject of non shiny paint!

Waynos will try R&D if my local guys (Pronto/Alexandria) can't get it.

Cheers

Ed

[JB]

I usually belt it with a hammer for a flat finish Ed..  :o :o ;D

[Ed]

 :D :D

that'd be hammer-finish Jas!

;)

Cheers

Ed

[customFC]

Satin body, shiney top.

Regards
Alex

[Ed]

Hey Alex,

Yeah just like that pic!

Always impressed with your library of pics.

Cheers

Ed

[ratbox]

i know that car ;) and who painted it ;D

[fcv85l]

you can also use acrylic or 2k and use a satin 2k clear over it and its easy and durable