Interesting effect but how do I repeat it ?

[AlxxNova]

I had to use my airbrush to do some touching up with a fine metallic red yesterday. Today I noticed some specs of red metallic here and there on the black base coat. At first I was mad that I didn't notice them before I used the intermediate clear, but the more I looked at it the more I liked the effect. They are really fine flakes and only noticeable up close in the sun light.

So now I'm wondering how do I repeat it all over the tank and fenders. I'm thinking if I were to mix a very, very, very small amount of the cinder red fine metallic basecoat in with one of the clears (everything I'm using is HOK ) that it would give me the lightly speckled look over all the parts. If it will work I'm wondering just how little red to add (as in a few drops to say 12 oz of clear). I'm looking for a really light and scattered appearance to the metallic. Something you would only notice up close.

 

[rex]

The easiest way would probably be mix up some of the red metallic in your gun and dust over the parts from a distance.You'd have to experiment but I'd say a fast pass at about 3ft away would work.Then just clear over it,but don't tack it and put a light coat of clear on from a distance so the air pressure doesn't disturb it.Once it's locked in with a light coat you can put a normal coat on.

 

[AlxxNova]

I was out in the garage thinking about what I might do when I noticed a practice fender that I had cleared a week ago and saw those same metallic flakes. Which meant they couldn't have been under that paint. So after a much closer inspection of the new parts I noticed that it was actually on the surface.

So by using some 1000 grit wet paper and soapy I could get some of it to move but it would just get stuck in another spot. So before I try to flake the whole thing are there any tips or hints on how to remove them?

 

[TAZ]

It is virtually impossible to keep a black base black without getting a small amount of flake from getting onto the black when you are doing any type of flames or graphics. This could be caused by anything from--

-not completely cleaning the gun out before clearing.
-the booth filters not being clean
-tacking off the graphics and dragging the metallic flakes across the black-then clearing (if not intercleared or cleared)
-Leaving the lid off the black and metallic overspray gets into the can of straight black
and the list goes on...

But anyway, one suggestion, though it is a time consuming one, is to backtape the graphics or flames, then respraying the black.
Alot of work, but this will get you a black black without any metallic in it.

Like you said though, sometimes it does give a very cool effect. Especially with the "flip flop" type paints. Only noticeable upon very close inspection!

Scott F