Larger flake metallics

[Vettra]

I recently was looking to purchase a silver metallic from HOK. I went with the FBC02 as opposed to BC02 because I wanted the larger flakes.

I use the Iwata Eclipse airbrush. Question: should I reduce the paint down more than the recomended 2:1 suggested by HOK to make it flow through the brush better and lay on the media a little smoother? This is the first time I used flakes that big in this brush and it is funny that you can actually hear the difference as the paint flows through the tip.

THX,
C

 

[hoss]

it won't matter how much you reduce, if the flake is going to clog up the tip, then it's going to clog up the tip. i don't run flake through my .35 tip, but my .5 and up tips i do. tip's are a pain to clean flake out of especially the smaller you go i'm assuming.

 

[Vettra]

I guess the thing I could do would be to shoot it though my touch up gun since I am just using it as a base.

 

[TAZ]

Can you airbrush with a 'solid' color, then just spray a coat of the bigger metallic over it to give it the sparkle?

 

[Vettra]

Taz, The process that I was going for was using the silver metallic as a base then shooting a kandy over that follwed up with clear coat.

I am open to all suggestions so I definetley apreciate yours. The more I learn the more I enjoy this custom paint thing... almost to the detriment of my main business.

As with anything getting familiar with the best technique makes the whole process a lot easier.

THX,
C

 

[pterosaur]

Taz, The process that I was going for was using the silver metallic as a base then shooting a kandy over that follwed up with clear coat.

I am open to all suggestions so I definetley apreciate yours. The more I learn the more I enjoy this custom paint thing... almost to the detriment of my main business.

As with anything getting familiar with the best technique makes the whole process a lot easier.

THX,
C

I've shot jobs using a similar process to the one you described and they look really great.

Some pics of one of them:



(click on pics for full size)

The pics really don't do it justice.

Same basic idea, though; silver basecoat followed by heavy flake in clear. Let flake layer flash, sand smooth, then shoot layers of candy to get whatever shade you're after. Clear topcoat and polish.

Shot this job years ago with an old suction-type Binks, not sure if the flake would clog the filter in a newer gravity feed gun.

If it does, the suggestion about using a #5 airbrush tip will do the job. Actually, with the airbrush, you should be able to mix the clear/flake a bit thicker and shoot it dryer to get more even coverage with the flake.

Hope that helps....

 

[nzgrip]

Just looking at my HOK color chip book and the FBC02 is finer than the BC02, are you sure thats what you have? If so then the airbrush will be fine. If its the MBC02 then i would use the touch up gun if you have it rather than buying more tips for the airbrush.

 

[Vettra]

You are correct- Great observation. I was going to use the finer FBC02 but when I saw the actual color chip in the sun as opposed to viewing the chart online, I went with the BC02.

I did have it in the back of my mind that it would cause me some grief but I guess I just needed to experience it for myself.

No problem though- I'll just shoot it through my touch up gun.

Thanks again to all.
C

 

[Brian Dee]

stay with the touch up gun. Shootin metalics through an airbrush will drive ya nuts. Besides an AB does not spray in a fan pattern. It sprays in a cone pattern. and difficult t get even coverage especially on larger surfaces. But on very small items it maybe fine. Nontheless metalics will clog your AB.

 

[Vettra]

Thank you good sir.

 

[hoss]

You are correct- Great observation. I was going to use the finer FBC02 but when I saw the actual color chip in the sun as opposed to viewing the chart online, I went with the BC02.

I did have it in the back of my mind that it would cause me some grief but I guess I just needed to experience it for myself.

No problem though- I'll just shoot it through my touch up gun.

Thanks again to all.
C

that's the best idea, shoot it through the touch up gun. it'll look like it should. usually if you shoot it through your airbrush then the flake will sit on top of the paint more b/c more of the base dries before it hits the surface. it's really hard to use an airbrush to touch up metal flake paint spots w/o the area looking like a different color.

if you're outlineing a flame, then use your airbrush, but make sure it's a .5 or better, just in case.

good luck and post some pix when your finished