What is the best flat paint?

[MacDuff]

Hey fellas! How's it goin'? I'm new here to the site and have only been painting for a little over a year now, but I was curious as to what you guys use if you're spraying a flat or satin finish paint. What brands are best, and which ones should you stay away from? The reason I'm asking is because my twin brother and I are building a '73 VW Van and were throwin' around the idea of maybe painting it a satin/flat 2 tone black and green. Thanks in advance for your help!

-Harry

 

[TAZ]

Welcome to the Custom Paint Forum!

I've use the SEM Hot Rod black. Easy to spray. Looks nice when dried

 

[MacDuff]

OK, is that a urethane or a lacquer base? I'd prefer a urethane, but it doesn't matter. Also, does they make different flat colors?

-Harry

 

[TAZ]

I would say it's an enamel based paint...definitely not lacquer.
You have to put hardener in it.

As far as I know, there is only one sheen to it.
If you want a different gloss, you'll probably have to go with a bc/cc and put a flattening agent in it. The more you put in the clear, the flatter it gets.

I have also used a product from another paint company (can't remember the name off hand), but this was a semi gloss black.

 

[MacDuff]

Ok. I'm not too concerned about the sheen actually. Do they have different colors, like flat green or would I have to go with a BB/CC and flattening agent to achieve that?

-Harry

 

[TAZ]

I believe all they have is the Flat Black.
Any other color, and you'd have to go with the bc/cc with the flattening agent. This way you can also control how flat you want it. There used to be a chart out that showed various degrees of 'flatness'...not for sure if it's still around. Check with a local paint supply store.
:bigokay:

 

[MacDuff]

Ok. Thanks for all the help man! I really appreciate it!

-Harry

 

[TAZ]

No problem...good luck on your project!
Be sure and post pics once you get going on it!

ics:

 

[hoss]

you can go w/ a single stage paint and add flattening agent. i really like martin senior's black out for flat black, and they can add the flattening agent to any green you want. i'm sure most jobbers can do that too.

 

[MacDuff]

It's gonna be a while until I get workin' on it cuz I got a few other projects lined up, but I'm a stickler for details and taking pictures of my progress. I can't stand crappy pictures of peoples work! lol

But I'd prefer to go with a BC/CC system for both colors (for the sake of compatibility), so would I have to add the flattening agent to both the basecoat and the clear coat, or just the clear? I imagine its just the clear, right?

Here are some pictures of the van as of a little over a year ago. Since then we've stripped the interior out except the dash and front seats, taken the pop top off, and taken all the glass out. We want to chop the top about 1.5" to 2" and build some slick bomber seats for the interior. It's been hard finding time to work on it because of finishing up school, finding work, and now I'm actually working. Plus a few other projects I have at the moment.

-Harry

 

[TAZ]

Very cool. My parents used to have one with a popup.

I remember the name of the single stage paint that I could remember earlier...it was "Omni". This is more like a semi-gloss

You do not have to add the flattening agent in the base, only the clear. This way you can choose any green you want, then just add the flat clear.

 

[TAZ]

Looks like that one has a pop up top to :haha: COOL

Like to see it done!

 

[MacDuff]

Yeah, she's got the pop-top but I think we're gettin rid of it and making the opening a huge sunroof. Our plan is to rod it out and make it nasty-loud!

-Harry

 

[Maylar]

I know that R-M has flat paints in their Carizzma custom paint line. Not sure how many colors, but I've seen red and black on their web site. R-M is sold by BASF dealers.

 

[TAZ]

I'm sure this one is a little loud

HOT ROD mag

 

[MacDuff]

Yeah man! I've read that article before, and I also know a guy in Erie, PA that's seen it a bunch at a few local car shows and he said that that thing is ridiculously loud. That thing is so extreme it's incredible!

-Harry

 

[TAZ]

I bet it is! Looks pretty extreme to me. Not really a "rod", more of a pro-streeter almost
Good luck on yours.
If you need any 'paint' help on your other projects, feel free to post. I'm sure me or some of the other members can help you out!

 

[MacDuff]

Yeah man, I definitely will! I've already learned a lot by just lookin' around! Thanks again!

-Harry