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Metal flake paint serves as a popular decorative option for vehicles and various equipment such as skateboards or guitars. To prepare this paint type, blend metal flake powder into a thinned-out clear paint base. Once the paint mixture is ready, load it into your paint sprayer and apply it onto your desired surface. Apply a minimum of 2 coats of paint until you achieve the desired color.
Steps to Follow
Mixing the Paint
Apply a clear coat mixed with metal flake over a painted surface. Avoid purchasing colored bases for metal flake paint applications. Since the metal flakes provide both color and shine to the paint, always opt for clear paint as a base.
Pro Tip: If you're working on a metal item that's not in optimal condition or the desired color, sand the surface with 1200- or 2000-grit sandpaper and apply 2 coats of primer before applying the metal flake clear coat.
Ensure safety precautions and work in a well-ventilated space. Prioritize wearing appropriate safety gear when dealing with paint and metal flake. Shield your mouth and nose with a respirator mask. Protect your eyes with safety goggles or glasses. Ensure proper ventilation in your workspace to avoid fumes buildup.
- You can easily find standard safety gear at hardware and home improvement stores, as well as stores selling paint supplies.
Pour 1 US pint (470 mL) of clear base coat into a large paint cup. Open a can of clear base paint and pour a small amount into a plastic container. Check the paint can label to confirm its suitability for the material you're planning to spray paint, such as metal.
- While commonly used for vehicle painting, metal flake can also be utilized for embellishing guitars and skateboards.
- Always opt for a general 'Base Coat Blender' paint when working with metal flake.
Add 1 US pint (470 mL) of paint thinner to the mixture. Pour a small amount of paint thinner into the cup and mix it with the base paint. Maintain an equal ratio of paint and thinner for a thin, watery mixture. Stir the ingredients using a wooden paint stirrer.
- You can purchase paint cups and stirrers at hardware or home improvement stores.
- Unlike most paints, spray paints need to be sufficiently thin to pass through a nozzle.
Incorporate 2 tbsp (18 g) of 0.004 in (0.010 cm) metal flake powder into the paint. Scoop a small amount of finer metallic flakes and add them to the paint mixture. Add an extra scoop to the cup, then proceed to stir the ingredients until they are thoroughly combined.
- Metal flakes are categorized by their diameter. Begin with smaller flakes, around 0.004 in (0.010 cm) in size.
Incorporate 4 tbsp (36 g) of 0.008 in (0.020 cm) metal flake powder into the mixture. After blending the initial 2 scoops of flake into the clear paint, add an additional 4 scoops of finer, 0.008 in (0.020 cm) metal flake into the paint cup. Stir continuously to ensure even dispersion of the metal flake throughout the clear paint.
- Opt for metal flake products of the same color for consistency. Alternatively, experiment with two different colors of metal flake for a unique look.
- Some metal flake packages are pre-mixed for convenience.
Continue mixing the paint for at least 30-60 seconds. Stir the paint consistently, integrating the flake into the clear paint base. Use a timer to track the stirring time, aiming for a duration of at least 30 seconds.
- When lifting the stirrer, a thin layer of pure metal flake should be visible on its surface.
Guide: Applying the Metal Flake Paint
Protect open surfaces from excess spray. Position the item you intend to paint in a well-ventilated area, such as an open garage. Use canvas or plastic drop cloths to cover surfaces you don't want to paint accidentally. Ensure the area is clear of important items before proceeding.
- Consider investing in reusable canvas drop cloths for frequent spray painting sessions.
- Use plastic sheets and masking tape to mask areas you wish to protect or paint differently. Secure the plastic around these areas, such as car wheels or emblems, for an even paint job.
Transfer most of the paint into the metallic spray canister. Ensure the metal paint spray machine is unplugged before pouring. Remove the lid of the spray paint canister and set it aside. Pour the mixed metal flake paint into the open container. Depending on the equipment size, you may not use all the paint at once.
- Secure the lid back on the spray paint nozzle before usage.
- Ensure the spray nozzle is at least 1.8 mm wide.
- Consider a 2.5 mm nozzle for frequent use of metal flake paint.
- If specialized painting equipment isn't available, purchase online or from specialty stores.
Apply the mixed paint in broad strokes from left to right. Activate the spray machine and depress the trigger to release the paint. Due to the large spray pattern of metallic flake paint, maintain long and wide strokes during application. Ensure consistent movement from left to right for even coverage. Gradually adjust vertically to cover the entire surface.
Allow the paint to dry between coats. Wait several minutes for the paint to dry, adhering to the recommended drying time specified on the paint can. Depending on the item and paint type, longer drying times may be necessary. Perform a light tap test after the minimum drying period to verify complete hardening and drying.
- Typically, most spray paints dry within 30-60 minutes.
Apply one or two additional coats of metal flake paint. Continue with long, broad strokes, ensuring full coverage with metal flake. Allow each coat to dry thoroughly before applying additional paint. Upon drying, assess the surface to determine satisfaction with the paint job.
- For added protection, consider applying a layer of clear top coat.
Fun Fact: When painting a car or metal surface, buffing the paint with varying grades of sandpaper is often required to eliminate visible irregularities or imperfections.
If any noticeable flaws appear after applying the final coat, wet the surface with soapy water and smooth it using 800-grit sandpaper. Progress through finer grits, such as 1000, 1200, and 1500, before concluding with 2000-grit sandpaper.
