Painting my Camaro Flat Black - need input

[mrr1999]

Hey Guys-

Going the flat black route on my 69 Camaro and I need some input/info on paint and technique.

First, what is the best product to use for the flat/satin black? I have gone through hundreds of posts and there are so many opinions on products like Hot Rod Flatz, SEM hot Rod Black, and base coat/clear coat with a flattener.

Second, is application the same as any other urethane paint? Anything special about spraying or curing?

Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Xplosive Performance]

Dear mrr 1999

As a shop that does custom painting and are a PPG certified shop of course i will say go with PPG. Now thats said, really i would go with base coat/ clear coat PPG DCU 2060 is a great satin clear reduce add hardener and spray, now all paint suppliers have there own, if you stay with a quality supplier and the one's you mention are quality but we like base and clear. The big thing to remember is any trash or imperfections when painting flat MUST be repainted you can not sand and buff the imperfection because it will be bright then.

Sorry had a problem to take care of.

Now with that said please remember that the paint you use does not make a great paint job. Body work makes the paint job. You can spend thousands of dollars on the most expense paint there is, if your body work is not right your paint will look bad even in flat and really bad in black. Just because you may have bought new sheet metal it doesnt mean its free of little dents or that it is straight. The key to all real great and good and sweet paint jobs is the body work. Laying the paint down is the easier part of the job. Its the body work that is hard. If your not right there the paint is going to show everything and everything thats bad.

[rwhite692]

+1 on what Bob said on the 2060.

Recommend that you practice your technique and dial-in your gun on an old hood, etc because this is a "what you spray is what you get" deal.

You didn't mention what quality level you are looking to achieve. If you are looking for good uniformity of finish and durability, then, definitely go base/clear process, with the 2060.

If on the other hand, this is just a quick coat to get something on the car for a short while before you actually get around to doing a full "real" paintjob, or because funds are really tight, or this is a race car, or whatever, then, the Hot Rod Black product sold by Kustom Shop is one low cost option.

As far as conditions when spraying, nothing special but watch your total %humidity...if it is very humid you can get some blushing and may get irregularity of the final cured finish (variations in gloss). So I'd try to do it on a good dry day with low humidity.

[mrr1999]

I'd like a good uniform finish that would last for a couple of years and not appear like it came out of a rattle can. I have painted a few cars in the past, but color sanding and polishing let me get away with a few "uh-oh's". Since this was a one shot deal, I just want to make sure it wasn't much more difficult to lay down.

The body is pretty good, but I will keep in mind what you said particularly since the car will be shot in black.

As for humidity, I'm in Las Vegas so I can get pretty dry days to paint. I should be safe with that.

If I do use BC/CC, do I have to flatten the clear myself or does the PPG come pre-flattened? The reason I ask is, if I have to add flattener myself, is there a good formula out there to get the correct "satin" look?

Thanks, again!

[Xplosive Performance]

I'd like a good uniform finish that would last for a couple of years and not appear like it came out of a rattle can. I have painted a few cars in the past, but color sanding and polishing let me get away with a few "uh-oh's". Since this was a one shot deal, I just want to make sure it wasn't much more difficult to lay down.

The body is pretty good, but I will keep in mind what you said particularly since the car will be shot in black.

As for humidity, I'm in Las Vegas so I can get pretty dry days to paint. I should be safe with that.

If I do use BC/CC, do I have to flatten the clear myself or does the PPG come pre-flattened? The reason I ask is, if I have to add flattener myself, is there a good formula out there to get the correct "satin" look?

Thanks, again!

The 2060 comes ready no adding anything, reduce, harden, shoot

[NotStock Photo]

I like the new 8113 matte but PPG is the way to go if you want flat