Flat black paint. Can't find it anywhere!

[DonnieDarko]

I know I'm just looking at the wrong places. I tried looking for both flat and matte black but I can't find anything except gloss this and jet gloss black and this and that.

I have my eye on an Astro that is black (1992 ... did they come stock black like that?) but needs a repainting. I'm a fan of older rat rods and figure it'd look good ... and if not I can always chalk it up as vans don't look good flat black and repaint it gloss black. :p (Reason keeping it black = no need to paint door jams and such ... )

Aren't many paint shops around here so I'm stuck to buying online seeing as nothing local has flat/matte black.

[CaptSquid]

Try http://www.directory-assistance.net/cat ... olina.html

[DonnieDarko]

Thanks, but that's one of the first things I did. Out of those 6 (there really is ten, but it has Keystone listed three times and my uncle works for Monroe Hardware and assures me they don't even stock car paint), two didn't know what "flat/matte black" was ( ), and the rest told me they didn't.

Keystone said they don't keep it in stock but could order it, they tried to see who they could order it from, and they couldn't find it in any of their manufacturer catalogs.

You know of any online places that would have it?

[CaptSquid]

Out of all those pages, you couldn't find even one? Just peachy. Try explaining to the "Einsteins" that flat/matte black paint is black that isn't glossy, unless they don't understand glossy.

Other than that, I'm stumped. -- On further thought, try contacting PPG directly. They make automotive paints.

[77bc]

Use PPG DP 90 primer, or add a flattening agent, like DX265 to your paint.

http://www.romeolima.com/RV3works/Paint ... _Agent.pdf

[TheChopFather]

the paint stores around here just add a flattening agent into the gloss paint....

[DonnieDarko]

So a flattening agent + whatever gloss paint I buy = flat/matte whatever?

Sounds good

[77bc]

if you want a base/clear, you can use Dupont HotHues

http://www.performancecoating.dupont.co ... ER3833.pdf

[crash]

i've mixed a few flat blacks for customers around here for some old 50's rat rods. let me do some digging through my notes and see if I can find the formula I used.

[crash]

found it..

ok.. we use sherwin-williams automotive .. so either find a sherwin shop or get your paint supplier to cross the formula and flattener.

this formula is per quart (quart = 1.0)

5B - 1738-A
4th Dimension B/C
Basecoat

DM500 STRONG BLACK 411.6
DM623 BASECOAT FIX 687.3
DM624 BALANCE SOLV 870.4

when doing this mix they will have to change the mix amount to .8 of a quart before starting their scale, that will adjust the nubers above.

then flattener is added to the top of the quart mixing can. so, add flattener accordingly depending on how much they are mixing. oviously, only mix the base.. and don't clear it.. LOL

the flattener is ULTRA System Exterior Flattening Base from the SW Ultra7000 line, product # T1F271
it is used to make up the other .2 of per quart.

now this is a custom black satin that I came up with for a customer after several attempts to get the satin finish he was looking for... so I named it 'Doo Wop Black' .. LOL. don't ask...


failing that, there also a product called Sunfire Black

http://www.sherwin-automotive.com/produ ... 71&cat=159

it is a semi flat black... but may have a bit too much gloss to it. it's used by one of our resto-rod customers http://www.xvmotorsports.com/ to do more a sealing of areas hidden by other body parts such as lights or grill or whatever....


all this being said... I'd strongly recommend getting as small an amount as you can and test spray to ensure it's exactly what you are looking for. everyones taste and opinion of 'flat' is totally different...


and again... failing everything above... buy a 12 pack of black BBQ paint rattle cans and go nuts..