Flat or matte

[Jason.]

Is there a difference between the 2? I'm painting my truck beginning of feb. and I've decided on going with a flat or matte color.

I don't want a completely flat, primer looking black, what I want is a semi gloss look, not completely flat, or really glossy. Pretty much, I want to know what kind of paint(brand, type, etc.) and what kind of clear (brand, type, etc.) and anything else special I would need to get that look, any imput??? I don't know much about painting, so don't flame me too much, just wanting to know what to buy and give to my painter.

Also, is it harder to paint flat colors, not sure if my guy has ever painted something flat, but he paints all the time and his stuff always turns out great.

[pure_kustoms]

yeah flat is flat,.
matte is like the equal to eggshell or satin if you would compare it to house paint,..
it is kind of flat when you look at it straight, but looking down the car it has a semi-gloss tone,...
but if you put some different reducers into primer, which is most likely flat, it will still have a sheen.

[Jason.]

yeah flat is flat,.
matte is like the equal to eggshell or satin if you would compare it to house paint,..
it is kind of flat when you look at it straight, but looking down the car it has a semi-gloss tone,...
but if you put some different reducers into primer, which is most likely flat, it will still have a sheen.

That's the word I was looking for, was satin.

I want it to look like a semi shiny flat. very weird to say, and probably sounds like I don't know shit about paint, which is pretty much true. I just know I'm having the truck painted black either way in feb, but I wanted to be a little different and go with a semi gloss, something to match my wheels. Think it would look cool as hell.

Do you have any pictures of the 2, flat and matte?

[bdeitemeyer]

Flat on Lexus IS:



Satin/Matte on Lexus IS-F:



Gloss (OEM) on Lexus IS:




Hope that helps visually clarify the differences between the different styles.

[Jason.]

satin is def. where it's at for sure. that's what I want.

Could someone recommend some good products to get the best satin look? Also, is it going to be any harder on my painter to do satin, or will it be the same as a regular gloss base/clear job?

[bdeitemeyer]

There's a lot of good info if you have the time to read through this thread: http://www.revscene.net/forums/adon-...t527862p2.html

To summarize, the guy found the OEM paintcode for the Lambo, used the PPG sealer, base, midcoat, and PPG's satin clearcoat instead of the normally used gloss clearcoat. The satin clearcoat is more expensive than regular gloss clearcoat, so be prepared for that. I'm not a painter, but I do know there are also other methods for a satin paintjob, but at least you'll have a good understanding of one method that has worked well & been journaled.

Your paintjob won't be a tri-stage like the guy's G35 in the link I attached, but you get the idea. If you're using "decent" materials such as PPG's Deltron or Global for the base, you should be able to use PPG's satin clearcoat to get the look you want.

[Jason.]

There's a lot of good info if you have the time to read through this thread: http://www.revscene.net/forums/adon-...t527862p2.html

To summarize, the guy found the OEM paintcode for the Lambo, used the PPG sealer, base, midcoat, and PPG's satin clearcoat instead of the normally used gloss clearcoat. The satin clearcoat is more expensive than regular gloss clearcoat, so be prepared for that. I'm not a painter, but I do know there are also other methods for a satin paintjob, but at least you'll have a good understanding of one method that has worked well & been journaled.

Your paintjob won't be a tri-stage like the guy's G35 in the link I attached, but you get the idea. If you're using "decent" materials such as PPG's Deltron or Global for the base, you should be able to use PPG's satin clearcoat to get the look you want.

Cool, thanks for the info. Waiting on some painters to chime in, hopefully someone who has painted a satin color or something would be cool.

[oldschool98]

Add flattner to single stage urethane?

[Jason.]

Add flattner to single stage urethane?

Not sure what you mean by that, but from what I remember isn't a single stage urethane paintjob rather cheap, and poor quality?

Once again, I don't know anything about painting, just know what color I want, and know who I'm having paint it (aslong as it isn't going to be harder than spraying a regular base/clear job.

[oldschool98]

No you re thinking of enamel. Urethane is good qaulity and can be flattened with an additive. Just a thought.

[pure_kustoms]

satin is def. where it's at for sure. that's what I want.

Could someone recommend some good products to get the best satin look? Also, is it going to be any harder on my painter to do satin, or will it be the same as a regular gloss base/clear job?

any paint job proves it's difficulties, doing a satin job is not as hard as a real good clear coat going over a decent base coat, IMO. your guy should do just fine,.

[351coupe]

A couple things to remind yourself and your painter,the surface will need to be perfect or it will show every flaw,the clear cannot be wet sanded after to remove trash/orange peal or it will shine.If you get a scratch down the road,sorry no buffing it out.And if you wax the matte clear alot it will start to shine.IMO it's not a paint for a DD,for a garage queen,no problem,but for a car/truck that see's all the elements,imo,is a waste of time and money.

[bdeitemeyer]

^good point.

[Jason.]

A couple things to remind yourself and your painter,the surface will need to be perfect or it will show every flaw,the clear cannot be wet sanded after to remove trash/orange peal or it will shine.If you get a scratch down the road,sorry no buffing it out.And if you wax the matte clear alot it will start to shine.IMO it's not a paint for a DD,for a garage queen,no problem,but for a car/truck that see's all the elements,imo,is a waste of time and money.

Ohh man, I never even thought of any of those things. That seriously makes me change my mind. It is going to be black either way, but I really REALLY wanted to be different and do it a matte color.

Still may, I'll talk with my painter a little more and see what he thinks about the whole thing.

[oldschool98]

Dont think so much about it--just do it. The flat or satin will be fine. Prep and paint as if it were any other black job and be done. Its a huge truck,you wont see a little spec of dirt on it cause there is so much truck to look at.