Give your hot rod an air of originality with a flat black paint job.
A flat black paint job applied to your hot rod isn't an indication of a dull and boring personality. Period paint jobs are becoming popular in may circles that prefer originality over gloss and sparkle. Gone are the days where a flat paint job indicates that you aren't finished working on your show car. As with any custom paint job, a flat finish can be tweaked to your preference. What a flat paint job means to you may be drastically different from what it means to your neighbor and his Model T restoration. Choosing a flat black paint suitable to your needs and time restraints is critical to achieving a premium paint job.
Instructions
1. Choose a paint with the amount of flatness you desire. Flat paints aren't created equal and you need to keep that fact in mind while choosing a paint. A flat finish can be as simple as applying black primer, or you can step the finish up a notch with a basic base coat. To create a truly flat finish, eliminate the amount of reflectivity in the paint coats applied. Paint with an eggshell, satin, matte or flat auto paint to create the desired paint finish.
2. Prepare the car for paint. A flat finish will not hide any imperfections. In fact, the opposite is true any bump or blemish on the surface of the car will stick out like a sore thumb under a flat black finish. Skimping on prep work at this stage will ruin the dramatic effect of a flat black paint job.
3. Clean up the work area. Use a vacuum and clean the area of dirt and debris created from sanding. Wipe the car down with a dampened, lint-free cloth to remove the minute specks of dust you might have missed earlier. A speck of dust left behind will create a bubble after paint is applied.
4. Shoot the car with the first coat of paint. Even if you are only shooting black primer during this project, you need a minimum of two coats. You will apply paint using the same technique whether you use a sprayer or a spray can. Paint with long sweeping strokes from side to side, beginning at the top of the car and working your way down to the running boards.
5. Allow the paint to dry using the manufacturer's instructions before applying the second coat. Resist the urge to touch the paint to feel for dryness. Fingerprints are harder to remove from a flat finish than you might imagine. Fans will aide in the drying process if you are on a time schedule, but you should use them with caution. A fan may blow dust onto the drying paint. Apply the second coat of paint.
6. Finish up the paint job. Buff the auto with a 1500-grit or lighter sandpaper for a buffed out finish without the shine, or spray on a clear coat with a flattening agent to reduce the shine while protecting the paint. It is recommended that you use a chemical flattening agent instead of wax based flattener. Wax based flatteners can rub off in areas that are touched frequently, leaving a satin finish in their wake.
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