fbekholden.com

Hi All
I'm looking for a difinitive answer on wether I can have a low sheen finish
to my exteriour paint, without it being detramental to the metal underneath.

There plenty of opinion scattered around in various threads on this forum,
but I like to answer it once and for all.

I have to choose a paint scheme for the van now, because as I ready some of the parts
I will paint them ready for later assembly.

My first choice for the body colour is a low sheen black.
Yes I know its all been done before, and I've seen all your opinions one the subject,
and I dont want any more on shiney V's lowsheen personal opinions.
I just want the facts.

The question is............
Can I have a waterproof low sheen finish that doesn't go chalkey over time
and so that I can wash the car and clean the bird s#!t off
and still have it look good.

I don't want flat black, just low sheen.

Thanks
Jeff

Jeff, you proberly could use a 2 pack uv clear, with flattening base, or egg shell agent. I don't if it works, It does on straight colour! so I can't see why it won't work on clear.

Acrylic or 2pak with a flattening agent added will give you the finish you are after Thommo. It won't be porous and it will last a while especially if the car is garaged and not out in the weather, but will eventually fade and go a chalky white colour as their is no polish to protect the paint. But if its a limited use vehicle that could take years to happen.

My FE is painted black acrylic with flattening agent, washed and cleaned by hand then I use Meguair's Wax on it to protect it, not that it sees a lot of road use or sun
I think the ratio ended up around 50/50 to get the "satin" I was after. The only hassle is touch ups.

thommo i guess you've seen what i have written, see my last post on this toppic in i think deadsled's thread re:longevity
i'm sick of banging my head against a wall defending peoples choice of paint finish, i like both and don't tell people to to use either only give my opinion on MY experiances which have never been bad
i beleive acrylic may still be porous, but when my cars have been wet the water beads on it unlike primer
i'm led to beleive that 2pak is water proof
stinky, that is the shiniest flat or satin paint job i have ever seen couldn't possably be 50/50 i only mix at 5-10% and mine are way flatter

ratbox wrote: stinky, that is the shiniest flat or satin paint job i have ever seen couldn't possably be 50/50 i only mix at 5-10% and mine are way flatter

Must be that Meguairs polish, shines anything

Hi Jeff,
I know nothing of 2K so feel totally unqualified to make any comment on it.

I am firmly of the opinion that acrylic needs regular maintenance and needs lustre to prevent premature aging.............. I have never had a flattening or matt additive mixed in it - so again can't make any comment...that's all I can help with here.

Guess I just a sucker for shine..............

frats,
Rosco

ratbox wrote:stinky, that is the shiniest flat or satin paint job i have ever seen couldn't possably be 50/50 i only mix at 5-10% and mine are way flatter

Polish will do that.....

Topcoat with flattening agent will always be better than a primer, but as to whether its detrimental, who knows for sure. It won't have the same protection as a wax sealed glossy finish will but it is better than JUST primer. Maybe ask the paint shop there understanding of it. After all its their job to know sh!t like that.

I have played around with both types of finishes (shiny and gloss), as to my Dad. My sisters XT wagon is flat purple and has been for over a decade, only problem is she keeps smashing it so we have been doing constant touch ups. Longest bout with no touchups has been 3-4 years. By then it was chalky and going very white. This from a car that is now rarely driven (maybe 3 times a week) and located in central Vic (very dry). Its parked under a carport and thats it.

In the end it really comes down to what you want finish wise.

Id suggest going to the source , There may be a number on the can or an old paint can , otherwise just ring the operator

Thommo,
I don't understand!
Why can't you paint in 2pac and then satin paint over the top.
Wouldn't that seal with the 2pac and then you go with what ever satin colour.
My sedan is in 2pac and it seems to go white and chalky after a while out in the open, but a buff fixes that.
Isn't the beauty of flat or satin paint, that when it goes chalky you paint over it again and its done.
Just my 2 cents.
Cheers Theo Z.........................

Thanks everyone for there help.

I haven't really decided what i'll do yet.
I could end up doing something completly different by the time I decide,
but I have to choose a theme and stick to it.

It will be 70's looking with raked attitude, wide chromies, SAAS sports steering etc.
So i suppose low sheen wasn't really a part of that era.

Last owner (EK61) had painted it cadbury purple......Its growing on me

painting a car sux balls especially when yor where you are with the van
kinda like me with the wagon at the moment alot of the glass is out so do i change the colour, do it shinney or flat (shinney for resale, flat personal prefferance ) decisions decisions

Flat Rat!!

Shiney Bubs!!

it'll prolly be half 'n' half flat mane body shinney roof and flash