Flat Black Paint..Clear Coat or Not?

[seamax]

I just finished spray painting my bike with Krylon Flat Black. It looks really nice. I'm contemplating whether or not to put a clear coat on it.

From my previous projects I have use semi-flat black paint and after applying a clear coat, it became more glossy then flat. So would a clear coat on the flat black make it look glossy also?

Anyone have experience painting or have tried this?

[Bob Broussard]

A clear coat will make the flat paint shiny. Unless you can find a flat clear paint. I don't know if you can find that in spray cans. You might be able to find an automotive paint that you can spray with a paint gun. I don't think it will damage the spray can flat.  :dunno:

[JamesG]

Unless you use a flat clear coat.

And even then you run the risk of it making it shinier <?> and it can also cause a hazy grey color too.

Your best bet would be to either use a good flat black and leave it alone, or use a gloss or semi-gloss black, and then seal it with a flat clear.

[seamax]

So flat clear spray paint does not exist in a spray can?

[JamesG]

yes it does.  Krylon or if you can't find that you can go to hobby stores and get it in the little cans.

[Rollin668]

I attempted to paint my gas tank over the 3 day weekend... without success... the weather would NOT cooperate with me and I ended up with a crappy looking "gloss" black paint... anyway... I've decided I'm going to strip the tank again this weekend and spray the tank with either black truckbed liner or black flexible undercoat... painting sucks if you don't have a garage!!!!!


Wondering if I'll need to clearcoat either of these 2 paints...


Rolly

[seamax]

Just got some flat claer coat at the local hardware store. After applying it, it made my flat black painted tank look semi-glossy matte black. Dammit.  If you are going for the flat black look you should definitely not apply a clear coat.  :x

[500rider]

Thanks for the tip.  I am going to have to paint the tank on my Kat once the it is sealed.  I was thinking of going with a sort of satin finish - half way between flat and glossy.

Rob

[Bob Broussard]

I attempted to paint my gas tank over the 3 day weekend... without success... the weather would NOT cooperate with me and I ended up with a crappy looking "gloss" black paint... anyway... I've decided I'm going to strip the tank again this weekend and spray the tank with either black truckbed liner or black flexible undercoat... painting sucks if you don't have a garage!!!!!


Wondering if I'll need to clearcoat either of these 2 paints...


Rolly

Why spray the bedliner paint. A roller will give you a nice textured look  :mrgreen: