Topic: paint

[greenjeans]

saw a harley yesterday that was flat black from the factory... kinda had a shimmery quality to it but definitely flat... resisted my urge to run my hand over it to see how smooth the surface was.... Anybody have any experience with a flat, almost annodized looking black paint ?  One of my projects is going to be black, and after I saw that one - I want mine similar.   Is there a matte clear coat perhaps ?  Gotta work till 5 today & can't get by the paint shop until tomorrow....somebody out here will know.  Thanks in advance

[forwheeldrift]

there's
flat black
mat black
jet black
satin black, and I'm sure there is more shades of black.

jet black and satin black have a smooth surface with a shimmery glare

the other flat blacks have a tendency to turn kinda chalky.

id look in to jet black it's not as shiny as satin black.
or go to H.D. dealer and find the paint they use

there is a anodized black but, it is a real anodized color IE: not spray paint

[USN20]

Greenjeans, Does the color you seen look like the one in the attached photo?

If so, Harley calls this color "Black Denim" and there's also the "Black Pearl" which is similar but with more shine and a shimmer effect.

[dusterdude]

it more than likely has a flat clear coat on it

[jdawg]

In the old days people used black epoxy primer or black base coat with no clear. The problem is neither have any UV stabalizer in them. So after time they get chalky.

Nowadays almost every paint manufactuer has a flat or satin topcoat sytem. You use the traditional base coats (anycolor) and shoot these satin or flat topcoats over them. This gives you the hot rod or rat rod black that is so popular right now. You can even mix the flat (flatener mentioed above) with gloss and taylor the gloss lever to your liking.

Stop by your local automotive paint supply shop and ask away, I'm sure they have all the answers you need.

- Later

[greenjeans]

USN20,  yep that's what it looks like....  I considered a black primer, but that flat on the harley is what I'm looking for.   I'll hit the paint shop next week... just wanted some info
thanks guys

[ZetecOwns]

Has anyone heard of using John Deere's tractor paint, which is a satin black called "Blitz Black."

It's cheap, and I think it would work great for a rat bike such as mine. 

[davecmoc]

Not that I can tell you how to do it.... but my Ducati (recently traded in) had matte black paint.  I was told it was their gloss black minus the clearcoat. 

[bleeds_ink]

your best bet is to put a flat clear over the color of your choice, other wise it will end up turning chalky. most paint companies have a flat clear or a flattening agent. there is also flat clear for powdercoat.