Topic: flat black with clear coat

[cb650 bobber]

does flat black look good with a clear coat over it. not sure if I have ever seen it.....maybe it will be an oxymoron ...dont know just thinking of ideas the tank should be here today or tomorrow.

[mlinder]

You'd need matte clearcoat to get the matte/flat effect.

[Geeto67]

almost all two part paints are pretty much matte under the clear coat. It is the gloss clear coat that gives a two part paint its shine.

There are companies that sell a two part hot rod black. It is a semi-gloss or semi-flat clear over a standard base coat.

you do not want a totally flat clear coat for your paint. the texture will be all wrong (very rough) and it will chalk eventually.

remember with matte finishes all you can do is wash it to keep it clean. you cannot wax it or polish it. YOu can sometimes use a coarse rubbing compound but not anything finer.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Yeah, you oughta see the "blue" color under the clear coat of my 91 Acura Legend. Flat ass ugly "blue". It's amazing what that old clear coat did (when it was still on there). Would clear coat over flat black make shiny flat black or gloss black? 

[sparty]

Any type of clear coat over flat will raise the shine of the flat.  You have to use a "matte" clear to get the semi-flat look.  It will never be as flat as the black flat paint when you apply the clear, but it will be more durable.  My side covers and tank were sprayed with a flat semi-metallic silver paint.  I liked the look, but knew that it wouldn't hold up to the elements and would oxidize easily.  So, the sprayer applied a gloss clear and now it is element proof.

Sparty