Metal Flake Mixing Help

Im going to shoot some .025 metal flake and want to know what the typical mixing ratio some people use in a typical "gun can" full of clear?

Going for a thick lay of metal flake, like traditional style.

1-2 table s****s of flake per sprayable qt?

Thanks..any help on this subject is much appreciated.

 

you're gonna need to add a binding agent. the only clear I know of that will hold clear in it is House of Kolor Intercoat Clear.

but yeah,2 t.b.s is alot of flake in one gun. keep it agitated and you should be alright.

 

We did about 2 cans of flake to gun cup.... But thats how nuts I wanted it. I dont know whats "typical".

 

binding agent...what is that?

I have shot flake in ChromoClear and Northstar clears and it worked great...

 

binding agent is what they put in colors to prevent the pigments in the colors from settling to the bottom. it is not super effective for stuff as large as flake,but it certianly helps.
as far as chromoclear and northstar are concerned, I ****ed a quart of chroma clear completely up with some rainbow flake about 2 weeks ago. it sank like the ***anic. (it was actually pretty remarkable. not 1 flake floated at all)

however, it was damned hot, The clear was mixed really cool (to help it flow out with such big *** flake in it) so mabey that was it. next batch through, I mixed in some binding agent (every place that mixes paint will literally have gallons of it around.) and presto! floating flake. (I still had to work fast,because after awhile the rainbow would settle. but that's about "par for the course" with giant flake)

 

use regular clear not binder . and intercoat clear is only good for 4 medium coats . it is fine for small flake or when you are not completely covering so you see no base. but i will not use it for a heavy flake job....... all my jobs are in house of kolor uc-35 clear .... i also use ATLEAST 4 ounces per mixed qt ...... take your time and do not try to do it it one or two p***es .flake is heavy and will run ..... even more important with flake do a tack coat .....

 

thanks lownslow...you are the king. That's exactly what I was looking for!

 

Listen to lownslow, he knows flake!
Helped me pick a spray gun, and recommended ratios for my flaked and candied cruiser....and I've been painting for over 25 years!
Just to add, I used far less flake in my clear, but I was using Abalone over white, so I didn't want to completely cover the white up.
And remember you'll need to cover that flake with a LOT of clear when you're done! For a smooth finish, do 4-5 coats, sand with 400 or 500 grit wet, and put on 3 more coats.

 

Put a couple of 1/2" diameter ball bearings in the bottom of the cup with the mixed flake and swirl them around once in a while as you are painting to help keep the flake in suspension.

 

only in suction feed gun ... in a gravity feed gun it will block the p***gae way for the paint ........

thanks chopolds i appreciate it ......

 

Hey Donnie, what tip do you spray with?

 

I use an old suction feed gun and toss in a coulple clean bolts for the mix.

Again, thanks for the help!!!

 

root ,
2.0 tip ..... works AWESOME ......

 

Wow, that's a monster.

 

if your spraying the BIG flake,,thats the smallest you need...

..you MIGHT be able to get by with a 1.8,,but you'll be cussing....

 

What about for micro flake? I was spraying it through a 1.5 and it worked ok. I don't want the jumbo b*** boat flake but I dig lotsa "pop" in the paint...I used HOK micro and suspended it in an intercoat clear.

 

MICRO("meduim",and the micro mini) are excelent through a 1.5...actually i use a 1.4 and spray the micro with no problems...

 

I know it's an old thread but any other suggestions????? would like to use rainbow flake on a green base coat on my Henry J ----- John

 

and can I shoot flake over my flames??????

 

how about the Roth Flake....claims it can be shot wet or dry.....my son does my painting but has never shot Flake.....going to do the roof on my truck any suggestions....anything in particular with this brand of flake??

 

HenryJ, you can flake over previously painted things no problem. Just treat it like its any other base when you do your prep.

Dave, I've never tried Roth flake, but I can offer up a few suggestions. Any flake can be shot wet or dry, depends on your taste. I shoot all mine wet, suspended in clear like mentioned above. To spray dry, that requires a flake buster gun or the like. Alot mof the west coast guys use them so I've heard, but again, never tried it.