metal flake and clear mix

[myelo]

I am going to "try" to shoot a new coat of clear w/flake to repair very old (flake on surface and turned silver from bronze). This isn't meant to be a pro job, just make it look better for sale. I do not know how much flake to put into the clear. Any suggestions? How many coats of "non-flaked" clear should I put on. Also, I have some clear coat for autos, will that work? Again, not a pro job...more like a "patch" job I'm looking for. I have an HVLP gun. Also, ideas on setting for that to shoot w/flake? Thanks!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: metal flake and clear mix

This is not easy job and you will need to use a marine grade clear gel coat not an automotive clear paint.<br />The tips in the spray gun will need to be larger so the flake can pass through without plugging it up. There are different types, sizes and colors of flake and each will give a different finished look depending on how much is added, but 10 to 20% by weight is were you should start. If too much flake is added it can retard the cure of the gel coat, it can also slow the cure if the flake has been mixed in with the gel coat and then left to sit, so only mix what you need at that time.<br />To make it look good you will need to apply a color coat, then a layer of gel coat mixed with flake and then a couple of layers of clear gel coat. After that has cured you need to sand and buff the entire area. <br /><br />This is not an easy job, it would be much easier to just pick an automotive paint (any color) and paint it with that.

 

[myelo]

Re: metal flake and clear mix

Thanks ondarvr! If I use the automotive paint, should I clear over that?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: metal flake and clear mix

If you want to, some paints need it, some don't.

 

[dsinger]

Re: metal flake and clear mix

So you are saying you cannot add flake to automotive clear coats. What will happen when you do. How do you keep the flakes mixed up in the gun, just shake it or what.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: metal flake and clear mix

Automotive paints are designed to be applied in a thin film, some around 3 mils, gel coat is designed to be applied much thicker, around 20 mils. The flake needs the thicker film to work correctly and there are other reasons, so you do need to use gel coat.
It's mixed with the gel coat right before you spray it, but you may need to shake the gun around a little to keep it in suspension while spraying.

 

[thinksun]

Re: metal flake and clear mix

The best way to fix faded metal flake and what I have done a couple of times is very easy, inexpensive and works great. Two weeks ago on a boat that was black gel with red flake that had turned silver was repaired by one coat of auto clear with lots of red pearl (disolving red powder) in it, then 2 more coats of clear. The flakes reflect red now.

I am doing a boat in the next couple of days that is green gelcoat with blue flakes that have gone silver (now it looks boring metalic green). I will apply one coat with blue pearl clear using regular automotive gun then 2 just plain clear. This boat has a white "racing stripe" in deck gelcoat that I will mask off for the first coat with pearl.

You can get bronze pearl that will look like new.