Satin and/or Matte Black Paint Finishes

[SHIFT_Disturber]

Hello All,

A friend of mine from Rennlist told me about this site and I thought I would come check it out. Lots of good info around here it seems, and I was hoping someone would be able to help me regarding my latest project car.

I will be repainting my 996 in a satin black (i think this is the right term, isn't it? What is the difference between Matte, Flat and Satin?)

I'm trying to get the blackest black as I can, while still keeping that rough finished look to it, much like this Ferrari 599 and Lotus Elise, even darker if possible.

How do I go about achieving this? Is it a special paint called "satin black"? Or do you just paint your base coats with whatever darkness of black you want, and then when it comes time to clearcoat, you add a flatening agent to the clearcoat and then paint it on.

Thanks in advance, I look forward to starting the project!

[Williebeemin]

I would kill for that Ferrari!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mysteryan]

Looks great in charcoal too:

[jshillin]

Originally Posted by SHIFT_Disturber

What is the difference between Matte, Flat and Satin?)

Matte is another name for flat, no sheen.
Satin has some sheen to it, slightly reflective.

[SHIFT_Disturber]

thanks,
so the above pictures are all "satin" then.

[DigTheRide]

I've always thought that flat is flatter than matte, but I could be wrong. So the prgression would be: flat, matte, satin, gloss.

[kh765]

Originally Posted by SHIFT_Disturber

I think I'm in love....

[cmartins1963]

That's a dream.
A swirl free black.

[blucpe]

Originally Posted by DigTheRide

I've always thought that flat is flatter than matte, but I could be wrong. So the prgression would be: flat, matte, satin, gloss.

that sounds right to me. just curious how do you maintain a finish like that? what do you put on it as an lsp for instance, again just curious?

[sts2usnss]

Not that I have tried this personally, but a friend of mine has a satin black finish on his 4Runner and he uses Pledge. Yes, that's right... Pledge. Says it works great and is relatively easy to take off. Never been around when he actually did it but I have seen the results and it always looks good.

[Stanger'66]

Guys, don' t forget his original question. He is wanting to know how to paint the car to get these results. You are correct in assuming that you will first spray the base and then follow with a clear with a flattening agent in it. You will just have to test how much flattener you want in the clear by shooting test panels until you get the desired result.

[AP2TUDE]

The flat or satin look has to do with the paint composition, and the clear composition.

Not all clear coats are glossy, you can have a flat or a satin clear put on the car. I am sure that is what is done with that Ferrari.

So the paint needs to be just a flat black. That color can be whatever you want. The clear then needs to be the appropriate level of gloss for you. There are choices there, so pick what you want.

Remember that flat means absolutely no gloss. Satin is a very light gloss, almost like a silk-like texture.