TheSamba.com :: View topic - UPDATE.......Help with metal flake please

Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:39 pm

I am trying to shoot metal flakes on my buggy using a DeVilbiss HVLP Finishline gun (top feed). It seems that the flakes are clogging the feedcup to the gun passage. the nozzle is a 2.2mm which is recommended for the size flake I am using. I took the filter out of the cup because I didn't think the flake would flow past it (was this idiotic of me to do?).

you can see where it unclogged itself during the spray

please give me any ideas on how to get it to flow out...do I need to thin the clear with more acetone? are the flakes too heavy and not being suspended enough?

thanks for any advice,
Don W.

Tue Jul 17, 2007 2:53 pm

Are you mixing them in the clear or in a clear midcoat? If you are putting them directly in the clear, that could be your problem. Clearcoat is not designed to suspend a solid and therefor, the flakes would settle in your cup. An automotive midcoat is designed to suspend a solid. All I use to make a midcoat is basecoat mixing clear, reducer and hardener if the basecoat system calls for it and then mix my flakes into the midcoat. If you do it this way, contact your local jobber that carries the paint line that you are using and find out the maximum percentage of flake to micoat that you can get away with or you could wind up with the same issue. Hope this helps.

Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:09 pm

thanks for the advice...I called my jobber and they agreed with you and will supply the midcoat for me.

thanks again,
Don W.

Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:13 pm

Glad I could be of help!

Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:31 pm

Right on the money porkchop.

Tue Jul 17, 2007 9:34 pm

Viva la flake! the only thing i might add is not to strain the flake into your gun, reduce your midcoat first, the add the flake right before you pour it in to the gun, keep the gun swirling in your hand and use a quick, side to side and cross hatch method to keep the flake from mottleing and or producing zebra stripes.

Basically spray and swirl, spray and swirl because once you stop the swirl the flake likes to settle fast in the bottom of the cup, so you want to try to keep the flake suspended in the mid coat...............just my.00002

Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:30 pm

I use to love spraying flake and having it all over the booth for the rest of the week.........

Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:24 pm

Isnt boat flake like that supposed to be sprayed out of a larger gun? Like a 1.8 or 2.0 or larger. The larger orifice keeps the sequence from jamming up at the tip.
Then there is the Old School Flake gun

Which I believe shoots a dry flake.

Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:57 pm

bought the HOK SG150 clear and it's still clumping in the bottom of the cup.

does anyone have an idea of the max amount of flake (0.015 x 0.015) to add?
I added 3 level tablespoons full to 8oz clear and 4oz reducer...is this too much to keep suspended? should I add 1 or 2 tbsp instead?

thanks for the advice again,
Don W.

also, should I put the filter back in between the cup and gun?

Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:35 am

I would definitely try less. Remember that you don't have to try to pound it all on in one coat. Multiple coats are better. I am not big on HoK products, but that's just me. I mixed the flake into my Sherwin Williams Genisis line and I didn't have to worry about it settling or clumping. Of course, most people won't be spraying a fleet paint either. Do not put the filter in the gun, your flake will never make it through it.

Hey btmx: Is it just me, or does it look like a cheerleaders purse blew up in the booth every time you spray flake? :lol:

Naked: Yes, that gun sprays a dry flake which I do believe is required for some flakes. The last flake I shot was a HoK (they do have cool flake) large rainbow flake. I thought the shit was huge but I sprayed it right through my 1.5 tip.

Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:40 am

Too much flake at one time, i usually put one good spoon full into 16oz of ready to go midcoat, layering on the flake will help you in getting more uniform coverage.

Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:09 am

Thanks for the quick replies guys,

I am going to try for less flake/more coats and see where that gets me.
I do apreciate your help.

pictures to follow......
DW

Wed Jul 18, 2007 9:11 am

Keep us posted! I love a good flake job!

Wed Jul 18, 2007 5:06 pm

so far, I have lessened the amount of flake per quart and spraying with my old cheapie bottom feed gun. it seems to be working but it will take many coats to get the coverage I am looking for.

will update after I pick up some more clear mid-base for the flake (I have already gone through a whole quart for just my hood.

thanks again for the tech support,
Don W.

Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:11 am

Looking good!!!

Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:48 am

i removed the "rants" style posts.
please keep all "rants" posts in the rants.

Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:20 pm

i put all the flake on my buggy body and have the first coat of clear layed down. it's getting too hot now to do anymore...maybe tomorrow morning I can lay another 3 coats down to finish it up.

I wish the flake showed up better in the pix.

I want to thank everyone that took the time to answer my newbie questions and help me along.

Don W.
SoCal.

Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:24 pm

I finished laying the final clear coats today and all I can say is WOW!!! I was kind of dissapointed with the lack of shine/glitter after laying it down. But when I put that first coat of clear over it.....I was happily proven wrong.

I wish everyone could see how shiney and bright this thing really is now.

I hid the splatter on the hood under some black stripes

I just want to thank everyone again for the hints and ideas you provided during my ordeal....I plan to flake the roof of my 62 Falcon Futura next.

Don W.
SoCal

Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:56 pm

looks good!.. congrats on a job well done and the pride that goes with it to be able to say "i did it myself!"

Tue Aug 07, 2007 6:05 pm

That thing is tight. Love the wheels!