I was watching "Rides" on TLC a while back and the truck being featured was painted flat black. Ever since I've been contemplating and I've decided thats what I want. What do I need to do to paint the entire car flat black for it's permanent color? I've looked into having local shops do it, but they're all old timers and they give me the "I don't use black primer, I use tan/beige primer" or "I only paint gloss". The car needs to be sanded to bare metal, and I've already done the hood and the fenders. Once I get it all bare metal, what do I need to do? Will flex agent in the bumper paint be necessary? Will flex agent shift the color of the paint? Do i actually prime the car and then find flat black paint or do I just find black primer sealer and just leave it at that? A few people told me to just buy spraycan primer...but I was under the impression that primer sealer had to be used if it was a long term deal or else moisture would still seap and cause rust. I can't find much about flat paint. Any help I can get on this topic would be very appreciated.

 

If you take it down to metal you will need to seal it or it will rust. Also primer doesn't prevent mositure from getting to the metal. You will need actual flat black paint, go to your local paint store and get them to look it up. Like jessie james's black car he drives on the monster garage show alot, it is flat black, it looks good on cars/trucks that can be offset with crome and or aluminium. Do not use rattle can to prime the car, you will need real primer.

its just the same as if with gloss, and most of the time its not flat paint its a simigloss black or a satin black.

 

any other good info? will a black primer sealer work or does satin black really look that much better?

 

go to a Automotive Paint Store and ask about DP90 It is what 90 percent of these trucks and cars are using to get that flat Look then Wet sand and check for high low spots make nessecary modifcations and wet sand some more when your happy with the results Clear Over it with several Coats of clear. Make sure that you understand Flash time and that you get a clear that is compatiable With DP90, MAKE SURE TO HAVE A GOOD VENTLATION MASK FOR DP90 CONTAINS SOME VERY HARMFUL VAPORS!!!!! I think it contains stric 9 BTW They also have a white version of it I think it is DP80

My 02

 

Yeah PPG DP 90 would be the way to go. That is an epoxy primer that is also considered a sealer. Very water and rust resistent. Don't use spray can for a primer base. People that use that are just kidding themselves. It will come back to haunt you. If you have any rust on the car then you will need to remove it. As good as the epoxy primer is if there is rust under it then it will rust again. Other wise it will hold just fine. As for thr bumpers you need a flexable primer for them "if" you take the bumpers off. That is because when you you out them back on they are under more stress than normal trying to fit them as you move and push them around. If you leave them on the car then you won't need it for the DP. All you will need is alittle reducer that helps make the DP more flexable. They will show you at the paint shop. Just go thin on the bumpers. Thick paint tends to crack and not be flexable with plastic parts. Now this only applies to PPG DP primer. Ther brands and paints require different steps. So stick with one brand and go with it. Good luck.

 

The DP 90 looks excellent. The clear isn't going to give it a shine at all though, right? Is there a special clear I need to be looking for or anything?

 

It Will Look Just a Little Glossier But Its main purpose is for Weather Protection. Just make sure to spray Light coat of Clear and make sure to over lap the Previous pass and use a few Coats, the more coats the glossier it will be. Well this is my experience.

my .02

 

Hmmm. I might have to look into that for my '82.. I'm starting to see some rust spots....

 

Some older hotrod guys I know recommended "Blitz Black" from John Deere...anybody know anything about it? they said it was a pretty forgiving enamel paint that was really durable...