Metal Flake Info Needed

[flatheaded]

I know there is probably a pretty long drawn out answer to my questions but what I would like to know is what is the "average" size of metal flake?  I've been thinking about doing some small pieces just to see what it would look like but notice the stuff comes in different sizes.  I don't want anything too out there, just noticeable.  Color choices for now are dark red, dark blue, or dark green if it matters.  
   Also, do I have to use a specific color flake with a certain color choice?  I've been looking at the Roth Flake that is available and it of course comes in about a dozen different colors.  
   Lastly, is the flake mixed in with the base color or the clear? I think I read on the HAMB that it goes in with the clear but I'm not sure.  Anybody know of any good books out there on this sort of thing?
   As you can see I don't know diddly about this stuff  :oops: and hope someone has some basic answers.  Overspray, where are you!!?!! :cry:

[Tom]

Can't help you with the flake, but I see you got a lover press!!

[sko_ford]

i'm no expert but yeah it should go in the clear or a binder over the base, fallowed by candy then clear of just clear depending on the look you need

[flatheaded]

Can't help you with the flake, but I see you got a lover press!!

   Yeah, my old press was actually my 100 ton brake here in the shop but I am in the process of revamping everything to a portable frame with a air over hydraulic cylinder. The brake ran too fast and it was easy to f*#k things up. I've got the trunk lid off my wife's '32 to do yet. Hopefully I'll have everything going in a few months.

[eugenevik]

the first time and last time I did flake I put down a red base and used  red and silver flake quite coarse and did it with lacquer this was 1969 no technology  then put about 2 gal of clear on it and it was a bueaty till wife #1 toateled it and paint cracked
use  lots of big nuts to agitait the flake and shake gun

hey its just a experiment, try it a few ways

[flatheaded]

the first time and last time I did flake I put down a red base and used  red and silver flake quite coarse and did it with lacquer this was 1969 no technology  then put about 2 gal of clear on it and it was a bueaty till wife #1 toateled it and paint cracked
use  lots of big nuts to agitait the flake and shake gun

hey its just a experiment, try it a few ways

   Thanks for the input. I actually just read an article in the latest issue of Car Kulture DeLuxe and it pretty much shows what you just talked about. We are just trying to do the roof on my Henry J but I think we'll try some test panels before we tackle the real deal. Thanks again!

[eugenevik]

the memory is old like me but I did get  some lines in paint and cross sprayed it and still did not like it so I spiderwebbed it to take out some of the 2 color motteling. sprayed  a test on my barn door still there
so maybee 1 color flake would be easier

we also laced the roof on the same car at NDSCS, skills were abundant and paint was cheep that was done with acrylic lacquer

[Eyeball]

I have sprayed a few different sizes of flake. When I sprayed the big stuff I wanted complete coverage and mixed it with the clear until It would not spray and then added a little more clear so it would flow again. Keep the flake suspended in the cup by swirling the gun around often. I have heard of some people putting ball bearings in the the cup to help. After you get the flake coverage you are looking for just start laying on the clear until it is buried. I have seen several cars that did not have deep enough clear on them and when they sanded the clear it cut the points off the flake and gave it a dull look. After you get done sanding it smooth then you can put your finishing clear coat on if you want but if it is deep enough you may not need another coat.

[Tom]

We are just trying to do the roof on my Henry J but I think we'll try some test panels before we tackle the real deal. Thanks again![/quote]

Henry J ?? How many projects you got going? :shock:  Sound like we should do a garage tour down your direction. :wink:

[flatheaded]

As far as projects I have too many,  just like everyone else here. The price was right on the "J" and I always wanted to build some kind of a gasser. It's a slow process since I only work on it when I'm tired of everything else.
   Thanks for the info Eyeball. It's starting to make sense now. Found some more info on the HAMB last night and it basically said what you did. One of the things that was stressed most was to get enough clear on so you don't buff down to the flake, like you said. Thanks everyone, much appreciated.

[sundance]

the larger the flake the more clear u need to go over it- i used 1/64 th flake and i can't remember how many coats of clear we did--10-15?

[overspray]

Looks like you're getting headed in the right direction.  I used to have a siphon feed gun cup that had an air powered agitator/rotating stirring mechanism in the bottom to keep the flake suspended.  A gravity feed primer gun with a 2.0 or 2.5MM tip will do the trick.  Add some marbles to the batch to keep it stirred, shaking carefully and frequently. Nuts will cut up and bend the flake.  I see Roths' kid has some books and a gravity feed flake gun for sale in an add in R&C.  Go to the craft or hobby store and get some glitter for testing.  Some of the hobby store glitter is colorfast in paint and works real well and very inexpensive.  Test panels are the key to getting a good job without blowing a big wad of cash.

http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/howto/135_0308_flake/index.html

[Ryan]

I mix the 'flake in a clear binder like PPG DBC 500.  It is cheaper than clear and keeps the mil thickness down until clear is applied to bury the 'flake.  If I am spraying silver 'flake then I apply a couple coats of coarse silver paint in the event complete coverage with the 'flake is not achieved.

[CJHacker]

There's also this post in the Paint N Primer section:

http://www.suedescarclub.com/pn/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=222