Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

I would like to spray a metallic paint. My problem is, when I sprayed it before, I always ended up with metallic streaks in the paint. And yes it was mixed good. For those of you who have use metallic paint, is there a method of spraying metallic. I was told by one person that on the last coat, hold the gun far away and shoot a mist coat. That may be a good idea but when I sand and buff, the mist coat buffs away. I will be spraying acrylic lacquer at around 40 pounds. Any advice.

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

Single stage metalic is hard to spray, you cant sand & buff like solid colors without some streakng. you need to get it on real smooth then rub it out, no sanding. takes a lot of pratice to spray. two stage metalics are easier ( base coat with a clear coat top) then you are just sanding & buffing the clear. experts will chime in.

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

Some guys would color sand the car after it is thoroughly covered to smooth the imperfections,then add 40% clear to the last couple coats to even out the metallic

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

Spray 5 to 7 coats in a cross pattern , across the hood then the other way , windshield to bumper thinned 150% .Dont spray it in the sun . ,Yes you can mist it on ,in a hot climate this can leave streaks ,you can add a retarder .Sand lightly ,any marks out on the colour coat with 800 on the 3rd to last coat .Dont sand the last coat of colour ,then like the others add 50% clear, thin 200% ,5 more coats . On the last 5 coats spray it straight clear ,you can sand it with 800 on the 2rd to last coat if there are imperfections ,Sand and polish the clear at the end .50PSI at the gun .

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

If you hold the gun too close you have gun tracks. You should cross spray.With clear coat it much easier then the old days. Silver was the problem to cover and gun tracks.

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

I used a syphon gun with a 5/16 ball bearing in it. Keep spinning the ball bearing around in the bottom of the can.
works good
lasts long time

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

It's all about the overlap. I try to go at least 50% overlap and cross spray like others have said. base coat/clear coat makes it a lot easier. And having a decent gun helps too. Ken

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

I will be using only lacquer, no clear coat. At least I'm not painting the whole car. Just dash and window frames, so maybe by them being smaller, I can make it work. I have sprayed a lot of lacquers and enamels and the last time I try metallic, I had a problem. If it looks to bad I will pay someone to spray the dash. I think the frames will do OK.

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

A proper Lacquer job has to have clear over it other wise you will be cutting into the Metallic particles .

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

All of the above but more than anything else the angle of the gun to the surface must stay the same, ie. at 90 deg. If you change the angle as you go back and forth you will change the way the flake lies as it hits the surface and this is where the streaks come from. If you watch a pro painter, the angle of the gun and the distance from the work never changes.

David

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

I would clear coat it to preserve my sanity, or what's left of it.

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

As others have said, you will sand the metallics and it will give the paint a mottled effect.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned was your fan pattern. Do a test spray on a piece of cardboard and if need be, open your fan adjustment(spray pattern) you want a good wide fan when spraying any kind of paint, but is really critical when it comes to metallics & pearls.

You can do a mist coat with 10% paint 80% thinner 10% retarder to help with flow out etc, but you must make absolutely sure you hold the gun the same distance away from the car- if you get the gun closer on a fender than a door- you will notice some color shift.

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

After reading all of the above, it reminds me why I HATE metallic paints. JMO, but, I not only think they are a PITA, but that they look kinda cheap and gaudy. Too much bling for me.

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

I was surprize to find out henry used metallic paint on the old fords. In the 35/36 ford book it stated that the dash and window frames were metallic taupe. Hard to believe they had metalic back than.

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

True, the rose on the '40 delux dash is metalic.

Re: Question for ones who do their own paint spraying
 

What all has been said, plus try reducing pressure by 5 pounds. Sometimes that will help. Ron