Thoughts on satin/flat paint jobs?

[thorsen]

I have an old Audi Quattro that I use as my "snow car" and summer cruiser. It's a smaller 4 door sedan, and I'm thinking that I want to paint it in a satin/flat/matte finish. I'm not worried about cost of supplies, resale value, or what other people think. I am concerned about longevity of the finish, maintenance concerns (can you wash? doe sit need to be waxed?), and "hiding" (ie - does a satin black hide more dents that gloss black?)

Does anyone have any practical experience with a satin/flat/matte paint job?

[davidmash]

I know you said you were not concerned with what others thought about appearance but I think it would look pretty cool especially with a darker color. Having said that I seem to recall hearing or reading that is difficult to maintain the appearance. I do not believe you can touch it with polish as it it will take away the mat/satin finish. Cleaning could also be an issue as far as using various cleaners to remove tar or what ever.

Good luck

[TheDon]

grab a wagner paint gun and have at it!

or maybe paint it with some plasti dip

[tbomachines]

I love satin paint, especially the new blends that are coming on the new German luxury cars. Unfortunately I hear they are very difficult to keep clean as you can't really polish it or wax it right? On an old beater I'd say go for it!

[cmbdiesel]

I'd go with the satin.

Are you planning this as a DIY project?

If so, then you are on the right track with resale value and other's opinions.

Black shows everything, especially shiny black.

Longevity.... depends on what's there already, what you do for prep and what your material is.
My guess is that this is a job you can revisit every couple years, so longevity shouldn't really be an issue.

Oh, yeah, a short nap roller is probably better than long...

[SwampYankee]

I dig 'em. Even considering having my wagon shot with a matte clear once I (finally get of my fat @$$ and) get my rust fixed.

[Skippy]

This question came up on a Kawasaki forum where I sometimes post. What I said there:

My first bike was black. The guy who ran it over said he never saw it. My current bike is Candy Plasma Blue and it hasn't been hit yet.

OTOH, I used to have a '72 Mercury Montego when I was in high school. When I got it, it was an awful greenish yellow color. My mom hated it so much she gave me some money to get it painted. The amount turned out to be not enough for a real paint job, but it was enough to have Maaco shoot it in Sherwin Williams Dark Grey Primer. I was happy with the result. I kept that car for about another year. Wash? What's that? Wax? You must really be kidding.

[MS Fowler]

You mean like rat road satin paint job?

[jplinville]

Are you going with a single stage matte/satin color, or spraying color, then clear coating with a flattening agent?

Either way, a mild dish soap, like Dawn, is the best product to wash it with, as many car wash products contain waxing or polishing agents. Dawn cuts the road grime, and rinses clean.

On my old Mopar, I had the matte finish black hood. Dawn was the only thing I could find that would clean it and make it look good.

[catmandoo62]

why not just use some roll on bed liner.give it that gravel road texture.throw on some big driving lights and the neighbors will think you've taken up off-road racing.just don't get any of that bed liner on ya it will not come off.it will take skin before it lets go.

[JB3]

One day I had this genius idea to paint my work truck flat black with spray cans.

All I can say is that don't drink while doing it, and don't try and wax flat paint.

[TheDon]

Originally Posted by dropnosky

One day I had this genius idea to paint my work truck flat black with spray cans.

All I can say is that don't drink while doing it, and don't try and wax flat paint.

wal mart has flat black spray cans for $.97 each, work pretty well.

[Chad300tdt]

It's easier to maintain a vinyl wrap. Plus you can wax the vinyl and maintain the matte look provided you don't use a buffer.

Matte Black Car Wraps

Maintenance

EDIT: Oh yeah, you can remove it if you get tired of the look.

[SwampYankee]

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

It's easier to maintain a vinyl wrap. Plus you can wax the vinyl and maintain the matte look provided you don't use a buffer.

Matte Black Car Wraps

Maintenance

EDIT: Oh yeah, you can remove it if you get tired of the look.

Ooooh, I wouldn't even need to fix the rust...

[Mr.Kenny]

How about a velvet flocked paint job 1970's style?