My apologies for a completely stupid question but what qualifies as metal flake paint? Is a color called 'metallic gray' a metal flake paint or is it really a metallic - one of those real shiny, metal looking surfaces? The surface in question is '92 Taurus I would like to repaint. The original factory dark gray paint has very subtle highlights in it and I can't tell if this is a metal flake or not. A body shop I took it to called it a metallic gray. Can anyone shed light on this for me? Are there gradations of metal flake finishes? (fine to coarse) The only metal flake finishes I have been around were the ones from the '70's that had these big, huge flakes embedded in the finish.

If this is a fine metal flake are there any special precautions for spraying using a conventional gun, not HVLP? Thanks!

 

Its kind of subjective. I always called a paint metal flake if I could distinguish between each individual flake. If not, I called it metallic. I have sprayed both with a conventional gun, with an agitator cup, of course. As far as precautions, follow the recommendations of the paint manufacturer with regard to breathing protection, etc.

 

I would get the paint code and start from there. Color flop, gun set up,
and gun technique are issues you must consider. You will probably want
to do a let down panel just to see what you are going to get. Matching metallic seperates the scuff, tape, shoot boys from the pros. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the responses. So, if the original finish appears to have very minute, fine, sparkly particles then it it likely a metallic finish? Color flop? Is this a desirable thing or a bad ending?

 

Yeah, that is what I would call it. I con't remember Ford using a grey on the Taurus that wasn't metallic, but if they did, I would have been so traumatized by the battleship look, I would have buried it in the cobwebs of my mind.... lol

 

Metal flake has very obvous flakes of metal. There are no car manufacturers who put metal flake on a production car because there are too many steps involved in applying it and there is a heavy duty sanding needed before the final clear coats. Would cost a mint at the factory. At least I am aware of no one who puts it out on a stock vehicle. You can stand back and see metal flake sparkle from a distance. You definitely have metallic.

 

Color flop refers to the fact that metallics and pearls will exhibit
different shades when viewed from different angles. This must be
factored in to the color matching process. It is controlled
somewhat by mixing, agitating, and gun angles, pressure and volume.

 

Thanks all for taking the time to reply and enlighten - much appreciated.