I have a need to have a matt finish on a steel panel. The guy that's doing it for me does body work, so he's just familiar with automotive finishes and planned on using Centauri paint. Well I need it to be a flat or matt finish. So my question to those familiar with it is, how can I flatten the paint and not lose the properties or is there a different type of paint that you may know about that would give a matt type finish. The problem I had is this, I had a 3'x 15" x 10' box built out of 14 gauge steel plate. Well when I went to pick it up it had a few "waves" in the metal from the tack weld heat and I didn't like it. Long story short I thought if I could make it a matt finish that might not show the waves as much as a gloss finish and to make it ever harder it's going to be black.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a bunch
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Yep the Matthews is the way to go if you can. If your stuck with automotive paint, I just sprayed some panels with ppg and used a flattening agent from DuPont. I dont really like to use different brands whe you talking about paint but it works. You can use a single stage with the flattening agent and you should be fine. Matthews has a satin finish that is very easy to work with.
-------------------- Brian Stoddard Northwest Signs
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All of the major automotive paint manufacturers have a flatting agent that you can add to their paints.
One word of caution though..adding it to paint weakens the paint. I learned this from personal experience.
Just a comment.
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
The next time you need a matte signpaint, try Matthews, from ND GRAPHICS. You won't find you have any trouble with "weakening" eaither. ND GRAPHICS in London can even provide you with colour matches.
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Jon..If you read the original post you will see that the paint involved is NOT "sign" paint. It is Centari, a Dupont automotive urethane paint.
Now if you KNOW FOR SURE that THAT product you are suggesting WILL work with that particular automotive paint, AND will guarantee against any failures, then I will recommend it to all of my autobody/refinishing friends and ND Graphics can expand into the automotive refinishing field too!!!! LOL LOL
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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Matthews is basically an automotive grade paint adapted for the sign trade,it is designed for spray applications primarily.Having used both automotive and the matthews paint I find they are very similar, however matthews is designed for signage not automotive use.If centari was originally used I would suggest sanding the centari and a coat of sealing primer between any subsequent coats of paint, whether it be automotive or signage paint.The Matthews system is designed for longevity even with the flat finishes whereas automotive paint is not.
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Thanks to all of you. I will give it a try, but I have one other question, do they have a primer as part of their system too or what would you suggest there on priming bare metal before the Mathews?
Thanks again that really helped. This project has been a learning experienced from start to finish. Some day soon I'll post a step-by-step on how I've done this whole thing with credits to the ones that have helped with some how to's!
Take Care All!
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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The mathews paint has it's own primer as it is a complete paint system. If I am not mistaken they offer both single stage and 2 stage ureathane enamels.
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I think that even my normal supplier carries it too! How conviiiiiiiiient!
Have a great day!
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Centari makes a flattner ...but I use their flattner made for... Lucite acrylic mixing lacquers#467 flatner
It will give you complete ccontroll over the exact amount of "flat"you desire ...I hope I got to you in time you'll really like this product (I don't use with hardner).
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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Centari is single stage and just an inexpensive paint which doesn't really hold up very well through the years. So why not just use PPG - DP 90 which is an Epoxy sealer and a matt finish in black. DP holds up very well in all weather.
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
Don't know much about the paint end of the deal, but I'm not sure that any paint will get the waves out. I worked as a welder in a shipyard that builds 165' offshore boats out of aluminum. When they are welded, (especially when the machine is set too hot) they make these waves you are talking about.The way we deal with that is to grind, grind & more grind. It's not fun trust me. And even after all that grinding, it still has waves!
When looks are important, like when building a pleasure boat, they use bondo to smooth things out.
Good luck,
Tony B
-------------------- Tony Broussard Graphic Details Digital Media Loreauville, LA Posts: 395 | From: Loreauville, LA | Registered: Jul 1999
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Thanks again for all the advice. Now I'll just have choose one.
I really do appreciate your experience on this.
Take Care...
-------------------- Chuck Gallagher Pro Graphics Signs by Design Cabool, MO 417.962.3291 "I grew up in Letterville" Posts: 776 | From: Cabool, Mo. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Be sure to lert us know which way you decided to go and let us know how it turned out...
I just finished another job today with the same product I told you about...durability? I have several out there that are over 10 years old now and still look like new.
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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