Best way to get that flat black look...
 

I want to paint my truck flat black...whats the best way to do it??? I heard of so many different ways, what do you guys recommend?

The best way to make it look good and last a long time is to use flattened black paint or flattened clear coat over black base coat.

I painted my car with flattened PPG clear coat over orange base coat years ago and it still looks as good now as it did on day 1.

Primer will get ugly when exposed to weather day in and day out, so you need to use some type of a paint as a topcoat.

The flattening agent is available from your paint jobber. Just ask for it and they should have it on the shelf somewhere. Follow the directions the manufacturer has and you'll get good results.

As another option, several cheaper paint products are available like John Deere tractor flat black. Don't expect the same long term durability from the cheaper route though.

I've heard the way to go is to clear with a flattening agent in it over black base. That way when the whole "flat black" fad is over, you just have to scuff it and shoot it with clear and you have shiny black.

Thanks guys for the info.

PPG's 2060 is a flat clear. No need to use a flattner its ALREADY flat!!

eric, what does ppg make that clear for?? is there a collision repair/refinish application that calls for flattened clear?? underhood maybe??

I used to paint flattened black on mid 80's Mustangs. The GT's used a semi flat black section in the middle of the hood and on the louvers behind the quarter windows. Here in the Texas sun, it would deteoriate the black until it would start to surface rust through it, so we repainted several of them.

how long will just primer hold up to the elements .. before it starts looking like poop

weeks, maybe months. when my 71 was in primer i would wash it with a red scotchbrite pad and it would look fresh again! hahahhaha

yah the black truck used to have a flat Sealer and that lasted less than a year. Depending on how much money you want to spend there are a lot of choices out there.

DP90 is an epoxy primer that is somewhere in the range of flat. It will last, won't absorb water, fade, etc......

I don't agree. Here in sunny Texas, DP primer will get chalky in less than a summer.

We used it on chevy truck fender flares.
Underhood stuff, hell you just the basecoat then come back real quick with DBC500 mixed 1:1. Provided some protection but yet flat.
To be honest I have no idea why they make, probably cause many other companies also make a flat clear, Spies, standox

Epoxy primer will chaulk out causing it to turn grayish when exposed to UV light from the sun. Its meant to provide corrosion resistance and adhesion NOT UV protection...eric

A few months back I saw an Indian motorcycle on E-bay that was painted with what the owner call "Satin Black" and it looked sharp! Might just call up a few paint shops and ask who makes it.

Dupont just came out with a satin black. Named it "hot rod black". Haven't tried it but saw a great review in a magazine couple months back.

isnt that some "hot hues" thing??? i havent tried the hothues line yet, but hopefully the dupont will send some to the local dupont store to try. i cant wait to strictly use dupont and not have to mess around with hok and rm for custom stuff.

Flat Black
 

Use Baby Powder In Gloss, It Will Turn It Flat. Works All The Time For Me And It Does Not Look Like Primer. Lots Of Luck.