How to Make a Black Pearl Coat

Set up the spray gun before you add hardener to the paint.

Black pearl coat paint finishes look extraordinary when viewed in the sunlight, but are understated in low light conditions, making them excellent for use with custom cars. Applying these finishes to your car takes some practice to get right, but with practice, you will find that you can apply this kind of paint to practically any surface, from cars to laptop computers.

Things You'll Need

• HVLP spray gun
• Air compressor with air lines
• Black automotive paint
• Paint reducer
• Paint catalyst
• Black pearl flake additive
• Mixing cup
• Electronic scale
• Paint strainer
• Paint stir stick

Instructions

1. Plug the HVLP spray gun into the air compressor's air lines. Before mixing the paint, it's a good idea to have the spray gun already set up to paint. Set all the dials on the gun to their middle setting, and then set the air pressure going into the gun to 20 pounds per square inch. This is the dial located at the very bottom of the spray gun's handle.

2. Place the paint cup on the electronic scale and zero out its reading. It is very important to take accurate measurements when mixing paint so that you can replicate the paint color later. Mix the black paint with reducer and hardener according to the paint manufacturer's instructions.

3. Make a note about the current weight of the paint, reducer and hardener on a separate piece of paper. In order to replicate the paint color again, you will have to know this.

4. Add black pearl flake additive to the paint mixture, keeping in mind that a small amount of pearl goes a long way. In factory automotive finishes, manufacturers seldom use more than a tablespoon of pearl flake per quart of paint mixed. Adding too much more could make the paint job look overdone. When you have done this, make a note of the overall weight of the paint mixture again. This will give you precisely the measurement you need to replicate the paint again.

5. Mix the paint thoroughly with a stir stick until all the clumps of pearl have been mixed into the paint. Be careful to avoid splashing yourself with the paint while stirring.

6. Place the paint strainer over the HVLP spray gun's paint reservoir, and then pour the paint in. Remove the strainer, cap the reservoir, and then paint the vehicle just as you would any other paint finish. When the paint has tacked up slightly and has a slightly dull appearance, apply three to four coats of clear top coat to protect the vehicle's pearl coat finish.

References

• "Automotive Paint Handbook: Paint Technology for Auto Enthusiasts and Body Shop Professionals"; John Pfanstiehl; 1998
• "How to Paint Your Car"; Dennis Parks; 2003
• "How to Paint Your Car on a Budget"; Pat Gahahl; 2006