How to Apply Poly Flake Paint Finishes
Polyflake paint finish is a special paint with added metallic flakes. These metallic flakes come in a variety of colors and are painted onto your car for a glittery effect. Sometimes the effect is just to enhance the color of the car -- like dark red flakes on a red car. Or, you can use a color that is completely different from the color of your car which will make it appear to change colors in the sunlight. Getting this done by a professional can coast a couple hundred dollars. You can, however, learn how to do this yourself. With the right equipment, you can apply polyflake paint finish to your car yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- Clear coat auto paint
- Polyflake, any color
- Paint stick
- Blue painter's tape
- Garbage bags
- Air brush machine
Instructions
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1
Wash your car to remove any debris, dirt, mud, grease or oil from the paint. For best results, your car should be pre-painted with a basic flat color before adding the polyflake finish. If you've painted the car yourself, allow 24 hours for the car to completely dry before adding the finish.
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2
Purchase the clear coat auto paint and metal flakes from any car detailing shop. It's very important to get the proper flake color that matches your car. For example, if your car is black and you purchase red polyflake, your car will appear a deep cherry red in the sunlight. If you like that two-tone effect then go with it; but if you want a color to just complement your basic paint, then select a charcoal gray or black polyflake (see Tips).
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3
Mix the polyflake into the clear coat paint thoroughly with a paint stick. Ensure the flakes are completely mixed in for even application.
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4
Remove your licence plate, and cover any areas of the car that you don't want to finish with the polyflake paint. You can use blue painter's tape -- for delicate surfaces -- and garbage bags to protect your handles, tires, lights and grill.
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5
Pour the polyflake paint into an air brush machine according to the instructions. Airbrush machines can be bought or rented from most home improvement stores. Keep in mind that the air brush machine tip needs to be large so the flakes can fit through. Larger air brush tips can be purchased from auto detailing shops.
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Plug the air brush machine in, point the air brush nozzle at your car, and press the trigger. Apply the paint from the top of the car to the bottom in long, even and horizontal strokes. Make sure you don't concentrate the paint in one area, as that will create unevenness.
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7
Spray your entire car with the polyflake paint, then allow it to dry. Apply a second coat if necessary.
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Seal the polyflake finish by spraying the car with one coat of plain clear coat auto paint.
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Tips & Warnings
Regular color mixing rules apply: a blue polyflake on a yellow car will turn it green in sunlight; a red polyflake on a blue car will turn it purple in sunlight; a yellow polyflake on a red car will turn it orange in the sunlight, and so on.
References
- Photo Credit car image by sasha from Fotolia.com
