Thread: I Need the Truth about Suede Black

Tweet

Check into Kustom shops pre flattened single stage. There fairly affordable and durable. My experience is flattened paint is impossible to keep clean. Every fingerprint shows up as a greasy spot not to mention road tar. Also minor scuffs leave glossy marks. Primers do not have the required uv protection and any sanding a polishing leaves a glossy finish. Flattened single stages and clears can be polished but all leave a low gloss finish instead of a flat finish. The only true flat paint I have used that maintains its finish is Alsa corps soft feel paint. Just as it sounds it feels like velvet and maintains a true flat appearance. It is very expensive but works well on interior stuff because of its durability. Its like 350 for 1.5 gallons rts versus custom shops 100-150 for 1.3 gallons rts.

I've had exactly the same experience Hotrodpaint has had with shooting flattened enamel.........if you hold the gun a second too long in one area it turns out slightly shinier than the rest. Corners and edges of brackets seem to be the worst offenders, as they will build up a thicker layer more quickly than flat surfaces. The first thing we tried to paint with flattened enamel was the original frame on my Son's '29. We shot it like we shot everything........last coat nice and wet, and the thing came out shiny as can be. Lady at the paint store said not to shoot it wet because that is what happens. I also understand if you buff out flattened clear to remove imperfections it becomes shiny too.

Hotrod Flatz is just flattened Dupont Omni I have heard, so you can get the same product by visiting your local paint shop.

Don

Since this thread was resurrected I figured I would show you a properly done "Black Suede"...

After all body prep and masking of course:

Start off with Sherwin Williams DS694 2K black sealer, shot, then scuffed with 600 we moved on to a mix of DM500 (strong black) and DA668 (flattening agent) in a true 1:1 mix. What you see is the end result, no shine (it actually got flatter into the next day for that true "primer" look), easy maintenance, and durability...Will start another thread with a 54 Chevy we have in the shop right now getting the same basic treatment (only tu tone with roof and quarter insert panels in a glass metallic blue)....