Thread: Metalflake era?

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I was at a car show last night, and looking at a local '73 model car. It was a compact with a V8 transplant, hood scoop, radiused rear fenders, solid Centerline style wheels, and slicks hanging out.

The owner told me he would like to use 'flake paint, but didn't know if a '73 would be a good candidate.

I know the paint came out about 1960, but can't remember the last time I saw it on a race car, before the popularity faded.

I know it was popular in the late '60s, and I saw some AA/GS cars at Indy in '67-'69. It seems to me that it was still seeing some use into the early seventies, but I'm not positive about how late.

Anyone remember any seventies racecars in 'flake?....even a local car?

don't remember any specifily but they were around---course that was the era that every one was going to candy and pearls--Cerny, Nat Quik, Carter,Kirby

...and, as I recall, the beginning of the psychedelic art. :-)

When we go to the k-zoo nats.the cars that everyone oo's and ahhh's over have the big flake. Not alot of people were around cars in the 60's that saw them. If I had a garden hose to paint it I would!

Actually 'flake is much easier today. Urethane paints have made it that way.

In the '70s, I did some 'flake on lowriders, but you were looking at 20-30 coats of lacquer, then a wait of a few weeks to sand and buff.

Here is a recent job, with no special tip on the gun.

yes it was still going on till the early 80s a round here my dads T was metal flake brand .kelly green that was early 70s with the big flake and my gto was a panel job out lined with the gold flake

With so many other things making comebacks, why not Metalflake paint??

Oh sure, now I suppose you're going to tell me that metalflakes and candies are out of style????????

Not in my opinion at all....I am tired of primer though...I like the shine

I am already seeing a marked increase in flake.....mostly on roofs and flames.

I had a Triumph TR6 Trophy Bird 650 that I painted silver metalflake somewhere around 1962. Ran it that way for about a year, then took it off and repainted it with metalflake kelly green and pinstriped it with light green, dark green and white. I lost interest in it after they changed the size and I couldn't get the 1/64th anymore. The 1/128th just didn't have the eyeball that the larger flake did.

Metal flake was supposedly around. I was not born in the 70's but I still know it was around. Hell, it's still around and always will be.

Actually I am asking about the period of the greatest popularity of 'flake....not if it was available. It has been available since Metalflake Corporation originated it's use for custom painting about 1960. By the time I started painting in about '72, it had been used a lot!

On a side note, for younger enthusiasts.....Metalflake Corporation was the "King of custom paints" starting about 1960, until House Of Kolor started to take over the biggest share of the market about 20-25 years later. Metalflake published all of the big how-to books then, and carried 'flake, pearls, candies, and many other specialty products. They still exist today, but it is a small family-owned business in the Northeast, and isn't really able to compete with HOK, which is no longer owned by Jon Kosmoski...but by the large chemical product manufacturer, Valspar.

I was there when many cars of the '60s used it...especially in drag racing. It was very popular on Gas Class race cars (the "original" gassers). :-) I recall many Willys painted with 'flake.

I just couldn't recall exactly when it fell out of popularity. It is clearly starting to make a comeback, if you are watching the internet chat, and pictures of recent projects.

All I know is it was big in the 60's. I wasn't born then so I dont know. I'd like to find out though as well.

Originally Posted by FMXhellraiser

All I know is it was big in the 60's. I wasn't born then so I dont know. I'd like to find out though as well.

From an old fart that was alive in the 60's and 70's - metalflake was around and popular.