Metal Flake

[jwrass]

This A.M. I clear coating some Motorcycle Tins, in between coats I checked the site and looked at the Malico Gaser thread in the Q&A section. Andy Lemble aka 1930fordpickup had posted some awesome pictures of the Malico Gasser (thanks Andy) and their was mention of Metalflake. A few months ago I purchased some various sizes of glitter at Wally World in the crafts section to experiment with adding glitter in clear to mimic Metal Flake ( old school flake not to be confused with high metallic ) When I first brought it home I sprayed some rattle can clear on some plastic and sprinkled some glitter on it and it looked fairly convincing. After reading the post a light went on and I went into the house and snatched up my glitter. I had some left over clear so I poured some of it into these small medicine cups I keep on hand and mixed some glitter into the clear and sprayed it on to some test panels.

I was surprised how convincing the results were. The small glitter looked like a medium flake and the medium size glitter looked like boat flake. very close to scale if not right on.

I am not aware of anyone who makes a true Metal Flake in a rattle can. Years ago ( like many) Testors or Patra had a deal with a Ed Roth and it was Marketed as a flake but it was more like a heavy metallic.

I sprayed this through a production gun so I didn't have any problem moving the flake. I think a single action cheepo airbrush would work great for this with the material screw wide open, I think you would have to run high air pressures to get the material up the straw but Metal Flake was sprayed at a high pressures anyway so it would be much like a 1:1 procedure.

I just may pull out my badger Wren and give it a whirl, if I can find it!!!!

Respectfully submitted, jwrass

[Mike Kucaba]

James. I actually have some metalflake brand (still in the box!) it came in Probably from the early to mid sixties. I think I'll dig it out and take a pic.

[jwrass]

Mike, That would be really cool to see and you are right it was from the Sixties

[Kit Basher]

I have a bottle of Pactra R/C car paint that has large silver flakes in clear lacquer. I tried it thru my A/B and it worked fine. I think It would be what you are calling "boat flake", but I do remember a 1:1 car I saw at a show in the sixties that had flakes that were like 3/4 inch square. I may give it a try sometime.

[jwrass]

Hugh,

The boat flake is the large stuff you saw years ago. Back in the day you had three sizes of flake sm,med,large actually made by a company who's name was Metalflake their main deal was Metalflake when that died down(died really) they got into all types of custom finishes candies, pearls. etc. they had good products but the company fizzled in the late 70s early 80s. Boat flake is a term the low rider painters use for large flake. That came from the large flake you see on sport fishing boats

Edited July 8, 2014 by jwrass

[scale trucker]

parma also sells a powder flake in a jar for r/c cars ive used it and it works well

[jwrass]

Gordon, Thanks for the info! I will check that out!

[Mooneyzs]

Jimmy.... very cool idea.... you got any pics of your test shots by chance.

[Jon Haigwood]

I used Auto-air colors back when I was doing motorcycle tanks and have some left over Sparkle white and metallics when I get my painting area setup I will see how they look to scale.

[jwrass]

Jon,

I have used some (still do) Auto Art products and like them (can't completely leave my HOK) but have never used any of the Sparkle Flake they have. I have seen some amazing work that Simon Murray has done with them. How did you like them?(the flake) how did they lay down? Curious to know? Did you stop painting Motorcycles? jrass

[Jon Haigwood]

Jon,

I have used some (still do) Auto Art products and like them (can't completely leave my HOK) but have never used any of the Sparkle Flake they have. I have seen some amazing work that Simon Murray has done with them. How did you like them?(the flake) how did they lay down? Curious to know? Did you stop painting Motorcycles? jrass

I never did much with the SparkleFlakes so I can say how well they work. I will do some test runs when I get my paint area set up.

I don't paint motorcycle anymore.

[Flexcars]

Doesn't testors make a metal flake mixed in a bottle of clear? Thought I saw some at Michael's.