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71 mx-15 restoration and build
- Thread starter youwont56
- Start date
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Woa, that went fast. Is there a reason that you didn't lay down a layer of black gel coat before spraying that purple flake? The black is what gives the metal flake the perceived depth. You can also see the original black layer in first pictures posted. My guess is the reason you went through so much metal flake is because you were trying to block out most of the white with coverage of purple metal flake. I can only imagine how much metal flake that would take. Now your surface is going to be really bumpy. You will need gobs and gobs of clear to cover these metal flake 'mountains' sufficiently for sanding. If you sand without proper coverage of clear, the metal flake will silver. The sand paper will tear off the thin purple poly coloring added to the metal flakes.
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Woa, that went fast. Is there a reason that you didn't lay down a layer of black gel coat before spraying that purple flake? The black is what gives the metal flake the perceived depth. You can also see the original black layer in first pictures posted. My guess is the reason you went through so much metal flake is because you were trying to block out most of the white with coverage of purple metal flake. I can only imagine how much metal flake that would take. Now your surface is going to be really bumpy. You willneed gobs and gobs of clear to cover these metal flake 'mountains' sufficiently for sanding. If you sand without proper coverage of clear, the metal flake will silver. The sand paper will tear off the thin purple poly coloring added to the metal flakes.
We'll I was thinking a bace coat of white would look good. This was before I found out that you really should spray flake over black or a color close to the color of the flake. But if I wanted 100% purple flake and not to see black or white bace still would need same amount of flake no? That was my thinking thought the white background would look good with the white graphics along with the white cream seats I plan on doing and the white cream epoxy in between my mahogany flooring tie it all together. It is a little rough yes I sanded a little bit today to take of the high spots and it didn't seam to silver. I only used 1 lb of flake witch didn't seam to be to bad if I had more practice with the flake gun probably would of used a lot less. I've seen where people have used like 6 lbs of flake on a car. The gun makes for a lot of overspray of flake that doesn't stick. I was planing on putting a good amount of clear over any how. But I'm happy with the white background gives it a deep look I think. Mistakes yes a little money lose yes but learning how to shoot flake well worth it. I saw somewhere you can talk to 10 different people about shooting flake and they will tell you 10 different ways to shoot it. I wanted the big .025 ( bass boat size) flake so It wouldn't work mixing it in the gun so had to go with the flake gun. Also was told that the flake gun will make the flake role up on edge and stand up like kristles witch gives it more depth and reflect the light more from angels. Better then mixing it in the clear where the flake will lay flat. This is what I was told maybe just trying to sell me a flake gun. Like I said every one knows a different way. But I thank you for your concern and your boat bottom came out awesome !
I think the whites are close.
Jetmate
Well-known member
We'll I was thinking a bace coat of white would look good. This was before I found out that you really should spray flake over black or a color close to the color of the flake. But if I wanted 100% purple flake and not to see black or white bace still would need same amount of flake no? That was my thinking thought the white background would look good with the white graphics along with the white cream seats I plan on doing and the white cream epoxy in between my mahogany flooring tie it all together. It is a little rough yes I sanded a little bit today to take of the high spots and it didn't seam to silver. I only used 1 lb of flake witch didn't seam to be to bad if I had more practice with the flake gun probably would of used a lot less. I've seen where people have used like 6 lbs of flake on a car. The gun makes for a lot of overspray of flake that doesn't stick. I was planing on putting a good amount of clear over any how. But I'm happy with the white background gives it a deep look I think. Mistakes yes a little money lose yes but learning how to shoot flake well worth it. I saw somewhere you can talk to 10 different people about shooting flake and they will tell you 10 different ways to shoot it. I wanted the big .025 ( bass boat size) flake so It wouldn't work mixing it in the gun so had to go with the flake gun. Also was told that the flake gun will make the flake role up on edge and stand up like kristles witch gives it more depth and reflect the light more from angels. Better then mixing it in the clear where the flake will lay flat. This is what I was told maybe just trying to sell me a flake gun. Like I said every one knows a different way. But I thank you for your concern and your boat bottom came out awesome !
I think the whites are close.
I never sprayed gel coat or used a flake gun, so I am not that familiar with the system. But I do see Rick's point. So I was wondering, so as not to waste any of the clear gel coat, couldn't you just wet the boat down with the garden hose to get an idea of how it will look when cleared? I know I have said this in other threads before, but it works.
Would hate to see the gel coat wasted if the flake is not right. It's a cheap easy way to see what it will look like cleared, as long as water will not cause it any harm, Don't see why it would. Just a thought in hopes of saving some bucks.
Jetmate with the flake gun you spray the boat with clear then take the flake gun and shoot the flake on the tacky coat of clear you just put on. So if I wet it out with water it will look the same as it dose now. I just have to spray clear to get full coverage over the flake and smooth not felling like sandpaper like it dose now. I put one coat of clear over the flake yesterday but ran out of worm wether. But with using a lot of flake to cover the hole boat I will need quite a bit more coats of clear to get it smooth. I thinking about using sandpaper to knock down the really high spots of flake. What I did was wet out the boat with clear then shot flake on more clear more flake more clear more clear so on and so on till I got full coverage of purple. The layers of purple of flake is where you get depth from or so I'm told. Not sure how many times I did this had to work fast didn't want it to dry in the spray gun or on the boat so the flake wouldn't stick. Then pulled the tape of the bottom and graphics on the sides and sprayed silver flake added to clear over everything. Then one coat of clear over that. This is where I'm at now. I just have to add more coats of clear to cover all the flake.
Jetmate
Well-known member
Gotcha, Now I understand the process. Sounds like you got it covered. I know some of the colors we used in auto applications were very transparent so we would spray a similar color on first then the color it was to be.
As for wet sanding the flake. I am not sure that will work. Pretty sure that will change the look of the flake in the areas you wet sand. I know that is true for automotive flake and the metallics are usually smaller and less visible than what you are using. Good luck. Boat is looking great.
Hi Youwont56,
I understand your process better now with the larger flake size and different approach with the metal flake gun. You will definitely also go through more flake using that gun. I barely went through any flake at all. I ordered 3 pounds (had to buy it in 1 pound increments) and wanted to make sure I had the stuff for later if I ever wanted to shoot the top. But once again, I was shocked, I barely used any at all. But I am concerned a bit about your plan to continue sanding down the flake before clearing it completely. I know you said you started doing this and so far haven't seen any silvering, but you may not be completely through the clear you did put on. Gelcoat is pretty tuff stuff. I had silvering where I accidentally let the hose from the spray gun touch. This happened even after I hit the area with lots of extra clear. Just don't want to see you screw up your job.
I understand your process better now with the larger flake size and different approach with the metal flake gun. You will definitely also go through more flake using that gun. I barely went through any flake at all. I ordered 3 pounds (had to buy it in 1 pound increments) and wanted to make sure I had the stuff for later if I ever wanted to shoot the top. But once again, I was shocked, I barely used any at all. But I am concerned a bit about your plan to continue sanding down the flake before clearing it completely. I know you said you started doing this and so far haven't seen any silvering, but you may not be completely through the clear you did put on. Gelcoat is pretty tuff stuff. I had silvering where I accidentally let the hose from the spray gun touch. This happened even after I hit the area with lots of extra clear. Just don't want to see you screw up your job.
Ya I don't want to mess it up ether so I think ill spray some clear coats and see where I get with that before I sand more if I even do that. Thanks again. How much gel coat did you use on your bottom? Wish it wasn't cloudy and chance or rain today. I could of sprayed. looks like it's not going to be nice till the weekend.
Ya I know I was thinking scotch bright with acetone should work. Help to get some bus off.
Wish I had a place to spry inside.Not counting the black, I used two quarts spaying the flake and a gallon of clear on top of that and I could have probably used more. Keep in mind that didn't even do my whole bottom, just the middle section of it.
It's been a long slow winter with recovering from back surgery and what not. But looking to get back at the boat. I want to wet sand and buff the bottom. Haven't done anything with it since I sprayed it. I started with 600 today. Just wondering how high should I go? Also what should I use to buff with and what wax to use?
Good to see you're back at it (no pun intended). How are you feeling? I'ld be happy to come over and put in an afternoon sanding. Just say the word.
Backs doing well thanks I get to go back to work the 21 so I'm excited for that. Thanks for the offer I should be able to get it done. It gives me something to do lol.