Maintaining Flat Black Paint - The Ford Focus Forum

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-11-2007, 04:37 PM

If painting a vehicle flat black, would the maintainence of that paint be the same as a basecoat-clearcoat paintjob?

I'm assuming not, but don't know for sure, and don't know what would be different about it.

Any help? Actual real-world experience preferred.

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-11-2007, 09:40 PM

Stumped ya all huh?

I'm just wondering if you would wash and wax as per norm, really.

**MidWestRacer** · 10-11-2007, 10:04 PM

A rattle can of flat black? If it looks bad touch it up.

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-12-2007, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MidWestRacer

A rattle can of flat black? If it looks bad touch it up.

c'mon, that's pretty obvious.

No, I want a good paintjob that happens to be flat black.

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-13-2007, 02:01 AM

All you smart FJers, and nothing for me huh?

**lowlifestyle** · 10-13-2007, 02:07 AM

They make satin clearcoat, that's how the ratrod guys get that "suede" look. As far as maintenance, I think the normal wash and wax is good but I would ask a body and paint guy. If it's rattlecan, just use good paint and keep it out of the sun as much as possible. A good quality outdoor paint with a nice wetsand should not need any real maintenance.

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-13-2007, 12:24 PM

Thanks Ryan. You're the man.

You just confirmed all my suspicions!

**Redlight** · 10-13-2007, 12:42 PM

I don't think you can wax a flat UNLESS it does have clearcoat....

Just wash as normal though.

dave.

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-13-2007, 01:14 PM

Well, I would want to do the satin clear, or a single stage flat with clear in it, so wax would be a given.

I'm just thinkin out loud at this point anyway.

**dafocaz** · 10-16-2007, 07:41 PM

For the Love of God, please post pics when or if you do get it painted. I've been wanted to do that for so long!

**EuroAyres** · 10-17-2007, 12:07 PM

There was a guy over on FF that painted his whole car flat black. I would try to search that. it was sometime early summer he did it.

**sleestak** · 10-17-2007, 02:25 PM

right here:http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...stealth+bomber

....I have been wanting to do this since I saw this post. esp with how chewed up cars get out here in the winter. They throw a ton of dirt and rocks on the road

**sleestak** · 10-17-2007, 02:30 PM

and apparently, this one is the OG (and a hatch):

http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...ight=River+Rat

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-18-2007, 07:00 PM

I'm familiar with the River Rat project.

Honestly, I'm not asking for my Focus, but for something else I have brewing...

**secondechomatt** · 10-19-2007, 08:58 AM

the sedan that was posted, is a two-stage, base, matte clear paint. It's fantastic! all of the look of primer black, with none of the after effect "worn" and "faded" looks.

I'm going to do some of my cf hood in that.

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-19-2007, 03:53 PM

The base-clear is what I'm expecting to do

**dafocaz** · 10-25-2007, 02:00 AM

NVM don't dig that flat black look anymore. At least not on the focus

**ScreamingYellowZX3** · 10-27-2007, 02:23 PM

If your going the base clear route, then yeah I would take care of it like a normal paint job. Good luck with your project.

**Fourhorseracing** · 10-29-2007, 09:48 AM

If you wanna flat black it check out Dupont, they make a Hot Hues color in Flat Black. However waxing it will give it more shine...just give it a good cleaning and a wipe with a shammy. If I can find pics of my old Focus i will post them, I did the primer can job, and it looked pretty good...i just gotta find the pics.

**CWCZX3** · 10-29-2007, 11:58 AM

You can not wax a flat finish car nor can you even wetsand or buff it. just wash and dry that is all. mine is over a year old using single stage tractor paint and is holding up great no fading or chaulking like primer will do.

**bigdaddyzx3** · 10-30-2007, 02:56 AM

Thanks dude! Car looks great by the way, and I'm diggin the wheels.

10-11-2007, 10:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
MidWestRacer Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: On two wheels in the twisties Posts: 2,380	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint A rattle can of flat black? If it looks bad touch it up. __________________ In the Saint Louis area? Into motorcycles? Keeping the Cafe racing tradition alive! WWW.gatewayrockers.com 2001 Triumph TT600-British twisty and track day machine 2007 Mazdaspeed3 GT- Yep,got some mods and no traction, until mid 3rd.

10-13-2007, 12:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
Redlight Your friendly neighborhood douche pickle Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: s a n a n t o n i o Posts: 8,560	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint I don't think you can wax a flat UNLESS it does have clearcoat.... Just wash as normal though. dave. __________________ This is my Focus. There are many like it but this one is mine. My Focus is my best friend, it is my life. I must master it as I master my life. Without me, my Focus is useless. Without my Focus, I am useless. I must race my Focus true. I must race faster than my enemy who is trying to beat me. I must beat him before he beats me. I will! Before God I swear this creed! So be it, until there is no enemy but, peace! Amen!

10-16-2007, 07:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
dafocaz Rookie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: el paso Posts: 13	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint For the Love of God, please post pics when or if you do get it painted. I've been wanted to do that for so long! __________________ *dave*

10-17-2007, 12:07 PM	#11 (permalink)
EuroAyres Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 1,701	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint There was a guy over on FF that painted his whole car flat black. I would try to search that. it was sometime early summer he did it. __________________ 03 Comp Orange SVTF

10-17-2007, 02:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
sleestak TEAM Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: high altitude Posts: 740	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint right here:http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...stealth+bomber ....I have been wanting to do this since I saw this post. esp with how chewed up cars get out here in the winter. They throw a ton of dirt and rocks on the road __________________ ..:: sleestak ::.. Keepin' the Rubber Side Down "Our mother of blessed accelleration, don't fail us now" -- Elwood Blues

10-17-2007, 02:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
sleestak TEAM Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: high altitude Posts: 740	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint and apparently, this one is the OG (and a hatch): http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/s...ight=River+Rat __________________ ..:: sleestak ::.. Keepin' the Rubber Side Down "Our mother of blessed accelleration, don't fail us now" -- Elwood Blues

10-19-2007, 08:58 AM	#15 (permalink)
secondechomatt [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Trenton, MI. Posts: 5,292	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint the sedan that was posted, is a two-stage, base, matte clear paint. It's fantastic! all of the look of primer black, with none of the after effect "worn" and "faded" looks. I'm going to do some of my cf hood in that. __________________ BRONCO BFG/RUST/WHITETRASH/TREEFAIL "The existence of flamethrowers is proof that someone, somewhere, said to himself, "I want to set those people over there on fire, but I don't feel like walking over there to do it."

10-25-2007, 02:00 AM	#17 (permalink)
dafocaz Rookie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: el paso Posts: 13	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint NVM don't dig that flat black look anymore. At least not on the focus __________________ *dave*

10-27-2007, 02:23 PM	#18 (permalink)
ScreamingYellowZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 598	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint If your going the base clear route, then yeah I would take care of it like a normal paint job. Good luck with your project. __________________ Mods: Steeda sts, FC sturt bar, FS CAI & exhaust, FRPP suspension, painted grille, tint, DIY black headlights, Custom fuel door, TD wheels, U.S. Euro tail lights, All windows one touch up and down w/ Ghia switchs. Custom F2 rear and smooth front. " I got a fever. And the only prescription... is more MODS....."

10-29-2007, 09:48 AM	#19 (permalink)
Fourhorseracing Rookie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: King George, VA Posts: 21	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint If you wanna flat black it check out Dupont, they make a Hot Hues color in Flat Black. However waxing it will give it more shine...just give it a good cleaning and a wipe with a shammy. If I can find pics of my old Focus i will post them, I did the primer can job, and it looked pretty good...i just gotta find the pics. __________________ 2003 SVT Foci - Motor is stock. Pulled off part of the exhaust and welded some pipe up. 35% tint up front, 5% the rest of the way back.

10-29-2007, 11:58 AM	#20 (permalink)
CWCZX3 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: York, PA Posts: 3,504	Re: Maintaining Flat Black Paint You can not wax a flat finish car nor can you even wetsand or buff it. just wash and dry that is all. mine is over a year old using single stage tractor paint and is holding up great no fading or chaulking like primer will do. __________________ 2000 Autumn Orange ZX3 "Beauty" 226hp 211tq Dyno Vid 13.977@100.65 June 06' Focus of the Month 2001 Flat Black ZX3 "Project River Rat"

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