Paint finish.

[jac04]

I just finished painting my Air Portable with flat desert tan synthetic enamel, and it looks great. The best thing about a flat paint job is that you can (and should) do it yourself. The flat paint makes everything look good, since it hides the flaws. I spent $100 on the HVLP paint gun and the paint is about $100 as well (2 gallons). It took me just over 1 gallon (thinned 4:1 with Xylene) to paint the vehicle + 5 wheels.

This hood is completely covered with dents, dings, and scratches, but it looks great in flat paint:


I'm amazed at how well the paint turned out:

[Blueboy]

Single stage gloss will start to oxidize soon enough.

yep-the large, flat panels one can somewhat keep up with, yet, the smaller surfaces like the vertical area between the wind flaps for me have really faded.

still, a non-clear coated paint has a great look.


Jaime

[greenmeanie]

Well satin it is. I've decided I don't like the glare I get off the shiny panels on my 88 in the AZ desert sun and I'm not into the black anti glare panel look. Ultimately I can add a clear coat for gloss if I really get the urge.

Unfortunately I had to get a paint shop to do this job as I live with an HOA and, while I get away with ****** regarding welding and fabrication etc., the reek off an etch prime on up paint job will push them too far. For many, many reasons I really need to move somewhere civilised.

[thixon]

Gregor,

Keep in mind the single stage right out of the gun is not gonna look really really glossy anyway. If they don't do any color sanding, and buffing, even better. Instead of steel wool or a scotch bright pad, you can dull it up with a buffer and compound if you hate how it looks. It'd take an afternoon to do if you really hated going the gloss route.

I was concerned about the same thing. I bought a single stage urethane. On the panels I've painted already, its not so glossy that I feel like I'm at a muscle car show.

Also, you could just never wash it!