How to Apply Metal Flake Paint Finishes

Metal flake is an attractive finishing effect for cars. It is essentially a sort of glitter made from ground up, industrial-grade metals that can be mixed with a clear top coat and sprayed onto the vehicle. Although it may be tempting to use a cheap commercial glitter on your car, it is important that you splurge on flakes, since regular glitter will melt and damage your car's finish.

• 1

  Wash, sand and paint your car as necessary. Before starting on your finish, you should have a dry, smoothly painted complementary base coat of paint. Use basic color theory (and a color wheel) to help you choose the base coat color. Essentially, the glittery flakes will make your vehicle look a different color so choose with that in mind. For example, a blue base coat with red flakes will look purple under the sun.

• 2

  Buy your metal flake and a metal flake spray tip from a reputable vendor. Since flakes come in different grades there are a variety of tips you can use, so ask the vendor which one will work best with the flakes you are using.

• 3

  Mix flakes into a liquid clear coat. Use the guidelines that come with your flakes to add the appropriate amount. If you want more shine you can do a second coat but too much glitter can block the small holes in your air brush machine.

• 4

  Tape plastic to cover any section of the vehicle that shouldn't be painted.

• 5

  Put the glitter paint mixture in your air brush machine and apply a thin first layer.

• 6

  Wait for the first layer to dry until tacky then apply a second, thicker coat. Double check your vehicle to ensure that your application was even. If necessary, you can wait for this coat to dry until tacky and then paint another coat.

• 7

  Apply a clear coat or sealant over the dried, glittery paint coat. Before this step you may need to buff or sand smooth the flake paint if you purchase a low-quality brand. To avoid this hassle buy an extremely fine, high-quality brand.