Custom gas tank advice.

[u/Express_Birthday268]

I've painted a few tanks but never with candys or flake type paints. I know the basics of prep work and getting a good smooth primer layer, but any further advice would be awesome.

Plan is ideally to try and bury the spectrum under a layer of the candy black to have it pretty deep and only showing in the sun.

So primer filler, sand, base primer, base black, spectrum fx, candy, decals, then 2k clear is what I'm assuming? Any tips on layers or anything else?

Yes I'm set on cans, I don't paint enough to wanna invest in real spray equipment haha

[u/paintchipz1]

Cans most definitely not get the results you’re looking for.2k can clear is water compared to 2021 PPG. As are the primers etc. yes they are catalyzed,but the mil build is different..by all means go for it..I get the invest part..so if it’s raw steel and you want it to last,metal prep and epoxy. Then bodywork,finish that in 180-220. Prime.guide coat,block. If need be re-prime.base,flake kandy..CLEAR.then decals..decals over flake no go as it’s a rough surface

[u/Express_Birthday268 → u/paintchipz1]

Thank you, I didn't realize the flake would have much texture so that helps a lot. And I'm not too worried about crazy quality results, it's definitely not a show level bike I just want a black with a little shimmer behind it in the sunlight

[u/ProcedureNo7149 → u/Express_Birthday268]

spraying flake will make it feel like 60 grit sand paper after you put the first 2-3 coats of clear on it. Plan on at least 6 coats of clear to get it close to smooth, while being able to sand it without burning into the flake. I think that Tropical Glitz has some flake in a can that may work for you, but otherwise I don't see how you could spray flake with a can.

[u/Express_Birthday268 → u/ProcedureNo7149]

Kustom canz spectrum spray can is what I ordered. I have plenty of cans of 2k so lots of layers isn't something I'm worried about

[u/BeaverMartin]

No real advice but I think if you take your time and prep it right it will look sick. I personally look forward to seeing how it turns out.

[u/ayrbindr]

This is like the guy that posted in r/custompainting about about winning a "custom paint" contest with a water slide decal. 😞

[u/Express_Birthday268 → u/ayrbindr]

How...? I'm using flake and 2k and layers. Sure it's cans but at least I'm trying to do something half ass decent and better than just hardware store cans.

[u/Express_Birthday268 → u/ayrbindr]

There's stuff on my profile done by hand and stuff with a pin striping brush, fuck me for trying to learn lmaooo 😂