paint in theory

[pinball god]

was buying some humbrol enamel paint and ask the guy on the counter a paint question he couldn't answer. How to make satin paint. Matt is matt, changing a matt to gloss I figure is paint matt and then paint over with a clear gloss. But satin???

Anyway a customer said he was a spray painter by trade and to mix a little talcum powder in the paint will do the job. Is this right or is he having a lend of me and after I use talcum powder I should use some vaselin on myself  

Are there any other tricks of the trade. I am finding I can't get the colours I need in the finish required. thanks

[Retropin]

Talcum powder = French chalk... very very finely ground chalk.
Havent heard of this but I can see why it would work as you are changing the surface of the paint from dead smooth ( gloss) to a rougher surface ( satin to matt)

[Marty Machine]

Try googling talcum powder and paint to see some answers.....

MM

[Strangeways]

When it comes to paint, I leave that to professionals. Take the item you want painted to a professional shop (not Bunnings etc) and ask them to match the color AND finish. They will select the right base and then tint accordingly. This is the only method I use. Initially, I felt stupid wheeling in pinball cabinets, but I have built a really good relationship with the place I have my paint matched, and they have been very helpful.

[flippnaussie]

If you are painting in 2pac I believe you can add extra fast hardner can remove some off the gloss from a finish.

The Talc makes sense, but chemically I'm not sure.

Simon.

[rustalan]

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/gloss-paint-satin-finish-171654.html
Hope this helps

[ktm450]

A paint shop dealing in auto paints will be able to you out, they mix in a little bit of satin into normal clear, then it is just applied as per normal clear.  I have painted a few coats of normal clear then last coat with the satin mix.

I had a similar problem when spraying the volley, the finish was too reflective, so had to dull it down
http://aussiepinball.com/index.php?topic=6311.0

[Jim Jam]

you can actually buy a flatterning base to add to gloss acrylic from any auto paint store

[pinball god]

Thanks for all the advise. I should have been clearer in the reason for my question. I was actually talking about touching up playfields, and in particular, touching up small areas where you'd be lucky to use a ml or two of paint. That's why I need to mix and match paint and try to fudge the finish as well. Not worth buying 500ml for some of the touch ups I need to do, and I need probably 6 colours to match, which could equate to 18 colours or so for mixing.