Polly Scale Flat Q

Always thin (or reduce) a paint for spraying unless it is one of the "pre-thinned" varieties.

Your problem could be caused by undispersed flat pigment (flat finishes are produced by a pigment), surface contamination (a small dust particle can create a local electrostatic charge concentration that will attract the flat pigment or the binder), or contamination of the thinned paint. This latter would be due to an incompletely cleaned air brush or use of tap water as your reducing solvent.

I suspect the cause is the first possibility. Flat pigments tend to clump during storage. Clear flats should be stirred very thoroughly (five minutes by hand, minimum; less with a powered stirring device). Never shake small bottles of any paint to mix it. They are not large enough for that to work efficiently—always stir.

Reducing (thinning) a paint also helps to insure adequate dispersion of pigment. A rule of thumb is to thin to the consistency of 2% milk. For clear coats, erring on the side of more thinner is better than too little.

Thanks Ross,I stirred it prior to putting it in to the paint cup, it's a brand new bottle, and yes there was a thick layer of the stuff in the bottom, I thought I'd stirred it enough, maybe not !

Bill.

PS Flat had been giving me fits. I finally decided to just thin it to a ridiculous amount as a last resort before tossing it. I picked up some small plastic containers with snap-on lids, about the size of a paint bottle. I mixed it in one of those containers at about a 10:1 ratio with water- and it works perfect. The white flecks are gone, and it is really controllable. And I just snap the lid on when I'm done- ready to go for next time.

Give some super thinning a shot- it worked well for me!

I was able to get it flat flat. It took a while to build it up. ("A while" being maybe 10 minutes tops.)

What I liked was the control it gave me. The biggest thing for me has been the absense of the "snow". I don't mind taking a little longer to put down a few more coats. It dries instantly for the most part, just from the air flow. And I mist it on really light, making sure to avoid the frosties.

It's probably overkill getting it that runny.... but I just about ruined a couple of birds that were supposed to be OD and darn near ended up looking like they had winter camo. I'm sticking with this for now!

jwb wrote:

I was able to get it flat flat. It took a while to build it up. ("A while" being maybe 10 minutes tops.) What I liked was the control it gave me. The biggest thing for me has been the absense of the "snow". I don't mind taking a little longer to put down a few more coats. It dries instantly for the most part, just from the air flow. And I mist it on really light, making sure to avoid the frosties. It's probably overkill getting it that runny.... but I just about ruined a couple of birds that were supposed to be OD and darn near ended up looking like they had winter camo. I'm sticking with this for now!

"If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong hobby."

Jon's technique, from a technical viewpoint, is the best technique, and there is nothing technically wrong with it. It is simple. There are no potential side effects, and it works. 

(Hmmm…four "technicals" in one sentence…not a good writing technique……)

Technically yours, 

Triarius wrote:

"If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong hobby." Jon's technique, from a technical viewpoint, is the best technique, and there is nothing technically wrong with it. It is simple. There are no potential side effects, and it works.  (Hmmm…four "technicals" in one sentence…not a good writing technique……) Technically yours,

I agree..... technically.

I would be technically wrong to argue with what I've read here.

I've been using the 15% distilled water thinning ratio, with mixed results, so I'm going to give this a try. Thanks guys!