Manx Club

I was reading somewhere on this forum a question about how much flake did it take to do their buggy and I just thought you guys might like to know that mine that is finished in gel coat took 1 kilo - but trust me it is more than worth it!

Monkiboy... What is that is US flake? Also did you use metal flake or poly flake? In Clear? Or in Gelcoat? Thanks in advance,

PICS??? -Jay

yeah, we need pics!

Is it original gel coat or a re gel coat. If it is a re-do please post anything you can since I plan to re gel mine someday. Please answer Dunebuggyarchive's questions plus. What size flakes, which products were used and the process. Please don't leave us hanging on this since I have been planning this for a long time. Did you use any product like Duratec ? Did you put down a backgroud color first? How much clear did you use and how much sanding? I have more questions, but this might be enough for now.

DBA 1 kilogram = 2.20462262 pound

Metalflake is epoxycoated aluminium,,,,Glowble is epoxy coated polyester,,, Glowble is brighter than Metalflake. For spray on (not in mould) prep n prime,,apply a base colour (2-3 coats) this should be similar to the colour of flake being used so that any areas missed with the flake will show a similar colour as opposed to showing the colour of the primer used. Mix 4-5 ounces of the flake with 1 US QT of reduced (1 part lacquer to 1 part thinner) clear Acrylic lacquer. Apply 3 or more coats depending on the degree of coverage required. With each coat, alternate the spraying direction. Put a couple of ball bearings in the cup and hand agitatethe gun to keep the flake in suspension within the laquer. Devilbiss No 043, 30 or 306 nozzle or equivalent to spray the flake,, gun pressure set at 25lbs. Allow 10 minutes drying time between coats and rub the surface lightly with your hand to flatten out any flakes which may be standing on end,,,,blow off any excess flake with an air gun.... Final finishing,,,,Apply sufficient clear Acrylic laquer (1 part laq to 1 part thinner) to allow you to sand the surface without exposing the flake ,,, 14 to 18 coats suggested Allow 10 minutes drying time between coats. After the final coat is sprayed, leave the job for 3 weeks to dry. After 3 weeks, sand until all the orange peel (crater-like finish) disappears. Be careful on edges n sharp curves and avoid exposing the flake. Then apply a further 2 coats of clear Acrylic (reduced as before) and allow to dry overnight. Wet sand with a fine grit paper and compound using a buffing wheel and wax. Or you can,,,,after the 3 week waiting for the 18 coats of laquer to harden,, sand until all the orange peel disappears,,, and apply 3 coats of catalysed Crysta-cryl clear,, or (for the wet-look finish) Polygloss clear,,,Allow 30 minutes drying time between the first two coats and 2-4 hours between the second and third coats. Do not compound, sand or wax,,,do not re-coat after 60 hours as this may cause Wrinkling n lifting. For gel-coating a mould you use approx 1lb of flake to 8lb of spray gel,,, this method is much faster and a lot easier,,,,, in fact i could get any novice guy to spray a buggy mould in flake gel with just 1 hours training to give excellent results,,,, it really is that easy,, but dont let on to anyone in England,, coz i tell em its hard work

Hey Mel, It sounds like you are talking about paint. I have my heart set on gel coat. I realize it will be labor intensive. :help:

I used to paint cars for a living back in the 70`s. I did a motorcycle tank in jade green flake for a friend once, and all can say is, I payed hell trying to get the remaining flake out of my spray gun. I did my usual cleaning, completely disassembled the gun, and still...a stray flake or 2 would find its way onto somebodys paintjob...usually on a white or light color, and in a place that the customer would always notice.

Hey Mel, if I provide room and board, would you bring your equipment over and paint my body? You can bring Dave with you, as your assistant, if you want.

[QUOTE="Reverb"]I used to paint cars for a living back in the 70`s. I did a motorcycle tank in jade green flake for a friend once, and all can say is, I payed hell trying to get the remaining flake out of my spray gun. I did my usual cleaning, completely disassembled the gun, and still...a stray flake or 2 would find its way onto somebodys paintjob...usually on a white or light color, and in a place that the customer would always notice. [/QUOTE] I know the feeling,, you almost need a gun for every flake colour

[QUOTE="Yellermanx"]Hey Mel, It sounds like you are talking about paint. I have my heart set on gel coat. I realize it will be labor intensive. :help:[/QUOTE] Labour intensive is a BIG understatement ,,,, it could be done i guess but it would take so so long to flat n polish,,i would NEVER even attempt it. It would be much quicker to restore you buggy shell (I come over to USA),take a mould off that tub n hood,,,,then spray the flake in the new mould and make a brand new shell,,,,,,, not including the resto job,, the job could be done in about 2 weeks. If you still want to do just the re gel job i guess you would have to sand the body with a real course grit paper,, then use a gel coat spray gun to spray the gel n flake evenly onto the body,,,,, then as soon as that is touch dry bury it in clear spray gel (using the gel gun) when your happy with the depth of clear, flat n polish,,,which would take a month of Sundays,,,,,,,even after all that work it could turn out misty. I have done many gel-coat repairs over the years and to get it right is one hell of a LOT of work,,, but to re-gel a buggy body? I wouldn't even go there Chuck

[QUOTE="allen pierce"]Hey Mel, if I provide room and board, would you bring your equipment over and paint my body? You can bring Dave with you, as your assistant, if you want.[/QUOTE] Shall we have a group buy?? lets all meet up for work at Mikes sky ranch

I'll just pack my shorts and sun lotion...I'm actually wearing my Pete's Camp T shirt today funny enough...

Wow - I just thought I would give out a bit of free info - I can not post pic's but if someone emails at monki772003@yahoo.co.uk then I will send them some pic's to post for me :help: or there are some pic's in that "manx clone/badge thread":D Also I thought people would like to know that my buggy was MOULDED in gel coat flake and the colour is CHARTRUSE and it looks amazing in the sun:D I will get back to you on the size.