How to Apply Metal Flake for a Custom Sparkling Paint Job

Metal flake paint is one of the most eye-catching finishes in custom automotive and art work — that deep, glittering sparkle that shifts in the light. But getting it right takes more than just dumping flake into clear coat. This guide covers everything from choosing your flake size to sealing for a smooth, durable finish.

What Is Metal Flake?

Metal flake (also called glitter flake or custom flake) consists of tiny metallic or holographic particles suspended in clear coat or binder. Unlike metallic paint, flake creates a chunky, dimensional sparkle effect. Key considerations:

  • Flake size: Micro flake (0.004") is subtle; large flake (0.062"+) is bold and dramatic .008 and .015 are the most common sizes used. 
  • Color: Silver and gold are classics; holographic and colored flakes add a modern twist
  • Base coat: Black bases make flake pop; white or silver bases give a lighter, brighter effect. use the base closest to the color of flake you're using to get coverage faster.

What You'll Need

  • Metal flake (your chosen size and color)
  • Clear coat or flake binder
  • HVLP spray gun with a larger tip (25mm recommended all-around flake)
  • Base coat in your chosen color
  • Wet/dry sandpaper (400–800 grit) for leveling between coats
  • Final clear coat for sealing

Mixing Flake Into Intecoat clear

The most common method is to mix flake directly into a compatible clear coat or dedicated flake binder:

  • Start with roughly 1 oz of flake per quart of clear as a baseline — adjust to taste
  • Stir gently to avoid breaking up the flake particles
  • Use a larger fluid tip on your spray gun to prevent clogging
  • Test on a panel first to check density and coverage

Application — Step by Step

  1. Apply your base coat and allow it to fully cure
  2. Mix flake into your Intercoat clear or binder at your chosen ratio
  3. Spray 2–3 medium-wet coats, allowing flash time between each
  4. While still slightly tacky, you can also hand-broadcast dry flake for extra density.
  5. once that has dried, spray 3 coats of a high solids clear to cover.
  6. When that has fully cured, scuff with a red scuff pad and repeat step 5 and let cure fully.
  7. Once cured, wet-sand with 400–600 grit to level the surface (flake edges can be sharp)
  8.  Add any artwork if desired and re-clear.. if not, skip step 7 and go directly to step 9.
  9. Finish with 800–3000 grit wet sanding and polish to a high gloss

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them

  • Clogged gun: Flake size too large for your tip — switch to a larger fluid tip or use finer flake
  • Uneven distribution: Flake settling in the cup — keep the gun moving and stir frequently
  • Rough final surface: Not enough clear coat over the flake — add more clear coats before final sanding
  • Flake looks dull: Base coat color may be too light or too dark — test on a panel before committing

Ready to Sparkle?

Shop our full selection of metal flake in a huge range of sizes and colors — from subtle micro flake to show-stopping large flake for any custom project.

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