Flat black finish

[Turrican]

I want to do a Tele with a flat black finish. I know I can do sealer and flat black paint but what should I use for a clear coat? I still want a hard clear coat if it is possible to do without making it shiny. any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Aronkovacs]

Originally Posted by Turrican

I want to do a Tele with a flat black finish. I know I can do sealer and flat black paint but what should I use for a clear coat? I still want a hard clear coat if it is possible to do without making it shiny. any help would be appreciated. Thanks

I would say, just use satin laquer. Minwax has satin nitro laquer in home depots. I use minwax nitro exclusively.

[Shashing]

I painted the wheels on my car flat black then sprayed them with satin clear and it turned it into a semi-gloss. Personally I'd just lay the flat black on heavy, take your time and do a ton of light coats.

[SixShooter]

Another approach is to use a gloss lacquer and sand it, and then rub it with a Scotchbrite pad. This puts micro scratches into the finish which has a dulling effect. Go very easy with the Scotchbrite - it doesn't take much. I use the gray ones that are finer than the green ones.

[bingy]

You don't really want flat black... I think your best bet is a satin that you knock back.
A truly flat finish will not wear well.
Buffed wear marks and finger oil.
IMO

[jnepo1]

I did a guitar in flat black using Tru-Oil. I stained the wood placing several coats, then finished it off w/ 12 coats of Tru-oil. After 6 coats of Tru-oil, I sanded the finish w/ 0000 steel wool and then repeated it after the 9th coat. After the 12th coat, I used 1200 grit to eventually 1800 grit wet/dry sandpaper. Then I used rubbing coarse rubbing compound w/ a sponge buffing pad on a drill and then hand rubbed w/ a fine rubbing compound. Then a layer or 2 satin car polish.

No fingerprints unless you have greasy fingers.

[tnt423]

A trick that car guys use is to shoot very heavy layers of black primer then rub WD40 in it after it's completely dried and shrunk.
Has a killer flat glow and wont take any stains. Can't say as I would recommend this over wood unless it is completely sealed first with a heavy clear sealer. Paul Gilbert has been spraying WD40 on his necks for years.