I know this isn't exactly mechanics but I finished respraying my frame today (mustard yellow!!!) and was wire wooling it before the lacquer was to be applied and I'm really liking the matte finish that's left. Can I leave it as it is (2 primer coats, 3 paint) and it be okay? The back of the can says it's only necessary for metallic/pearlescent finishes. Or any tips on how to lacquer with a matte finish?

I don't know much about pait but you can't steel wool and leave it alone. the paint will be too porous and will be susceptable to rust. you may be able to put a matte clearcoat over it.

Bianchi had a black matte or satin finish bike in the late '80s and it was very acctractive.

Well the problem leaving the paint as it is is that it wont have U/V protection and the paint it self will start cracking after a year maybe less, thats what the clear coat does u know.

What u can do is to apply clear coat that is satin, or put a flatting/matter/satin effect to the clear if you are using car paint.

The last option but u have to try it is in a test 1st to see how it looks, to use regular car pain 2k clear coat and then sand it with 2000 grit sand paper to get the shine out, but if you are using rattlecan spray paint it is pretty bad idea to put car paint over it because probably the clear will melt.

When u say lacquer u meant car paint or are u talking about rattle can spray lacquer? Big difference between them. In england and other places they call polyurethane car paint lacquer, thats why i'm asking.

Hot rod Flatz is the right way to do it:
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=...M=IGRE#x0y1406
I've used it. It's highly toxic, but very durable.
You can also just apply a matte clearcoat.

Cheers for the advice guys! Yeh i'm using rattle cans to do it, I know it's not the best way but I thought I'd give it a go and its not turned out half bad. The lacquer is acrylic based as is both the paint and the primer (all the same brand). Whilst reading the label on the lacquer I noticed this: 'Use 1200 wet and dry paper to achieve a matte finish'. That'll teach me for jumping into things!

Btw, to sand the lacquer how long would you recommend to leave it before doing so? Its not so specific on the can and I know I have to wait 2 weeks for it to cure.

If it's real lacquer paint,it's dry before you can type "how long do I have to wait"!

I've been told that the flattening agents used to make flat and matte paint finishes can make them less durable than a gloss finish.

Rattle can?? like rustoleum rattle can spray?? I wouldn't use that but is your call. No idea about the dry, the issue with rattle can is that can be dry outside but inside u never know. The way the paint dries is the problem, it use air to dry, car paint is dried chemically, so u can get the paint hard and ready after 3 hours. So maybe it will work fine for a bench but for a bike is a risk because some parts dried right, other ones after months are still fresh to the touch u know.

Good luck