Carbon fibre reads as texture as much as colour, and a flat black kills that read stone dead. Real Colors' Carbon Fibre Grey keeps just enough warmth in the mix to suggest woven panels rather than a black hole, and it sprays smooth and even straight from the airbrush.

Best for

• Carbon-fibre panels on cars, bikes and aircraft
• Dark structural detail that needs depth, not flat black
• Base coats ready for a gloss clear and weave decals

Lay it down as a base under carbon-fibre decal sheets or panel-line washes and the depth does the rest — no need to fight a true black for contrast.

Airbrushes best thinned properly. AK's Real Colors High Compatibility Thinner keeps it self-levelling and stops it clogging mid-session.