Abstract: A universally applicable SiO.sub.2 -flatting agent is described, which consists of SiO.sub.2, 1 to 25% by weight polyol and optionally 1 to 25% by weight wax. The novel flatting agent is, even after lengthy storage, especially at pressure, still easily dispersible, does not lead to the formation of a hard sediment with non-thixotropic paints and lacquers, and has practically no negative effect on the thixotropic behaviour of paints and lacquers based on thixotropic polyamide-modified alkyd resins. The SiO.sub.2, polyol and wax can be brought together in a variety of ways, e.g. during the micronization of the SiO.sub.2 in a jet-mill or mechanical mill by adding polyol and wax at the same time, by spray-drying a suspension of SiO.sub.2 in an aqueous polyol solution or even before drying by adding polyol during washing or an earlier production step. It is also possible to spray-dry a suspension of SiO.sub.2, wax emulsion and polyol.