How to apply automotive paint flakes?

This article explains how to use automotive paint flakes to create glitter paint.

On a wall, a designer coffee maker or the body of a vehicle, a paint is said to be glittery, when large particles reflect the light and sparkle.

There are different ways to paint glitter paint, with simple techniques or other techniques that require more work.

In 2023, the use of glitter is prohibited under the Micro Plastics Act. Stardust offers biodegradable solutions that meet European standards. Other flakes made from organic materials (aluminum, glass) are not affected by these restrictive standards.

♠ Solutions 1 and 3 use thick glitter (based on plastic or biodegradable materials): this gives very interesting effects, which only these large glitters are capable of producing, because they overlap on top of each other in all positions and play with the light by sparkling in all directions.

♣ Solution 2 uses flakes with the same diameter (200µm) but whose thickness is much thinner. This advantage, given by their glass-based composition, greatly facilitates application and varnishing.

1 - Tutorial for paint a METAL FLAKES painting

These large plastic sequins reflect light particularly well. We often see them on Harley Davidsons or biker helmets. These are the same glitters used for Christmas decorative objects for example. These glitters made of polyester or biodegradable cellulose measure between 0.05 and 0.6 mm wide and have a certain thickness. In September 2023, their use is governed by European regulations aimed at controlling pollution with microplastics.

The summary of the steps of the traditional application

Step 1► paint the background
Step 2► paint the metalflakes with a paint gun
Step 3► paint the colored* or colorless varnish

There is a dry application method with a flakebuster that can be used for small parts. We clearly recommend the traditional use of glitter, mixed in a varnish or binder and sprayed with a paint gun. This allows easy application, even on large surfaces and avoids the release of glitter into the environment.

*A well-known and very commonly used glitter painting technique involves applying a colored “Candy” varnish on top of the silver glitter. This creates a beautiful, bright, shimmering and very deep color.

The tools and consumables needed to paint Metalflakes :

• Paint gun with nozzle 1.4 mm or more
• Transparent binder
• Metal Flakes glitter
• Thick automotive clearcoat

Step 1► Paint the background colored or black

The first step is to choose a background color to establish the foundation for painting metalflakes. 3 options are possible:

Option 1 → use a black background: this gives maximum effect to the glitter, with an effect of depth. It is the best choice for the “Candy” technique.

Option 2 → use an aluminum background with metallic paint: when you use silver metalflakes, this creates a brighter and clearer effect.

Option 3 → use a colored background (example: red): when using colored metalflakes, then you can use a background of the same color.

It is never possible to cover the background completely, as is the case with very fine pigments, because the flakes are large and thick and are hexagonal in shape: they overlap, revealing gaps.

This background can be a primer or a paint. It must be sanded with a P400 grit abrasive before being covered with the glitter paint.

Step 2 ► Paint the Metalflakes with a paint gun

The Metalflakes :

StardustColors offers 4 sizes of glitter (50, 200, 400, 600µm) for the silver color and a single size (200µm) for the colored glitter. 200µm represents 0.2 mm. These glitters are sold in pots of 30g or 125g or per 1kg

This type of 200 micron flake can be sprayed with guns equipped with 1.4mm nozzles or larger.

The mixture :

It is possible to mix these glitters into almost any transparent product, such as HS transparent binder or varnish.

You should not mix (drown) the glitter in an opaque paint, because after application, only 10% of the glitter will still be visible on the surface.

The dosage is approximately 100-125g / Liter of ready-to-use products. It's not about creating a painting, but simply being able to spray and stick the glitter onto the surface and preventing the glitter from dispersing into the environment.

Metalflakes glitters are heavy and thick compared to aluminum or mother-of-pearl pigments: it is therefore important to stir them regularly so that they do not fall into the bottom of the mixing pot or into the bottom of the paint gun cup .

The yield :

You need approximately 60/80g per square meter for a surface completely covered with Metalflakes.

• Helmet → 30 à 60g
• Complete motorcycle → 250g
• Complete car → 1 à 1,5 kg

♣ The painter is free to apply one coat to give a light glitter effect or apply as many coats as necessary to completely cover.

Method of application

Set a high air pressure: 3 bars Remove the filter from the paint gun Adjust the width of the spray jet of the gun to the maximum Spray at a distance a little further from the surface (approximately 20-25cm) Apply successive layers and crossed, until the support is completely covered.

Classic or special color combinations

► Here are some examples of painting with metalflakes – simple method to cover with a clear varnish:

♦ red background + red metalflakes (bright and clear effect)

♦ black background + red metalflakes (deep effect)

♦ yellow background + golden metalflakes

♦ white background + transparent silver metalflakes A1110

► Here are some examples of painting with Metalflakes – simple method, to be covered with a colored “Candy” varnish, to obtain a red finish:

♦ black background + silver metalflakes + red Candy varnish (deep effect)

♦ black background + gold metalflakes + red Candy varnish (deep effect, warm color)

♦ black background + blue metalflakes + red Candy varnish (deep effect, subtle color)

♦ white background + transparent metalflakes A1110 + Candy red varnish (light effect)

► Here are some examples of painting with “COSMIC” metalflakes which are at the same time transparent, interfering and chameleonic.

♦ black background + Cosmic metalflakes (deep effect + color change)

♦ red background + Cosmic metalflakes (bright colors, and color change)

♦ White background + Cosmic metalflakes (white color with opalescent reflections)

Step 3► Paint colored or colorless varnish

After applying the flakes, we obtain a very grainy surface. Except for a decorative or temporary application, it is of course necessary to cover your glitter with a shiny varnish.

♣ It is not necessary and simply not possible to sand the glitter to varnish. The varnish will stick without any problem to this very irregular surface.

5 to 8 coats of varnish!
It is generally necessary to apply between 5 and 8 coats of varnish to be able to properly level and fill the glitter paint. This implies that it will be necessary to varnish at least 2 or 3 times, with the work spread over 2 or 3 days. It is not possible to apply all layers of varnish on the same day (risk of loss of shine, risk of micro-bubbling).

We therefore proceed in this way to varnish the glitter:
Day 1 → apply 3 coats of varnish
Day 2 → sand with a green abrasive sponge then apply 2 coats of varnish.
Day 3 → sand with a 500 abrasive sheet, then apply 2 strokes of varnish.

Tips and advice

⚠ Always allow sufficient time for solvents to evaporate between coats of varnish: between 7 and 10 minutes.

♣ It is possible to speed up this work by using a Wet Speed fast varnish capable of drying for one hour.

♣ It is possible to reduce the number of coats required by using a varnish with a very high solids content such as SUHS ST6000 ultra thick varnish

Candy varnish on glitter

Painting a colored and transparent varnish on metalflakes creates an extraordinary finish: to do this, we use a clear varnish, to which we add about 6% concentrated Candy ink. You must apply 3 coats to obtain an intense color and possibly 4 coats to obtain a dark and deep color.

♣ It is recommended to first apply the colored varnish (4 coats) and reserve the application of the clear varnish for the final step (2 coats).

2 - Tutorial for painting a “Diamond” glitter painting

The diamond glitter painting process is simple:

Step 1 ► apply the background
Step 2 ► mix the glitter into the binder
Step 3 ► apply the glitter with a paint gun
Step 4 ► varnish

This new type of glitter is much simpler to use: Diamond glitter provides a sparkling effect that is just as powerful and has similar sizes and diameters.

The big difference lies in their transparency, but also in their thickness, which is less than a tenth of the size of a hair while plastic glitter is thick and heavy.

Their transparency has a great advantage: they are almost invisible and do not distort the color of the background.

Appearance, effect and composition

This premium pigment comes in the form of an ultralight colorless or whitish mother-of-pearl powder. They do, however, produce bright colors when reflecting light.

These transparent flakes are called “Diamond glitter” because they are flakes produced from glass. They are completely resistant to UV and high temperatures up to several hundred degrees.

Sizes and colors

They exist in fine sizes (from 0.1mm) which are similar to large mother-of-pearl or larger sizes with grains 0.2mm and 0.5mm. All these flakes can be sprayed with a classic paint gun fitted with a 1.4 – 1.8 mm nozzle.

Existing colors are pinkish red, purple, green, blue, gold, transparent white*.

When white is applied to a black background, it takes on a silvery appearance.

Tool and consumables

To apply diamond glitter, it is possible to use a paint gun with a nozzle from 1.0 to 1.5mm. Diamond flakes are ideally mixed in binder or in small quantities in the finishing varnish.

Step 1 ► Apply background

For diamond glitter to be used correctly, you must start by painting the background. This background can be any paint, lacquer or primer.

We recommend a Matt base paint, for which it is possible to choose a colored version according to any shade from the RAL or PANTONE color chart.

It is important to have an opaque and simple paint. Diamond flakes cannot be applied to metallic paint or pearlescent paint: the two superimposed effects cancel each other out.

It is possible to create many color combinations by choosing the background color and the glitter color.

Diamond flakes are designated by color. This color will be visible when painting the glitter on a black background and/or when illuminating with direct light. The darker the background, the more visible the glitter.

On all other background colors, the glitter color will only be visible when exposed to direct light. In the shade, only the background color will be visible.

The diamond glitter does not change the background color, because it is transparent, unless several layers are applied.

When using diamond glitter on colored backgrounds, it is interesting to cross the colors, rather than superimposing identical colors (background + diamond), in order to create colors with an interfering colored reflection. For example :

• Red background → GOLD diamond
• Green background → Diamond GOLD
• Blue Background → Purple Diamond
• Yellow background → Green diamond

Step 2: Mixing, yield and dosage

To apply them to a surface, simply mix them in varnish (any) or in a transparent MS binder.

Diamant glitter is highly concentrated. Thus, 25g of transparent glitter has the same covering power as 200g of Metal Flakes glitter.

→ for a light effect: 5-10g / Liter in glossy clearcoat.

→ to completely cover the bottom: 25-40g / Liter in the binder.

Stir well before use.

Step 3 ► Applying diamond glitter

Version 1C

The mixture of diamond glitter paint with binder is applied in the same way as pearl or metallic paint, with thin or medium layers, repeated with an interval of 2 to 5 minutes, until obtaining the desired appearance.

Version 2C

When the diamond flakes have been mixed into varnish, you must follow the varnish application technique: in general, apply 2 coats with 10 minutes intervals. It is not recommended to apply more layers (risk of loss of shine, running, displacement of the pearls).

Step 4: Varnishing

This final step is not obligatory if you have already mixed the glitter into varnish.

However, it is necessary when the glitter has been applied in a one-component mixture. When drying, the paint film acquires a matte appearance and the glitter effect fades. The varnish enhances the sparkling effect and above all protects the paint against abrasion and bad weather.

Unlike Metalflakes glitter, diamond glitter is varnished very easily, in the classic way, with 2 coats of varnish.

3 - Tutorial for painting with “Cosmic” or holographic glitter

There are other types of glitter, most of which belong to the Metalflakes family. They are different, special and create special effects.

These glitters are applied in much the same way as other Metalflakes glitters. Here are some specific tips for these special colors:

► Metalflakes Cosmic glitter

Characteristics:

They are made of plastic or biodegradable material and give effects of colored reflections, sometimes multi-colored. They allow the background color to be preserved, by creating a colored reflection on the upper layer.

The size of these flakes is similar to Metalflakes (200µm). However, the thickness is half as thick (this means a smaller amount is needed for mixing and varnishing will require fewer coats).

These glitters are perfectly resistant to the sun.

Color combination:

→ black background: this is the recommended color to reveal the multicolored and original color of the glitter.

→ colored background: the glitter is transparent and allows you to maintain the background color by adding a multi-colored reflection depending on the viewing angle.

→ white background: to obtain a “shell” effect with multicolored reflections.

Do not apply on a metallic or pearly background.

Mixture

Depending on the desired coverage, mix between 30 and 80g per Liter of Binder. Mixing in the varnish is possible, for light dosages (dosage 30 – 50g max)

Varnishing

No sanding is necessary or possible before varnishing. Generally, 4 coats of varnish are enough to cover and level glitter paint perfectly. When it comes to a glitter polish, then only 2 coats are enough.

► Holographic glitter

They create rainbow-like reflections. They exist in many sizes, with the classic plastic or biodegradable material for large sizes and they also exist in ultrafine aluminum-based pigments. Most are opaque glitter. there is a transparent reference.

The size and thickness of these flakes is similar to Metalflakes (200µm).

For the silver version, there are finer sizes. There is also a transparent version.

These glitters are not completely sun proof, except for the silver color.

Color combination:

→ black background: this is the recommended color to reveal the rainbow color and maximum intensity of the glitter. The black background is still visible between the glitter and creates an effect of depth.

→ colored background: the glitter is not transparent, it is opaque. They can therefore be applied to a colored background without changing the background color, provided you apply a small quantity of glitter (1 or 2 layers).

→ white background: not recommended

→ holographic glitter can be applied perfectly to a metallic or pearly, aluminum or colored background. It is a perfect option for creating a light and vibrant color finish.

Mixture

Depending on the desired coverage, mix between 30 and 80g per Liter of Binder. Mixing in the varnish is possible, for light effects (dosage 30 – 50g max).

Varnishing

No sanding is necessary or possible before varnishing. Between 3 and 6 coats of varnish are needed to perfectly cover and level the glitter paint. When it comes to a glitter polish, then only 2 coats are enough.

4 – Tutorial for painting glitter paint on a wall

To do this, you can use any type of glitter presented earlier in the article. To paint walls in an interior, you must use a transparent base or a solvent-free and odorless varnish, into which you mix the glitter.

♣ It is not recommended to choose glitter with reflections (COSMIC, DIAMOND, HOLOGRAPHIC) if you do not have direct lighting in the room which will make the glitter react.

Glossy varnish increases the effect of glitter, while a matte or satin varnish reduces the shimmering effect of glitter. However, for an indoor wall surface, a glossy finish is not suitable, for this we recommend the use of a binder or a matt clearcoat

The mixture

For regular application and in light quantities, it is not recommended to load the binder with flakes, beyond 30 or 50g per liter.

Application

It is possible to use the paint roller. For professional applicators, it is possible to use an “Airless” gun with a liquid acrylic binder.

Varnishing

Applying glitter to a wall surface is done in a single step and no varnish is absolutely necessary unless you want to remove the texture or thickness effect created by the glitter.

How to apply car paint flakes?
Types of flakes for car paint