How to get beautiful Candy® colors ?

Many have discovered the existence of the technique, or rather the Candy paint pictures, but without really knowing how it works exactly. 
Here we will introduce you a complete tutorial for Candy painting technique and give you some tips for achieving the most beautiful colors and mastering the realization of Candy paint variants.

All tastes and preferences are different, of course! And for this, the Candy Stardust technique and products offer a wide range of possibilities:
“Candy®” is a registered trademark of STARDUST. Since 2009, we have offered a wide choice of Candy, presented in our Candy color table. These shades are obtained by crossing or combining a particular undercoat with a Candy varnish

Summary tutorial to create a Candy painting

Step 1 ► apply the background (paint or primer – white or black)
Step 2 ► apply Candy undercoat (metallic or pearly)
Step 3 ► apply Candy color (transparent color 1C* or 2C)
Step 4 ► apply varnish (step necessary in some cases*)

Characteristics of Candy colors
The Candy color is obtained by superimposing layers. The color results from the application of Candy (transparent color) on a neutral and reflective color (pearl or metallic). The combination of the two gives a bright and deep color.
The color intensity depends on the number of layers of transparent color. We generally apply between 3 and 5 coats, to obtain an intense or dark Candy color. From 4 or 5 coats, the color becomes very dark.

The different products relating to the Candy painting technique

• Candy concentrated ink: this is an ultra concentrated additive which allows you to tint paints, varnishes and binders. This is a product which is the basis of all Candy painting techniques. There are different solvent-based versions, alcohol, or Hydro, available on the Stardust website.
• Candy undercoat: this is a paint based on aluminum pigments or mother-of-pearl pigments, particularly pure, and particularly reflective or sparkling.
• Candy varnish: it is a transparent varnish that has been colored with concentrated Candy ink. There are 1C or 2C varnishes. These are glossy finishes.
• The Candy or Candy 1C binder: this is a variant of the Candy varnish, in a Mate base version to be varnished. It is a single-component, transparent layer, colored with concentrated CANDY ink. This coat is not a finish and must be varnished.

Applying Candy paint: detailed tutorial

Step 1 ► apply the background

Whatever the type of support (vehicle, sculpture, furniture, bottles, etc.) that you want to paint in Candy, you must prepare it correctly. When working on a background that is already primed or ready to paint, then a simple coat of paint is sufficient.
The background color is important below the Candy undercoat, because Candy undercoats are always more or less semi-transparent: a consistent background color should establish the basis for the work.
*background color: we use a black background to optimize the effect of metallic paints. On the contrary, we use a white background mainly when we apply a pearly white paint. This is an exception, because we very rarely apply Candy paint over a pearly white undercoat.
→ use a black or white base paint
→ use a black or white primer or a black or white metal primer

Step 2 ► apply the Candy undercoat (metallic or pearlescent)

The undercoat influences the appearance and the final color: you can use a classic undercoat such as BC1 aluminum and you can choose more original and special undercoats ...

The Candy undercoat allows incoming light to reflect and reflect through the transparent and colored “CANDY” layer on the surface.
The most commonly used undercoats are pure aluminum-based paints. They are covering, easy to apply, and very effective. They form a metallic gray layer, and allow you to achieve magnificent deep and luminous Candy:
BC1: Medium aluminum 30-50µm
BC2: Large aluminum 50-80µm
BC60: high-end aluminum 10-25µm

Step 3 ► apply Candy color (transparent color 1C* or 2C)

Once the undercoat has been applied, it is time to move on to the transparent and colored layer: the “Candy”
This layer can consist of a varnish or a binder, to which 5 to 6% concentrated Candy ink (coloring additives) has been added.
2 options:
The difference in results between a varnish or an HS binder is really imperceptible, however there are advantages and disadvantages for each of these 2 options.
→ Candy varnish (2C) is a shiny and translucent finish. It is suitable for a motorcycle. It is limited to 3 coats, because it creates risks of running and loss of shine when applied in excess. → the Candy binder (1C) and a two-layer transparent paint: it is a varnish base, which dries very quickly and is applied in thin and unlimited layers.

The application of Candy
To obtain an intense color, the painter generally applies a minimum of 3 coats. It is possible to go up to 5 coats to obtain a dark and deep color. Beyond 6 layers, we obtain a black appearance.

Step 4 ► apply varnish

The clear finishing varnish is only essential in the case of Candy 1C. Applying new coats of varnish is, however, beneficial, because it provides more shine and more protection, both against abrasion and UV rays.
Candy colors are more fragile than classic colors, and it is advisable to protect them with an anti-UV varnish. This type of varnish does not guarantee total protection of transparent colors, but it helps preserve the colors.

Create a beautiful Candy paint with sumptuous colors

Here are some tips and a selection of the most beautiful undercoats to obtain exceptional and incomparable colors:

• BC60 : one of the thinnest (therefore covering) and brightest aluminum, a top-of-the-range choice
• BC24 : a very high quality dark mother-of-pearl, resembling graphite, which makes it possible to achieve dark colors more quickly
• BC71 : a very high quality gold pigment (based on aluminium), covering, brilliant and ultra-fine, allowing colors to be warmed up.
• BC11 : a blue mother-of-pearl that can be crossed with an opposite color (red for example) to obtain surprising and sublime shades
• BC5 : a large sparkling mother-of-pearl Diamond, to create iridescent Candy.

To make a beautiful Candy painting, it is important to choose the greatest possible contrast between the background (the undercoat for Candy) and the transparent Candy layer. The greater the gap, the deeper and more unexpected the shade will be.

How to make dark Candy paints ?

Whether we're talking about Blue, purple or Red, you can get a dark final Candy shade, by multiplying the layers of Candy (it's the easiest), but also by using a dark undercoat .

To achieve this dark background, it is possible to use a standard undercoat such as BC1, which is a clear and shiny paint to be applied on a black background.
The trick to darken this base is to do not apply BC1 until the background is covered, but stop halfway to let the black background appear.

Sun resistance – how to protect your Candy paint?
On the Concentrated Candy product pages, there is a PDF document that details the different resistance levels of transparent colors.
It is always important to protect the candy painted vehicle from the sun's rays. It is particularly important not to expose the vehicle to the sun unnecessarily and for long periods of time: parking your vehicle out of the sun when not in use helps keep the Candy colors as long as possible.
The quantity of varnish coats and the quality of the varnish is also an important protection factor for colors.
Painting professionals must correctly inform customers planning to carry out a Candy painting.

Can you apply a Candy on a chameleon, a fluorescent or a phosphorescent ?

Yes, it is possible. But does it give good results : to this question, the answer is no. Because the application of a transparent colored layer removes any color change effect on the chameleon and any luminous effect on the phosphorescent or fluorescent.
Other effects, such as chrome, thermochromic or glitter give on the other hand very interesting results.

How to make a deep red Candy paint ?
Candy paint primer
Candy paint in spray
Candy paint varnish