Metal Flakes in concentrated pigment paste

Our "Metal Flakes" represent the top end of polyester hexagonal flakes thanks to their precise cutting.

Our Metal Flakes concentrated pastes are the only ones that can be used in solvent-based as well as with water-based products.

► Discover all the offers and instructions below

METAL-FLAKES are polluting microplastics that have been banned from sale since September 2023. STARDUST offers an alternative offer of pigment paste* METALFLAKES: Flakes are contained by a resin to prevent releases into the environment during use. the pigment paste is incorporated into a varnish or binder, which after application, permanently forms a dry, solid film, by polymerization with hardener.

Environmental precautions for use
Instructions accompany the METAL-FLAKES pigment paste supplied to the consumer or professionals for decoration or bodywork.
Microplastics make up the METAL-FLAKES pigment paste or METAL-FLAKES paint
it is imperative to avoid any release of cleaning residues from the gun / on the brushes / rollers into the sewers.
► cleaning the gun in a solvent system: paint in a paint booth. Recover the solvents and drop off at a waste disposal center / or hazardous waste recycling center
► cleaning the gun in the water version: filter the rinsing residue with a 125µm conical filter and put it with household waste.

Clean the areas carefully after use.

They are made from ultra-fine Polyester, coated with a layer of shiny metal, which makes them both ultra-resistant and ultra-shiny.
Weight of the offers to choose from: 60g - 250g - 1Kg
Average consumption of the concentrated pigment paste: 160g per m²
Dosage: approximately 200g per liter of binder or diluted varnish

>>> our classic silver Metal Flakes concentrated pastes are called 'High Bright Silver' in our list of references

They are available in 3 diameters: 0.2mm, 0.4mm, 0.6mm (+ 0.05mm for our ultra fine MICRO SILVER flakes) (Thickness: 12 to 25µm)

Applying glitter with a spray gun? Which one?

METAL FLAKES can be easily applied with a bodywork spray gun or with a flakebuster (dry)
1.4mm nozzle minimum for 200µm glitter, and 2.0-2.5mm nozzle for large 400µm or 600µm glitter. Discover our compatible ECO 1.4 mm spray gun.

The Spray Gun is a simple and effective way to apply glitter. Using the Flakebuster is absolutely not an obligation! With a traditional bodywork spray gun, simply increase the air pressure and firmly press the trigger.
The choice of spray gun and nozzle will depend on the size of the glitter.
In all cases, you will need to use a large nozzle size (from 1.4 to 2.5mm) to avoid obstruction by the glitter. Discover our large 1.8 mm spray gun

How to paint with a spray gun?
It is normal for the glitter to fall down from the mixing pot or bucket, by gravity: this is sedimentation.
When spray painting, avoid filling the bucket completely, and shake the gun in a circular motion to keep the contents moving. You should also avoid "painting like paint" with thin layers. On the contrary, apply in spurts, pressing firmly on the trigger of the gun, to avoid blocking the gun's ducts.

Metal Flakes in detail:
Purpose: They are usually used as an undercoat for a Candy. Their high thickness and shape mean that they are applied overlapping, which will allow them to sparkle in different directions after applying the colored varnish.
Discover the 8 colors of transparent and interfering Crystal pearls: these ultrafine particles can be mixed in any binder or varnish, in order to be applied on top of other colors to create colored and interfering pearly reflections visible only from certain viewing angles.

Use and mixing:
They can be incorporated into transparent binder (product available on our site, transparent binder for MetalFlakes) or into two-component varnish. Approximately 200g per Liter (and up to 300g/L)

Metal Flakes can be mixed with solvent-based binder or varnish, but also with easier-to-use acrylic products in the field of interior decoration, such as our translucent water-based varnish AQUACEL. This water-based varnish is solvent-free, it does not affect the shine of the glitter, and it can be re-varnished with a polyurethane

Varnish or binder?
The binder dries very quickly and is thinner. It becomes matte when dry. It must be varnished with a two-component varnish.
The varnish is thicker and dries more slowly.
It must not be filtered, neither with a conical paper filter, nor with a gun cup filter.
The background:
Metal flakes can also be sprayed on a black background (for a depth effect) or on top of an aluminum background (for a lighter final color)

Discover the 8 transparent and interfering Crystal pearl colors:
These ultrafine particles can be mixed in any binder and varnish, to be applied on top of other colors and create pearly, colorful, and interfering reflections, visible only from certain viewing angles.

How to make White Metal Flakes?

We first use a white background (paint or primer). Non-metallic Metal Flakes concentrated pastes, such as A1100 White (glossy) and A1200 Pure White (matte), can be used in the field of decoration and must not be revarnished.

In bodywork, two types of white Metal Flakes can be suitable: the grade "Shiny Silver" and Diamond White X 100 or 200.

They are transparent and slightly metallic which allows you to keep the white background and give a glittery effect.

Add a “Candy” to the Metal Flakes:

Often we apply a candy color (transparent colored varnish) on top of the silver glitter (or other colors). This allows the glitter to be colored and a magnificent visual effect of depth is obtained.

Questions and answers :

Q: I want to make my scooter in purple glitter. What do I need? my scooter is currently painted white. and also, do I have to mix glitter in varnish ??

A: To make a Flakes metal painting, you need 3 steps, a background, glitter and varnish.
For the background, white is not suitable. The best result of returning the light by the glitter is obtained on a black background.

1> For the base, use black, either a matte base or a finishing primer

2> For glitter, and especially if you want to completely cover the bottom with flakes, then it is better to use the transparent binder than varnish, to apply them (no risk of sagging and fast drying!)

3> Then varnish with thick body varnish, such as ST6000, allow to dry, sand lightly with abrasive sponge and re-varnish ...

Q: I want a nice purple color for my glitter? must I take purple metal flakes?

R: Yes. However one can also use silver metal flakes. Then varnish them with a purple candy varnish. this will result in creating a deep and bright color, it's more interesting.
Note: we can use the varnish candy on glitter Metal Flakes colored example on green, golden .... The result is always deep and deep hue.

Question: How many coats of clearcoat are needed to properly fill and level a METALFLAKES paint job? Which clearcoat should I use?

Answer: About 6-7 coats of clearcoat. ST6000 is a Super UHS clearcoat, it is the thickest sprayable clearcoat and provides good coverage in 4 coats

Q: What background color should I use behind a "Metal Flakes" glitter?

A: For a deep and reflective effect, to bring out the glitter as much as possible, use a black background.
For a clearer effect, and to avoid the presence of black between the glitter, we can use:
- an aluminum paint
- an opaque paint in the color of the glitter, or better:
- a pearl paint or metallic paint in the color of the glitter