PRISMATIC SPECTRUM - 10 OR 12 MICRONS

DESCRIPTION: Among the range of holographic paints produced by Stardust, the Spectrum is the finest product. It provides a spectacular holographic effect, which seems liquid, with a great transparency.

Spectrum Holographic Paints : Prismatic effect liquid solution 

The particles contained in the paint are microscopic: 12 microns for the Spectrum, and less than 10 microns for the new Spectrum H1, which has now become the finest holographic paint in the world.

Microns *: thousandth of a millimeter. 1 mm = 1000 microns.

What is "holographic paint"?
It’s a semi-transparent paint, grey in appearance, which produces coloured light reflections on the painted surface. Like a prism, the light is defragmented by the paint, and these iridescent colour reflections appear in a precise order (the rainbow colours) depending on the angle of view and the painted surface curves.

This very fine and very liquid holographic paint is magnificent and spectacular, and a challenge to apply:

This paint requires a good knowledge of spray painting and of the application of lacquers and topcoats.

SPECTRUM paints: specifications on the aspects

♦The SPECTRUM 10µm and 12µm show classic colored reflections for holographic effects.
♦The SPECTRUM H10 creates different colors, with a "pastel" tendency with for example pink, turquoise colors, which are not usually seen in the prismatic "rainbow" effects.

ARCO IRIS ultrafine prismatic paint

there is a solvent-based paint, producing an ultra-fine holographic effect available in 2 sizes (20µm and 35µm)
and which allows a simple and classic application, it is the Arco Iris paint
This paint is extremely fine, and its pigments are 2 times finer than classic automotive pearls

The success of the effect relies especially on:

• the particular quality of the basecoat.

• the application method using very fine passes

• the topcoat application method

  All of this is explained below in detail.

SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION:

- Black or topcoated hard background (2K). Drying, and sanding with 4000 grit. Spectrum application by fine passes. 24hrs drying. Topcoat application with preventive blocking of the surface beforehand

APPEARANCE: Under a light source, it provides an impressive rainbow finish, without modifying the background colour (except for the black backgrounds and if less than two coats are applied), as it’s semi transparent. Therefore, it is possible to use any background colour.

Over a black background, the effect is maximized. After a few passes, the black colour is hidden and is replaced by a very fine silver finish.

DESTINATION: For all uses.

MIXING : The product is Ready For Use.

COMPOSITION: 1 component solvent paint

APPLICATION: Spray gun.

RESISTANCE: Excellent resistance to UV and high temperatures.

COMPOSITION: Solvent-based paint

YIELD: 1L / 4-6m² in 3 fine passes - Spraycan 0.3 / 0.6 sqm ² depending on coverage

VOC : <86%

APPLICATION GUIDE:

1. THE BACKGROUND:

Use a black background, preferably a hardened, two-component polyurethane type:

It can be a 2K paint or a topcoat,
Allow through-drying.

Our undercoats:

• Polyurethan 2K paint : high hardness and gloss, accelerated drying without baking

• Wet Speed Topcoat  high hardness and gloss, accelerated drying without baking

• CelCover Topcoat: fast drying, recommended for application without sanding.

• Acrylic black paint or WUHS Topcoat : fast drying, good adhesion, ideal for indoor use, odourless. Concerning this method of application with an undercoat and a hydro acrylic varnish, we invite you to discover the process and the advantages, below at the bottom of the page. 

2. PREPARATION : you can choose the application –

• directly on the gloss background*, to achieve the effect with the maximum intensity, or

• on the gloss background that has been lightly with 4000 grit: use our Mirka abrasive disc, the holographic effect is reduced by 30%
  

  *Adhesion is lower on a gloss background. You can flame (with a gas flame) the gloss surface using two quick passes: it will provide a superior adhesion.

3. SPECTRUM:
Shake well. Use a fine nozzle spray gun <1.4mm Set a medium pressure (2.5 bars) and apply very fine passes, every minute, until the desired effect is achieved.

4. CLEAR COAT:
Without topcoat, the Spectrum develops good resistance, but can remain vulnerable to scratches or hydrocarbons, especially in the case of bodywork.

It can be topcoated with all types of clear coats, provided that the drying times and a simple application technique are strictly adhered to, because otherwise, the Spectrum will be soaked and you will lose all the effect.

Let the Spectrum to dry for a minimum of 24 hours at 20 °C.

Apply the topcoat in 4 ultra dry passes first*, every 2 minutes, to fix it. Then apply the topcoat normally

*It is important to understand this concept of ultra dry layer: it involves taking a little distance with the paint gun, and spraying 1% varnish + 99% air. The goal is not to soak the holographic surface and the position of the pigments of the Spectrum paint which is very fragile

StardustColors produces other holographic paints, which are particularly easy to apply:
- Arco Iris Paint, (20 or 35µm ultra fine grain, very similar to Spectrum)
- Rainbow Spektra Paint (fine grain 68µm or glitter 200µm) - exists in decorative acrylic water-based version on request, for interior/exterior walls.

Fast application process, with Hydro acrylic system

we offer WUHS aliphatic acrylic varnish, which is a glossy, solvent-free one-component varnish.

This varnish allows application with the Spectrum, and drying times considerably reduced.

Above all, the use of this three-layer acrylic system avoids all risks of loss of the holographic effect and facilitates varnishing.

WUSH varnish and applied with Spectrum, as an undercoat and as a protective varnish.

With this type of varnish it is possible to reduce drying times by up to just one hour per step, at room temperature.

1- apply the background color (black, gray, white, etc.)

2 - apply WUSH varnish with a glossy coat

3 - drying for one hour at 20°

4 - apply Spectrum paint

5 - drying for one hour at 20°

6 - apply WUHS varnish with 2 glossy coats, in the classic way

Question: We have to put it on dry gloss black. Should we then wipe it with an abrasive sponge before painting the spectrum in order to make an eye-catcher or should we paint directly on the black?

Answer: Spectrum H1 gives better visual results on a glossy background* and hardened for at least 2 days

Otherwise, with the same hardening, or after a quick topcoat, you can sand with P3000
to have a little more grip. the effect decreases by 30%.

If you sand with 2000 (it's the biggest you can sand), the holographic effect is reduced to 50%

*To promote the grip on a shiny background, it is possible to flame.

Find here our different complete HOLOGRAPHIC paint kits:
► Motorcycle Kit
► Bicycle Kit
► Car Kit