Complete metallic or pearlescent paint kit for bikes – 37 colours to choose from

Hydro’s metallic or pearlescent bicycle paint kits contain all the products required for each stage of the process, from the base coat to the topcoat, in the professional, solvent-free HYDRO range**

New professional HYDRO formula – water-based pearlescent/metallic paint

Stardust has developed most of its special-effect paints in solvent-free versions: the complete metallic paint kit for bicycles consists of professional-quality water-based products, a water-based paint that complies with an environmental policy aimed at reducing solvent (VOC) emissions.

►The quality of the visual effect, UV resistance, durability, coverage and dry weight are exactly the same as those of solvent-based paints.

Above all, they are non-toxic and non-flammable.

♦ The drying time (evaporation) of the water-based versions is slightly slower than that of traditional solvent-based versions

What is a metallic or pearlescent paint? What is the difference?

This type of paint is one of the most widespread and well-known ‘effect paints’. They can be found on most motorbikes and cars today. They are made up of metal pigments (aluminium) or pearlescent pigments (synthetic mica). The former are greyish in colour and offer better coverage, whilst the latter come in a wider variety of colours, are less opaque and have a more subtle finish. In everyday language, the two terms are usually used interchangeably to describe these shimmering paints.

The pearlescent and metallic effect paints produced by STARDUST are significantly superior to the conventional metallic paints used by car and motorbike manufacturers: they are richer, more intense and have greater depth.

♣ Please note: the base colour is important, and it is essential to apply the paint over a specific base colour (black or white*), as the paint has greater transparency when it is more pearlescent and deep.

Application with a paint spray gun

Applying a metallic or pearlescent paint to a bicycle is not particularly difficult. The process is simple: a few very thin coats over a black base, and the colour comes through fully.

The BC80 Hi-CHROMA range: 

Fine, ultra-intense and deep pearlescent colours thanks to their transparency and ‘Candy’ formulation

The BC90H GHOST range: these are transparent, colourless pearlescent colours that display a coloured pearlescent sheen when illuminated by a direct light source. This ‘GHOST’ colour is interference-based, meaning it overlays and may differ from the base colour (of your choice*)

Details of the Hydro Metallic/Pearlescent kit (enough for a bike frame)

250 ml hydro black or white* base coat: (ready to use)

Metallic/pearlescent base coat 250 ml: (ready to use)

UHS mini clear coat kit 875 ml (contains 500 ml clear coat + 175 ml hardener + 150 ml thinner)

Preparing the bike frame before painting

Stripping off the old paint is not recommended at all: light sanding with P500 sandpaper is sufficient and necessary to ensure the paint adheres properly and lasts well. If the substrate is not in good condition, filler or a primer must be applied to smooth the surface. If the surface is untreated, a specific primer is required.

Special instructions for using Hydro metallic/pearlescent paint:

1 – Apply two thin coats of the black or white* base coat to the surface sanded with P400 sandpaper. Allow a 10-minute*** interval at a room temperature of 20°C between each coat of paint.

Spray gun 1.0–1.4 mm / 3 bar

2 – Apply Hydro metallic/pearlescent paint in a few very thin coats until the substrate is covered, and no more. Do not apply thick coats. Allow a 10-minute interval*** at an ambient temperature of 20°C between each coat.

Spray gun 1.0–1.4 mm / 3 bar

○ The paint can be thinned by 5 or 10 per cent using our S6 thinner

○ Hardening is possible using our H6 hardener (superior hardening and adhesion)

○ Clean tools with water

3 – Apply two coats of UHS varnish (mix ratio 100:30 + 5–15% dilution)**, with a 10-minute interval between coats at 20°C. Leave to dry for 24 hours

Hydro metallic/pearlescent paint can be clear-coated once it is ‘touch-dry’. This can take a minimum of 30 minutes at an ambient temperature of 20°C, and up to 24 hours. Beyond this, it is recommended to sand lightly with P500 grit before clear-coating. 

Clear-coat drying time: 24 hours before use.

*Depending on the pearlescent/metallic colour chosen, either a white or black base coat will be included in the kit to achieve the result shown in the product image.

**Only the paints are ‘water-based’. The varnishes are still two-component, solvent-based polyurethanes.

*** Allow for longer drying times in cold conditions. A second coat can be applied without sanding for up to 24 hours without any problems.