candy colours | The blog of Stardustcolors paints

20 July 202621 July 2026 stardustcolors Informations|News|Products

Techniques for modifying chameleon paints and mixing them with Candy inks

There are several ways to modify a chameleon to produce a colour variant, whilst retaining that fascinating iridescent colour-changing effect.
Before explaining the various options for using a chameleon to create new colours, we need to explain that there are essentially two main families of chameleon:

Classic-style chameleon paints, which are semi-opaque pearlescent particles. Like all pearlescent paints, they are not completely opaque; they consist of mother-of-pearl coated with iron oxide, which creates the appearance of a coloured powder that can be blue, red or copper-coloured.
Transparent-type chameleons: these are made from pearlescent particles that appear whitish but are, in fact, almost completely transparent. They consist of flat particles of synthetic mica coated with a thin layer of titanium oxide or silica. This allows light to pass through, revealing the underlying colour almost unchanged.

The first technique involves changing the background colour :
Usually, a chameleon paint must be applied over a black background to reveal the chameleon’s original colours. So try using different colours for the chameleon’s base coat and you’ll be able to see the variations compared to the standard application. The colours can be dark or light, and they must always be solid, opaque colours. Background shades can include bright red, navy blue, yellow, grey, or even a more complex colour.
The result will be much more varied with transparent-type paints, whilst opaque chameleon paints will reveal almost no change at all.

Mix Candy with a chameleon Stardust Colors

Second technique: add some Candy
Candy dyes are light-transmitting colourants that allow light to pass through, in contrast to opaque pigment dyes which block light. Candy dyes can be added to chameleon dyes to filter incoming and outgoing light and bring about a subtle or even radical change to the chameleon’s iridescent colour.
It should be noted that the more Candy ink you add, the more the colour change will fade. Candy should therefore be used sparingly.
You can choose a Candy shade similar to that of the chameleon to enhance the colour and intensity, or a contrasting shade to create effects of depth and more complex, subtle colours.

The third technique: mixing with other types of paint:
It is possible to mix chameleon paint with other particle-based paints, such as pearlescent or holographic paints, and even aluminium paints.

25 June 202625 June 2026 stardustcolors Creator and share|Informations|Products

How to achieve an ‘ice effect’ with the Stardustcolors crystalliser

StardustColors’ “Crystal Fx” crystalliser is well known for its effect on a metallic base.
However, as is always the case with custom paint, its application can be adapted to create a new effect.

Today, I’m going to show you how to create an ‘ice effect’.
As usual, I start by preparing my surface: sanding and degreasing.
Then I apply a primer.
The type of primer depends on the nature of the surface (plastic, metal, composite); there is a product suitable for each material.
Once my primer is dry and re-sanded, I can apply my base colour. I chose pure white, which I varnished within 30 minutes with our UHS car body varnish.

After 24 hours of drying, I sanded (energetically!) this varnish with P500 sandpaper to create a highly adhesive surface for the subsequent layers.
At this stage, it is important to take care not to miss any varnished areas, as the success of the effect depends on it.

Once my surface was perfectly sanded, I applied the crystalliser.
The piece is thoroughly wet, then shaken to remove any excess product, creating a uniform layer over the entire piece.

It is essential that this step be carried out at a moderate/warm temperature.
The crystalliser does not work below 20 degrees (it needs to be warm to achieve a good icing effect!).
The crystals form quickly, so leave the product to dry completely.

Once dry, I applied a coat of cyan blue (solvent-based paint required), trying not to overdo it.

Once my blue layer was completely solvent-free, I revealed the crystals using a non-abrasive sponge and a little clean water.
The white crystals stand out against the blue background.

Finally, to “bind” everything together, I chose to varnish with a varnish slightly loaded with Candy cyan ink.
And here is our finished ice effect!

Ps: multiple variations are possible, blue crystals on a white background, pearly white rather than opaque, no Candy ink in the top coat, etc. It’s up to you to create!

14 September 20237 July 2025 stardustcolors Products

Lime green crystallizer and candy – Custom paint on tank by @imbry

Crystal effect paint creates an effect of depth. This optical illusion effect is reinforced as soon as a colored transparent varnish is applied above. The Candy color varnish intensifies the relief impressions produced by the crystals.

The painter Sandro Cucuzza, alias @imbry shows us here an interesting demonstration of the Crystallizer effect :

Create two color zones using adhesive masks

With the Crystallizer, it is easy to create areas of crystals. The painter can freely choose to start with the crystallized background, or on the contrary to achieve the effect last.

In the custom painting highlighted in this article, the painter Sandro Cucuzza chose to use an area in chrome paint and an area in crystalized effect

It is particularly interesting to reinforce the trompe l’oeil effect, by creating a shadow which follows part of the masking, to give the impression of an opening in the tank.

It’s a simple and effective technique that can be done with a mini spray gun or an airbrush and a little black paint. To be successful, the shading must be very light and subtle without trying to be too blatant: the best technique is to spray a regular line freehand, targeted on the masking adhesive, rather than aiming directly at the limit between the masking and painting.

Candy colors on the crystal effect :

There are two possibilities when preparing a custom painting project with the Crystalizer :

Either choose a so-called dark color, such as blue, red, Chloro green, or even black !

Either choose a light color, such as yellow, orange or lime green.

In the first case, we obtain a discreet and barely visible effect, which is revealed when a ray of sunlight hits the bodywork,

In the second case, Candy gives a bright, intense and energetic color.

The undercoat for the Crystallizer

Any pearl or metallic color can be used, as long as it is reflective and clear. For example, we can use a pearly white color, or gold, or chameleon, or even chrome!

Likewise, the shading color can be chosen freely, but remember that its purpose is to cause maximum contrast with the background color !

To contact the painter, author of the creation :

Creator Sandro Cucuzza

Insta: @imbry

Facebook : @sandro.cucuzza.3

TikTok : @imbry68

17 May 201324 September 2021 stardustcolors Uncategorised

Chrome paint

We use only the highest quality raw materials when manufacturing this paint.

In comparison with chrome paints of competing brands, our chrome paint is by far superior, according to many users reviews:
-Pure mirror chrome aspect
-Very pleasant to work with, non harmful
-Instant dry
-Good concentration and coverage power
-Excellent adhesion

Chrome spray paint

We have developed the first chrome spray paint that creates real chrome look on all small size objects. The spray is equipped with a special nozzle and the paint is always used on a black, hard and glossy background.

How to make chrome paint ?

Adhesion

We cannot guarantee the perfect adhesion of the chrome paint as it is applied on a surface that is obligatorily not sanded.
However, chrome paint shows excellent adhesion.
Paint adhesion tests, including by tearing, shows adhesion strength up to 4MPa.

What NOT to do : Never polish, nor use polishing products such as PolyLustre, or a polisher for the undercoat, or the paint will peel.

Excellent resistance

Chrome paint, once it has been clear coated, is as resistant as any automotive paint.

-Resists to high temperatures up to 300°C.
-Not sensitive to UV sun rays.
-Can be sanded and re top coated to repair a scratch

Any type of substrates (plastic, polycarbonate, metal, aluminium, wood) can be used as a support for Chrome paint.

Coloured chrome paint

You can also combine chrome paint with our Candy paint colours to get coloured chrome mirror finish (as shown in the picture below). The effect is very simple to achieve.

After having applied the chrome paint and let it dry thoroughly, add a few drops of concentrated Candy paint to the clear coat, mix and apply directly on the chrome surface.

The result is always amazing.

Our chrome paint also exists in GOLD effect complete kit, that provides a very close imitation of gold mirror like surface, also designed for various types of substrates, for an unique shine.

Our chrome paint is proposed in different packings and is available immediately in stock.

FAST DELIVERY UK 48 hours.

Place your order at StardustColors UK