chrome | The blog of Stardustcolors paints

5 March 201817 September 2021 stardustcolors Products

Chrome paint system – Industrial version

The StardustColors chrome effect paint is the best on the market : it produces a true mirror chrome effect.
The chrome paint effect is easy to apply using a spray gun over a gloss hard background.

The mirror layer is composed of aluminum flakes and is only a few micron in size once dry.
Yield: 4 to 5m²/L

For a quote and data sheet, contact us by email.

Different from the system on sale to the general public, the industrial chrome paint system provides an excellent level of adhesion between the coats (base/chrome/topcoat) and a shorter implementation time, for automatic paint lines The industrial system requires baking.

More details : Chrome paint

Chrome paint : what is it ?

This system consists of two products
CB7: For the undercoat and the topcoat
CHR : Chrome effect paint

The CB7 Base exists in 3 different kinds of packaging
1.65L Kit (1L CB7 + 150ml Hardener CCB7 + 500ml Thinner)
8.5L Kit (5L CB7 + 1L Hardener CCB7 + 2.5L Thinner)
33L Kit (20L CB7 + 3L Hardener CCB7 + 10L Thinner)

The chrome effect paint exists in 3 different kinds of packaging
– 1L
– 5L
– 21L

CB7 Topcoat

The CB7 Base will have a dual use: it will serve as a gloss and hard base to receive the chrome paint, and will also be used for the clear coat application.
This is a clear polyurethane topcoat that ensures adhesion with chrome paint without sanding. CB7 adheres directly to many plastics and metals.
Mixture: by weight, 100 parts of CB7 + 15 parts of Hardener CCB7 + 20-50 parts of Thinner
It is recommended to apply the CB7 Base over a black background for best results.
The CB7 Base is applied in 1 or 2 thin passes.
After 10 minutes of desolvation, proceed with baking
Recommended thickness: 25µm dry
Baking* of the CB7 Base:
1h at 100°C / 2-3h at 80°C / 3-5h at 60°C and minimum 3-7 days at room temperature > 20°C
*Ventilated baking
These recommendations are valid to get the best results.
Baking time can be shortened. Incomplete drying will produce a less perfect mirror effect.

Single-component ready-to-use product – Alcohol-based

The CB7 Base should be covered with the Chrome paint immediately after its temperature has dropped below 40°C
The chrome paint is applied in very thin repeated passes, until the surface is covered.

Allow a 20 seconds interval between each coat at 20°C
The chrome paint is immediately dry to the touch.
In order to facilitate the topcoat application without losing the mirror effect, it is recommended to bake the paint or use a flame treatment
5min at 100°C / 10min at 80°C / 20min at 60°C and minimum 48h at 20°C

Clear coat application is carried out with CB7, with prior very thin passes in order to fix the surface of the chrome paint without wetting it.
Then apply 1 or 2 passes

5 December 201324 September 2021 stardustcolors Uncategorised

Chrome Machine

A good alternative to the “sputtering” process and galvanization.

The Chrome Machine perfectly reproduces chrome look and other metallic colours: aluminium, stainless steel, copper, bras , gold, etc.

This is a unique machine with a system of spray guns and a complete professional portable equipment, in order to start your chrome paint immediately. It fits easily in small paint booths or in a large area of production.

The manufacturing quality guarantees a precise and perfect chrome paint job.
The machine is supplied with a full technical datasheet to enable you to realize your projects.

You will obtain the desired 100% “mirror effect”.

How does it work?
Pure silver plating is used, under a stream of distilled water. The chrome is then protected with a polyurethane topcoat.
Depending on the size of the paint booth, you can chrome as many pieces as you wish , and with a little practice you will able to chrome larger parts.
Note that the machines from competition allow you to chrome only small parts with good results.

Candy on Chrome:
By applying a Candy paint mixed with a clear coat on the chrome parts, you will obtain a “coloured chrome” for stunning special effects.

Some tips:
It is necessary to start with clean substrates such as a primer or a gel coat preparation, as any roughness or hole on the surface will be visible.
The list of substrates that can be worked with chrome paint is quite broad: plastic, metal, wood, polyurethane …
Please note that the Chrome paint will not erase defects, but, on the contrary, will reveal them: because chrome paint is highly reflective, it will highlight any imperfection.

It is best to avoid long exposure to UV (in a stationary position, during the day or the night) as a slight yellowing over time will appear.
Chrome that are slightly black and gold will not see their pigments change.

1 November 201324 September 2021 stardustcolors Uncategorised

Imitation Gold Paint

There are several types of Gold Paint:

– Classic car gold paint (with dye) (picture 1) Shines under a source of light (natural or artificial) and adds some luminosity to your painting projects

 - Pearl Gold paint (no added dye) (picture 2) Produces a bright and vivid colour and is easy to apply over any coloured basecoat and will add brilliance to your vehicle’s design

– Diamond Gold Paint (picture 3) Transparent – their gold effect is achieved by reflection of light. Made out of tiny pieces of glass that reflects the light and high temperature resistant

– Candy Paint (aluminum or pearl background) (pictures 4 and 5) More UV resistant, intense and fine quality dyes. Provides the highest quality finishes for designers, fabricators, artists, companies in the display, prototyping, motorcycle paint, etc.

– Real Gold Paint (picture 6)

Almost as fine as chrome paint – An exclusivity of Stardustcolors

Gold chrome paint effect finish that literally looks completely reflective (mirror), and that exactly duplicates chrome plating or colored chrome finishes. Chrome gold paint can coat any type of material: metal, wood, glass, plastic, stone, fiberglass, ceramic, previously painted surfaces, galvanized metal, brick, concrete, as long as this later is smooth and has been previously prepared (follow standard practices and procedures for properly preparing surfaces for the application and provide adequate ventilation)

This finish is achieved without toxic products. Perfect resistance to abrasion, chemical products, bad weather conditions and UV.

GOLD Effect

None of the above techniques can match the Candy on Chrome technique:

How to paint a Gold chrome paint ?

Simply apply our Candy paint Yellow Gold 21 clear coat over chrome paint that has dried for 96 hours

Pearl paints for airbrushes

StardustColors provides small quantities of different paints packaged in small bottles specially designed for airbrushing. The perfect fluidity of the paint and their special dilution allows you to work easily and comfortably.  Professional quality airbrush paint, suitable for model-making and tuning paint as well.