Crystal fx – Crystalizer Effect paint

Crystal FX special effect paint

Mix : Product ready to use. Do not thin. Shake well before use.

Product : Water-based. Respirator and protective gloves required.

Application guide:

To allow the best propagation of the crystals: we recommend applying a clearcoat on the metallic-pearl paint, then after drying, doing a light sanding with P500. Indeed, on a very smooth surface, the crystals will form better than on an unvarnished metallic base.

Yields

Crystalizer 0.5 L: 3 m²

Crystalizer 1 L: 6 m²

Complete kit 3.5 L: 4 m²

Complete aerosol kit: 2 m²

Mini complete aerosol kit: 0.6–1 m² max

1/ First, apply a solvent-based silver aluminium basecoat (see our Metallic Paints section). Let dry and scuff thoroughly with a Scotch-Brite pad.

Crystals grow much better on a smooth surface such as a clearcoat than on aluminium paint. We therefore recommend applying an automotive clearcoat, allowing it to dry thoroughly, and then sanding with P400 grit paper for the best results.

2/ Apply the Crystalizer, with the special hand sprayer (included).

The substrate must be completely covered with a thick and wet coat. Remove the excess by tilting the surface and immediately store your painted object in a hot room (minimum 30 °C). Crystal patterns will appear during evaporation.

3/ After complete drying and crystallisation: apply a thin layer of black paint, just enough to cover everything. Then, once it’s fully dry (about 5 min), wipe off very gently with a sponge to uncover and reveal the crystal effect.

⚠️Warning ! The black layer must be cleaned immediately. After 2 minutes, this layer of black becomes too hard and cleaning becomes difficult: the result is partial destruction of the crystals.

It is advisable to have prepared your bucket of water and sponge beforehand and to clean immediately after applying the black paint.

4/ Clearcoat within 20 minutes. We recommend the application of a Candy to tint the crystals and add more depth and texture!

(Find our Candy clearcoat in the CANDY section)

Apply 2 to 4 coats of Candy clearcoat

Question:

What is the waiting time between the crystal appearance phase and the black paint layer application phase? Should we wait 24 hours?

Answer:

You just have to wait until the crystallisation is complete. This can take 2 minutes at 35 °C or 15 minutes at 20 °C. It is not necessary to wait longer. It is possible to move on to the next step after 24 hours; however, the crystallised surface must be well protected from humidity by keeping the crystallised support in a perfectly dry environment, otherwise the crystals “melt”.

Coverage : 1 L / 5 m²

Advice on spray application

To avoid drips on the paint surface and to provide a uniform wet film:

Rinse the surface well with water and a Scotch-Brite sponge.

Do not apply to a hot surface.

Apply two or three consecutive thin passes rather than a single thick coat.

If you get drips or poorly crystallised paint, rinse with warm water and start over.

Do you need a complete Crystalizer kit for a car or motorcycle?

Here it is , in the complet kit category.

Additional advice:

Keep the liquid at room temperature : 10-25 °C

High humidity conditions can affect the paint and may cause crystallisation failure.

In low temperatures, the liquid may freeze quickly: just warm it up gently in a bain-marie.

Find the complete kit for car or motorcycle in the Complete kit section. 

COMPLETE KITS

(including Aluminium basecoat, Crystalizer, black paint for shading, and Candy topcoat):

For the Candy colour, the choice is free and must be specified during the order in the “comments box” or by email after order validation.

Complete kit 3.5 L: Includes 1 L BC1 Bright Aluminium, 50 ml hardener, 500 ml Crystalizer, 250 ml black paint, and 1.7 L Candy clearcoat + hardener (any colour) – approx. 2.5 m² max.

(See the Candy colour chart at the bottom of the page)

Spraycan complete kit: (For those who do not have any spray gun or compressor)

Includes: 3 × Aluminium paint spray cans 400 ml, 500 ml Crystalizer, Black paint spray can 400 ml, 3 × Candy 2K clearcoat spray cans 290 ml, 1 × P500 sanding sheet – max 2 m².

Find here our different complete CRYSTALIZER paint kits:
► Spray Scooter Kit
► Motorcycle Kit
► Bicycle Kit
► Car Kit

Painting a small object with the "Crystallizer" effect
Offer: Mini Aerosol Kit

Contains :

1 black matte basecoat spray can

1 BC1 Aluminium Basecoat spray can

1 ALUTC 1K clearcoat spray can

1 Crystalizer 500 ml

1 Candy Topcoat 2K spray can

summary instructions:
On the properly prepared surface:

Apply a coat of black, followed by several coats of aluminium paint, then varnish with ALUTC 1K clearcoat.

After drying, sand with P400.

Apply Crystalizer, let dry and crystallise.

Apply a thin layer of black. Clean up immediately.

After drying, varnish with several coats of Candy clearcoat.

 The colour chart PDF below can be downloaded in high definition at the bottom of the page.

When painting on unpainted or raw varnished wood, or any other raw substrate,

you need a black primer, to bring out the aluminium

The Candy clearcoat included in the kits is already a glossy and resistant finish.

Re-clearcoating is therefore optional.
It is possible to add more shine and depth to the finish by re-varnishing 24 hours later with a high-quality automotive topcoat.