Color Shifting Paint

[Functional Artist]

Has anyone used or have any knowledge about color shifting paint?
...AKA "flippin' or Chameleon paint.

This stuff would be really fantastic on go karts, with all of the curves-n-all
…& it wouldn't take too much either

I've done a little research & from what I've learned (so far) to create this effect you basically just add these Pearl Pigment powders to clear paint. This mixture is then applied over a black (sometimes white, depending on the desired effect) base coat & then re-coated with another coat of the clear for additional gloss & protection.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vixen-Colo...m=301950374987&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rfs5OqxMu4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opl7HS37rqw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aVKNZWP_5I

 

[Tpdingo]

If it were me, I'd start with plastidip. Its easier to get your hands on, comes out smoother because I believe it likes to self smooth and if all else fails, just peel it off in the end. Wanted to try it but was just too expensive and not worth it. Also...I don't have a good place to paint.

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Well, a lot of headers are already color changing from the heat...

 

[Tpdingo]

Well, a lot of headers are already color changing from the heat...

So FA should just run his exhaust through the frame....

(free seat warmer)

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

YES!
Heated seats!
Although, on the downside, YA CAN'T TURN 'EM OFF!
That is NOT GOOD for Texas summers.
Hmm, cooled seats...

 

[Denny]

I've painted cars with a lot of different products but have never used the color changing paints for a whole car or kart for that matter. The color changing stuff to me does not have the depth or shine of candy or metallic. To me it is best suited to accent stripes. In all fairness I have not tried some of the modern stuff that is out.


Denny

 

[Tpdingo]

YES!
Heated seats!
Although, on the downside, YA CAN'T TURN 'EM OFF!
That is NOT GOOD for Texas summers.
Hmm, cooled seats...

He lives in Ohio, trust me, he will much prefer a heated seat 95% of the year!

 

[Functional Artist]

I've painted cars with a lot of different products but have never used the color changing paints for a whole car or kart for that matter. The color changing stuff to me does not have the depth or shine of candy or metallic. To me it is best suited to accent stripes. In all fairness I have not tried some of the modern stuff that is out.
Denny

Hey Denny,
Were gonna find out.
I've got a few karts in need of a nice paint job.
...so, I'ma gonna give some of it a try.

IMO that stuff should really "bling" with all of the curves & angles on karts.

---------- Post added at 06:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 AM ----------

So FA should just run his exhaust through the frame....

(free seat warmer)

Exhaust?
...we don't need no stinkin' exhaust.

 

[Tpdingo]

Hey Denny,
Were gonna find out.
I've got a few karts in need of a nice paint job.
...so, I'ma gonna give some of it a try.

IMO that stuff should really "bling" with all of the curves & angles on karts.

---------- Post added at 06:33 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 AM ----------



Exhaust?
...we don't need no stinkin' exhaust.

Fine, the air off your 480000W speed controllers!

Now ya happy?

 

[Denny]

May the force be with you! Remember light thin coats with proper flash time in between. Spray it like a pearl, plenty of overlap. It is a pearl.



Denny

 

[Joe-405]

The original color changing paint was mystichrome on mustangs and used real dollar bill ink and was extremely expensive. Like +$500 a quart expensive. Now they use something else and mostly known with PPG brand paints.

 

[Functional Artist]

Color Shifting Pearl Pigment

I ordered some (25g.) of Didspade Custom Paint Additives "Delta" (blue to purple) color shifting pearl pigment.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/302510178206

"ColorShift paint changes color at different angles and light.
•Sold in 25g
•5g sample testers also available on our eBay account
•Black base recommended
•75g per gallon suggested
Can be used in Car Paint, Plasti dip & liquid wrap coatings as well as many other clear paints"

The directions call for ~75g. per gallon (128 oz.) to be added to a clear binder so, that would reduce down to
...~19g. per qt. (32 oz.)
...~9g. per pint (16 oz.)
...or lets say ~5g. to a 1/2 pint (8 oz.)

Most karts don't have many flat areas just mostly bars
…& I don't want to mix up more than I need (once activated it only has ~4 hr. "pot life")

It's only supposed to take a couple of light coats of this color shift mixture, over a good black base.
...so, for this first try, I just mixed up an 8oz. batch.

This Speedokote Clear https://www.ebay.com/itm/Automotive...61007151792?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid
that I am using calls for a 3:1 ratio with the activator/hardener.

So, to get 8oz. of material @ a 3:1 ratio, I just combined 6oz. of the clear & 2oz. of the activator in a mixing cup & mixed well. (~3 min)

Then, I weighed & added ~5g. of the pearl pigment powder & mixed it in well (~3 min.)

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Damien is gonna look sick once you're all done with it.

 

[Functional Artist]

Here is what this Delta color shift pigment looks like, on a kart.
...with a gloss black base.

I tried to lay down a medium coat
...let it "flash" or dry/tack up for ~5 min.
…& then, layed down another medium coat.

I let that set up good, (~1/2 hour)
...while cleaning the color shift mixture out of the spray gun.

Then, I mixed up another 8oz. batch of "just" the clear
…& gave everything a couple of coats, as a protective "top coat"

 

[Tpdingo]

What the **** man, you come in here with this color shifting paint, get out your making us all look bad!

Haha just kidding, that paint looks gorgeous, can you paint my kart too?

 

[Denny]

To my eye that paint looks just dead to me. Not that good of a gloss and no depth. Kind of like a satin. Sorry.


Denny

 

[Functional Artist]

Hey Denny,

"Well, for not workin' with or using an actual spray gun for years
...then, using a new/unfamiliar spray gun (HVLP)
...with new & unfamiliar paint & materials

I think it turned out "pretty good"
...it kinda "flips"

I'd giv'er probably a 6 out of 10.

* There's a learning curve to this
...don't worry, I'll do better next time.

** If ya look closely, the clear is totally running/drippin' off of the bottom edge of the swing arm.
I think the tip in the spray gun was too big." (quote from the Damien thread)


"I'm learning as I go"
...maybe give me/us a demonstration on how it should look.

 

[Denny]

That is the thing to my eye it just does not look good. I did not say anything bad about your workmanship which is fine I might add. I just don't like the paint. Even if a pro did it I probably would not like it for a complete. With that said I have used it in stripes under 1/2" and smaller and loved the effect it gave the stripes. It is weird I have used the old Flip Flop in paint and loved the effect it gave, But they have not made that stuff in over 30 years.


Denny

 

[Functional Artist]

To my eye that paint looks just dead to me. Not that good of a gloss and no depth. Kind of like a satin. Sorry.
Denny

Hey Denny,

I wasn't offended.

I asked for a demo because I don't understand
...please explain or give more info on "paint looks just dead"

 

[Denny]

Pearl to my eye, absorb too much light. Therefore to me you can get a nice shine out of the clear but the pearl underneath just looks dirty to me. That is about the best explanation I can give. Metallic on the other hand the shine looks shiny all the way through. it seems to reflect more light. To my eye anyway.


Denny