FAQ

SuperShift Pearls produce the most intense color vibrancy and dynamic shifting effects. SuperShifts are made from the highest grade material, these pearls produce a range of 4-6 shifting colors tones.

The effects are most prominant on curved surfaces and at varying angles of view and lighting conditions.

For best results, use a three stage process. Apply base, apply pearl coats and finish with top coat clear. Please read below for specific instructions pertaining to each stage.

BASE

To create the most contrast and dynamic shifting effect we recommend using a black base (Jet Black is the most common).

White Particle SuperShifts can be used over bases other than black, please review the photo and video references for examples (located in the product’s description).


Click the link to shop our Basecoats.

PEARL

We recommend mixing Pearls into Intercoat Clear to acheive the best result. However, Clear Binder or Base Clear can be used also. Do not mix shifting pearls into top coat clear.

Intercoat / Binder / Base Clear generally need to be thinned with Reducer to create ready to spray material. Follow the coating manufactuer's recommendation to determine how much reducer is required.

Example: if your intercoat calls for 1:1 ratio of intercoat to reducer, mix 2 quarts (64oz) of intercoat and 2 quarts (64oz) of reducer to make one ready to spray (sprayable) gallon (128oz).

In small increments, mix the recommended ratio of pearls into ready to spray material until properly dispersed. See ratios below.

• 25g to 1 gallon sprayable
• 5g to 26oz sprayable
• 1g to 5oz sprayable

Apply pearl coats over the base until you reach the desired amount of coverage. Best practice for spraying a full vehicle; walk the full length of the vehicle instead of spraying panel by panel to avoid overlapping coverage build up. Most of our pearls reach full coverage in approximately 3-4 coats. Underapplying shifting pearls will result in a darker effect. Overapplying shifting pearls can diminish color vibrancy and shifting effect. We recommend spraying a test panel or color card prior to application to dial in spray settings and coats. In this crucial step take note of gun angle & pressure, distance, overlap and spray technique.

For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

TOP COAT CLEAR

Finish with a UV protected clear coat (typically 2-3 coats). For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

Click the link to shop our Clears.

ColorShift Pearls are color changing pearlescent pigments that produce a range of 2-4 shifting colors tones.

The effects are most prominant on curved surfaces and at varying angles of view and lighting conditions.

For best results, use a three stage process. Apply base, apply pearl coats and finish with top coat clear. Please read below for specific instructions pertaining to each stage.

BASE

To create the most contrast and dynamic shifting effect we recommend using a black base (Jet Black is the most common).

White Particle ColorShifts can be used over black or white bases, please review the video references for examples (located in the product’s description).
 To create a unique effect, you can use the White Particle ColorShifts over any color base. Results will vary, so we always recommend spraying a test first.

Click the link to shop our Basecoats.

PEARL

We recommend mixing Pearls into Intercoat Clear to acheive the best result. However, Clear Binder or Base Clear can be used also. Do not mix shifting pearls into top coat clear.

Intercoat / Binder / Base Clear generally need to be thinned with Reducer to create ready to spray material. Follow the coating manufactuer's recommendation to determine how much reducer is required.

Example: if your intercoat calls for 1:1 ratio of intercoat to reducer, mix 2 quarts (64oz) of intercoat and 2 quarts (64oz) of reducer to make one ready to spray (sprayable) gallon (128oz).

In small increments, mix the recommended ratio of pearls into ready to spray material until properly dispersed. See ratios below.

Apply pearl coats over the base until you reach the desired amount of coverage. Best practice for spraying a full vehicle; walk the full length of the vehicle instead of spraying panel by panel to avoid overlapping coverage build up. Most of our pearls reach full coverage in approximately 2-3 coats. Underapplying shifting pearls will result in a darker effect. Overapplying shifting pearls can diminish color vibrancy and shifting effect. With White Particle ColorShifts, overapplying can cause a whiting out effect where the colors dull and the overall appearance is milky. We recommend spraying a test panel or color card prior to application to dial in spray settings and coats. In this crucial step take note of gun angle & pressure, distance, overlap and spray technique.

For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

TOP COAT CLEAR

Finish with a UV protected clear coat (typically 2-3 coats). For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

Click the link to shop our Clears.

Solid Pearls are primarily single colored pearlescent pigments that are semi translucent. They range in particle sizes from very fine (5-25um) to large sparkling metallic (50-700um).

Element Pearls are metallic opaque aluminum based pigments. They range in particle size from fine (10-50um) to medium metallic (55-75um).

For best results, use a three stage process. Apply base, apply pearl coats and finish with top coat clear. Please read below for specific instructions pertaining to each stage.

BASE

Choose a base color that compliments or enhances the pearl’s final appearance. Click the link to shop our Basecoats.

All base recommendations are listed in the product description of each pearl.

We suggest using white, light or bright colored pearls over a color-matching base.

For example: use a white pearl over a white base. Use lighter pastel colors (light blues, greens or purples) or brighter colors (yellows, golds, oranges, lime, pink) over a color-matching base. For darker colored pearls we suggest using a black base (gray, dark blue or green, red, black).

Pearls that can be used over a color matching or a black base (red, blue, teal, copper) have photo references for examples.

All Element Pearls are shown over a black base. Element Pearls are made of aluminum and are not translucent like solid pearls. Color matching bases can also be used for Element Pearls.

PEARL

We recommend mixing Pearls into Intercoat Clear to acheive the best result. However, Clear Binder or Base Clear can be used also. Do not mix shifting pearls into top coat clear.

Intercoat / Binder / Base Clear generally need to be thinned with Reducer to create ready to spray material. Follow the coating manufactuer's recommendation to determine how much reducer is required.

Example: if your intercoat calls for 1:1 ratio of intercoat to reducer, mix 2 quarts (64oz) of intercoat and 2 quarts (64oz) of reducer to make one ready to spray (sprayable) gallon (128oz).

In small increments, mix the recommended ratio of pearls into ready to spray material until properly dispersed. See ratios below.

• 50g to 1 gallon sprayable
• 5g to 9oz sprayable

Apply pearl coats over the base until you reach the desired amount of coverage. Best practice for spraying a full vehicle; walk the full length of the vehicle instead of spraying panel by panel to avoid overlapping coverage build up. Most of our pearls reach full coverage in approximately 3-4 coats.

We recommend spraying a test panel or color card prior to application to dial in spray settings and coats. In this crucial step take note of gun angle & pressure, distance, overlap and spray technique.

For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

TOP COAT CLEAR

Finish with a UV protected clear coat (typically 2-3 coats). For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

Click the link to shop our Clears.

Holographic Pearl is a silver pigment that creates a vibrant rainbow effect when in direct light.

For best results, use a three stage process. Apply base, apply pearl coats and finish with top coat clear. Please read below for specific instructions pertaining to each stage.

BASE

We recommend using a Jet Black, Silver/Light Gray or a Gunmetal Gray base for the Holographic Pearl. Please read below to determine which basecoat suits the effect you would like to create.

• Jet Black Base - Creates the most dynamic and vibrant holographic effect.
• Silver/Light Gray Base - Silver/Light Gray bases reduce the contrast that a darker base would create. Since the pearl is silver these bases create a smoother more subtle holographic effect.
• Gunmetal Gray Base - The best of both options, creates a stronger effect than over a Silver/Light Gray base and a more subtle effect than a Black base.

Click the link to shop our Basecoats.

PEARL

We recommend mixing Pearls into Intercoat Clear to acheive the best result. However, Clear Binder or Base Clear can be used also. Do not mix Holographic pearl into top coat clear.

Intercoat / Binder / Base Clear generally need to be thinned with Reducer to create ready to spray material. Follow the coating manufactuer's recommendation to determine how much reducer is required.

Example: if your intercoat calls for 1:1 ratio of intercoat to reducer, mix 2 quarts (64oz) of intercoat and 2 quarts (64oz) of reducer to make one ready to spray (sprayable) gallon (128oz).

In small increments, mix the recommended ratio of pearls into ready to spray material until properly dispersed. See ratios below.

• Black and Dark Gray Base
  • 10g - 15g to 1 gallon sprayable. 

• Silver/Light Gray Base
  • 20g - 25g to 1 gallon sprayable.

Apply 2-3 pearl coats over the base until you reach the desired amount of coverage/effect. Best practice for spraying a full vehicle; walk the full length of the vehicle instead of spraying panel by panel to avoid overlapping coverage build up.

Overapplying pearl over Black/Dark Gray bases can take on the color of the pearl (silver) at higher ratios/too many coats, and lose vibrancy of the holographic effect. Overapplying pearl on lighter bases will result in a less dramatic effect.

We recommend spraying a test panel or color card prior to application to dial in spray settings and coats. In this crucial step take note of gun angle & pressure, distance, overlap and spray technique.

For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

TOP COAT CLEAR

Finish with a UV protected clear coat (typically 2-3 coats). For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

Click the link to shop our Clears.

Interference Pearls are white particle translucent pearlescent pigments that create subtle color hue highlights over white, and darker more pronounced color hue over black.

For best results, use a three stage process. Apply base, apply pearl coats and finish with top coat clear. Please read below for specific instructions pertaining to each stage.

BASE

Interference Pearls are translucent pigments that add color over a base. They are traditionally used over white or black bases, as shown in each product photo. To create a unique effect, you can use these pearls over any color base. Results will vary, so we always recommend spraying a test first.

For the purpose of this instruction we will focus on application over white or black bases.

Click the link to shop our Basecoats.

PEARL

We recommend mixing Pearls into Intercoat Clear to acheive the best result. However, Clear Binder or Base Clear can be used also. Do not mix pearls into top coat clear.

Intercoat / Binder / Base Clear generally need to be thinned with Reducer to create ready to spray material. Follow the coating manufactuer's recommendation to determine how much reducer is required.

Example: if your intercoat calls for 1:1 ratio of intercoat to reducer, mix 2 quarts (64oz) of intercoat and 2 quarts (64oz) of reducer to make one ready to spray (sprayable) gallon (128oz).

In small increments, mix the recommended ratio of pearls into ready to spray material until properly dispersed. See ratios below.

Apply pearl coats over the base until you reach the desired amount of coverage. Best practice for spraying a full vehicle; walk the full length of the vehicle instead of spraying panel by panel to avoid overlapping coverage build up. Most of our pearls reach full coverage in approximately 2-3 coats.

Interference Pearls are used to add a color hue over a base. The number of coats depends on how predominant you would like the color hue.

Lighter coverage of interference pearls will result in a darker effect over black and a subtle effect over white.

Heavier coverage of interference pearls will strengthen the dominance of the color hue over the base.

Overapplying the pearl over black can diminish the interference (or translucent) effect which can cause whiting out, where the colors dull and the overall appearance is milky.

Over a white base, too much interference pearl can cause an off-white tone to appear. For example: applying too much Blue Interference over white will strengthen the blue but also cause the white base tone to yellow.

We recommend spraying a test panel or color card prior to application to dial in spray settings and coats. In this crucial step take note of gun angle & pressure, distance, overlap and spray technique.

For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

TOP COAT CLEAR

Finish with a UV protected clear coat (typically 2-3 coats). For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

Click the link to shop our Clears.

Crystal and Crystal X Pearls are white particle translucent glass flake based pigments that create subtle color hue highlights over white, and darker more pronounced color hue over black. Crystal Pearls particle size range is 40-200um, which produces a medium metallic effect. Crystal X Pearls particle size range is 50-400um, which produces a large metallic sparkling effect.

For best results, use a three stage process. Apply base, apply pearl coats and finish with top coat clear. Please read below for specific instructions pertaining to each stage.

BASE

Crystal Pearls are medium to large particle translucent pigments that add sparkling color over a base. They are traditionally used over white or black bases, as shown in each product photo. To create a unique effect, you can use these pearls over any color base. Results will vary, so we always recommend spraying a test first.

For the purpose of this instruction we will focus on application over white or black bases.

Click the link to shop our Basecoats.

PEARL

We recommend mixing Pearls into Intercoat Clear to acheive the best result. However, Clear Binder or Base Clear can be used also. Some users mix Crystal Pearls into top coat clear, however this adds a level of difficulty if any issues arise, therefore we recommend using intercoat.

Intercoat / Binder / Base Clear generally need to be thinned with Reducer to create ready to spray material. Follow the coating manufactuer's recommendation to determine how much reducer is required.

Example: if your intercoat calls for 1:1 ratio of intercoat to reducer, mix 2 quarts (64oz) of intercoat and 2 quarts (64oz) of reducer to make one ready to spray (sprayable) gallon (128oz).

In small increments, mix the recommended ratio of pearls into ready to spray material until properly dispersed. See ratios below.

Apply pearl coats over the base until you reach the desired amount of coverage. Best practice for spraying a full vehicle; walk the full length of the vehicle instead of spraying panel by panel to avoid overlapping coverage build up. Most of our pearls reach full coverage in approximately 2-3 coats.

Crystal Pearls are used to add a color hue over a base. The number of coats depends on how predominant you would like the color hue.

Lighter coverage will result in a darker effect over black and a subtle effect over white.

Heavier coverage will strengthen the dominance of the color hue over the base.

Overapplying the pearl over black can diminish the interference (or translucent) effect which can cause whiting out, where the colors dull and the overall appearance is milky.

Over a white base, too much pearl can cause an off-white tone to appear. For example: applying too much Blue Teal Crystal Pearl over white will strengthen the blue but also cause the white base tone to yellow.

We recommend spraying a test panel or color card prior to application to dial in spray settings and coats. In this crucial step take note of gun angle & pressure, distance, overlap and spray technique.

For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

TOP COAT CLEAR

Finish with a UV protected clear coat (typically 2-3 coats). For best results, follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in.

Click the link to shop our Clears.

Metal Flakes are solvent resistant glitters, made from reflective aluminum film coated by colored polyester. Our flake sizes range from 0.002 (smallest) to 0.025 (largest), allowing for a range of effects from sublte sparkle, to shimmering metallic, up to big eye-catching flake.

For best results, mix Flakes into intercoat clear. Some users mix Flakes into top coat clear, however this adds a level of difficulty to the application and we recommend using intercoat.

BASE:

Flakes can be applied over any base color. However, we suggest choosing a base color that’s complimentary to your flake. For example, choosing a base that is 4-5 shades darker than your flake can create depth.

FLAKE:

Choose a flake size that best suits your needs. Smaller flakes (0.002, 0.004 and 0.008) are commonly referred to as Micro Flakes. Micro flakes will produce a more subtle sparkle effect, and will generally required less flake to acheive faster coverage (when compared to larger flakes).

Larger flakes (0.015, 0.025) reflect more light which amplifies their sparkling effects. For a smooth finish, larger flake sizes (0.015, 0.025) will increase knockdown/sanding and require more coats of top coat clear.

*If using flake other than Chrome (silver), please take caution not to sand through your coating layer or the color can be removed from the flake (exposing the silver aluminum layer). 


EQUIPMENT:

Gravity guns and siphon guns (with filters removed) work well. Hand agitation/swirling the gun between panels is helpful to keep flakes suspended in the gun’s hopper.

Dry flake guns are another option, however this is a different application process than the instructions that we provide below.

TIP SIZE:

Please be sure to use an appropriate spray gun tip size, to allow for proper passage of the flake.

For strong flake coverage in each coat you may need to increase tip size from the minimum recommended size listed below.


MIXING:

Filter clear/reducer before mixing flake. Once flake is mixed in, you cannot filter or it will get trapped.

Mix flake into Intercoat Clear with stirring stick. Add small increments (1-3 tablespoons per quart of ready to spray material) at a time until you have reached the desired effect. While mixing, quickly remove the stirring stick to help you gauge flake coverage. Lighter bases may require more than 3 tablespoons per quart.

After mixing, pour mixture into the cup of your gun, but DO NOT use a filter. Also, please remember your gun’s filter must be removed before pouring.

SPRAYING:

Gun should not be too far from the surface, 4-5 inches is ideal. Spray 1-3 coats. Try not to apply more than three flake coats because this increases roughness, which can lengthen the smoothing/sanding process, allow time to fully flash (follow coating manufacturer's recommendation). Once flashed, use a scuff pad (NOT sandpaper, tac cloth, then proceed with additional flake coats.

We recommend spraying a test panel or color card prior to application to dial in spray settings, coats and coverage. In this crucial step take note of gun angle & pressure, distance, overlap and spray technique.

Follow the coating manufacturer’s recommended flash time in between coats, according to the temperature you are spraying in. Once satisfied with flake coverage, allow time to fully flash and follow the manufacturers instructions.

Then move onto applying top coat clear in 2-3 coats. We do not recommend exceeding 3 coats without proper cure times. If you have heavy coverage or large flake, additional sanding and flow coats may be required to acheive a smooth finish. Follow the coating manufacturers recommended grit range / prep needed prior to applying additional clear coats. Please take caution not to sand through your coating layer.

Didspade's Candy Concentrates are powders that get dissolved into solvents (reducer) to create intensely vibrant color tinted solutions that can be added to Intercoat Clear, Candy Carrier, or 2:1 Clearcoat while maintaining transparency. The Candy application process is more advanced than our Pearls and Flakes. Please follow these steps carefully.

DISSOLVE FIRST:

Mix powders into solvent based reducer (use separate cup), stir and let settle. Repeat this process to allow time for the powder to fully dissolve. DO NOT MIX INTO ANYTHING OTHER THAN REDUCER, POWDER WILL NOT DISSOLVE CORRECTLY.


The following guides show how to use our candies with 1:1 Intercoat Clear, 4:1 Clear/Candy Carrier, and 2:1 Clear.

If using a 4:1 or 2:1 clear, please make sure your clear can handle 5-10% reduction.

We recommend using proper safety equipment, such as: protective eyewear, protective clothing and most importantly a NIOSH approved respirator during your application and while handling products.