How to Add Pearl Concentrates to Auto Paint

If you are creative enough to want to paint your car yourself, you are might like to add some cool effects. Adding pearl concentrates to your auto paint is a great way to achieve an iridescent general effect and give your car a distinctive look everyone will notice.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paint gun
• Painting tools
• Paints (clear ready-to-spray, pearl concentrate, base color)
• Safety goggles
• Breathing mask
• Open, ventilated space

1. Buy your paint. In addition to the pearl concentrates, you will need to buy a base paint and acrylic lacquer or urethane enamel ready-to-spray clear paint.

2. Determine how much pearl concentrate you should add to your clear spray paint. If your base color is dark, use 3/4 to 1 tsp. of dry pearl concentrate, or 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. of pearl paste concentrate (per mixed quart of your clear ready-to-spray paint). If your base color is light, use 1 to 2 tsp. of dry pearl concentrate, or 1/2 to 1 1/2 tsp. of pearl paste concentrate per quart of clear paint.

3. Figure out how much reducer you will need. With pearl concentrates, it's important to excessively reduce to get that iridescent effect. Typical reduction amounts are 50 to 100 percent, but can vary depending on the type of clear coat you use. Check the paint manufacturer's user guide or website to find out exactly how much reducer to use for the type of job you are doing.

4. Mix the clear paint, appropriate amount of pearl concentrate and the reducer.

5. Strain the paint into your paint gun and begin to work.

Tips & Warnings

• Read all the labels on your paints and paint supplies, and follow any safety procedures the manufacturer recommends.