TOPCOAT COLOR GRADIENTS
You can easily achieve stunning color gradients with Spectra Chrome. In this section, we will demonstrate how red pigment can range from soft pink to deep red; and blue can transition from baby blue to dark navy — based solely on the amount of coats applied.
We are using two vases for this demonstration – we show basecoating these vases in More Basecoating Examples, and metalizing them in More Metalizing Examples.
As always, an initial “glossy/frosty” topcoat layer was applied over the raw silver, and allowed to air dry overnight in the warm space (with the heater turned off).
For this demonstration we will be using two different tint colors — blue and red.
BLUE TINT
We had some mixed Topcoat 311 (chrome color) left over from spraying the tiles in the previous section. As explained in Topcoat Mixing Procedure, this mixed Topcoat 311 was still within the “pot life” and remained liquid enough to spray. So instead of wasting it, we decided to repurpose it as our blue color.
To achieve a very deep blue, we added (20) additional drops of blue tint into the mixture, and stirred thoroughly with a craft stick.
RED TINT
For our red color, we added (20) drops of red tint into (2) ounces of mixed Topcoat 311. This mixture was poured into a second disposable liner, and mixed thoroughly with a craft stick.
Remember that your parts will always require one last layer of Topcoat 311 (no color) as a final protective coating. Be sure to set aside a few ounces of Topcoat 311 (no color) in a separate DPC cup, and reserve it for use as your final clear coat after your color coats are complete.
The gradient from chrome to red is applied in several layers.
We spin the vase while applying each coat of red, spraying more red color toward the base, and less the toward the neck. We build up the intensity of the red with additional coats of color — allowing 5 to 7 minutes of flash time between coats. Remember, to achieve deep topcoat colors, it is important to build up the color intensity gradually using several thin coats.
During application, you will notice the areas with darker color have a glossy shine; while the lighter areas appear dry or “frosty”. This is perfectly normal in the process — the full shine will return when the final layer of Topcoat 311 (no color) is applied at the end.
After the red gradient is applied, we use lacquer thinner to flush out the remaining red color in the spray gun chamber before swapping to our blue color. We followed the same color swapping procedure outlined on the Topcoating Practice Tiles page.
Next, we attached our DPC cup containing our blue color to the spray gun. We will apply a blue color gradient to the second vase.
Once again, we spin the vase while applying each coat of blue; spraying more blue color toward the base, and less toward the neck. The color intensity is built up gradually using several thin coats of blue topcoat — allowing 5 to 7 minutes of flash time between each coat.
To complete the finish, we apply a final layer of Topcoat 311 (no color) over the entire vase surface. This final layer “wets out” the dry-spray areas to create a uniform, high-gloss shine while providing ultra-durable UV protection.
We place the finished vases in the warm space (with the heater turned off) to protect them while air drying overnight. Always allow at least 24 hour of dry time before handling your finished parts.