Paint How To: Magic Crystals

[Unkl Ian]

Some of you might have seen this stuff from Alsa:
http://www.alsacorp.com/products/cry...x_prodinfo.htm




It's a crystal solution,that you use as a water soluable mask,
to create different effects.Alsa gets $79 a quart,which is probably
enough to do a few complete cars.

If anyone is interested,I'll post a How To
that anyone can replicate at home for less than $10.

Same cool effects,for less money.

[carcentric]

Would look authentic on the Tiki Tub, if nothing else.

[Steve]

Heck, ya got MY attention.

[FONZY]

Nice paint... but it looks like somebody fucked it all up with a cheesecloth while it was still wet

*shrug*

[Steve]

I was checking out some of the other patterns as well...

I keep thinking how cool this would look (but in a deep violet) on the roof of the Merc...

[carcentric]

Originally Posted by Steve

I was checking out some of the other patterns as well... I keep thinking how cool this would look (but in a deep violet) on the roof of the Merc...

Like you parked under a Japanese Maple?

[Turbo Punk]

That would look really cool if you masked off the car and did flames with the stuff.

Tim

[Steve]

Originally Posted by carcentric

Like you parked under a Japanese Maple?

Yes. Exactly. Just like I parked under a Japanese Maple.

[purplemyth]

that stuff looks really interesting, wish they had a printed catalog though, my email will overload !
I tried changing the hue of the above pattern ~~~~ red!

[Unkl Ian]

More pics from the Alsa site:

[Unkl Ian]

One more:


Here they have combined a few different materials,
Pearls,Candy,Crystals,all in one paint job.

[Jon]

If you cheack out the MSDS it states that it consist of Water, Urea, Aqua Amonia, and Neocryl. I think Neocryl is a proprietery name for some substance, but it makes you wonder what kinda effects if any that Amonia or Urea would produce.
Urea I believe, is found in Urine. I am not suggesting that somone go run out and piss on their fresh paint job or anything.

I am gonna find out what Neocryl is.

I found out it's a IsoCyanate, which is basically adhesive so it's kinda a binder of sorts thats used in some Laquer finishes to help achieve High Gloss.

So the way I think this stuff works is that it has a reaction of some sort from either the Amonia and or Urea and the Neocryl then provides adhesive properties in certain areas so that the following coat bonds while the rest is washed away.

Just thinking that some other possiblities are out there, although they have done the R&R so chances are they have already worked it out. I just find things like this kinda inspiring thats all.

Unkl Ian post away. I would love to see the home brew method. Love to see if my theory is correct or not.

[Unkl Ian]

Actually,the product works as a resist,like a mask.

The product dries,and forms into crystals.
Next you spray your second color over it,let that dry,
then rinse with water while rubbing the surface.

The cyrstals break off and wash away,taking some of the paint with it.

You end up seeing the first color where the crystal patterns formed.
In between the crystals,you see the second color.

From there,you can top coat with Candy,Pearls,etc.

Now I just have to find my camera.

[danechild]

This would look good on the inside of the roof for those not using a headliner. Actualy, it might look good on the whole inteior.

[Unkl Ian]

This is the stuff I used,you can get it at Michael's for less than $10.

[Unkl Ian]

Surface needs to be clean and dry.

You MUST scuff the surface before applying the solution.
The direction of scuffing influences the pattern.
Do a few test pieces to become comfortable with the effect.

Shake well before spraying.
Spray on the solution,and let dry.

It will look something like this:

[Unkl Ian]

Kind of like frost on a window.

How much solution you spray on influences the effect.
The drying rate may also influence the effect.
You will need to experiment.



If you don't like the crystal pattern,wash it off with water and start again.

[Unkl Ian]

Now we dust on the first layer of color.
First choice is automotive paint,the new stuff that dries fast.



I'm using cheapo flat black because it gives a good contrast with the yellow plastic,and I already had it.Any color combination will work.The crystals only serve as a water soluable mask.

[Unkl Ian]

Once the first layer of color has flashed off for a few minutes,dust on the second layer of color.

[Unkl Ian]

Repeat the process until you have decent coverage.


I like the look at this point,unfortunately the crystals are too fragile to be considered permanant.

[Unkl Ian]

Let that dry real well,then comes the fun part.

Rinse with running water,and scrubb with your bare hands to remove the crystals and expose the design.

[Unkl Ian]

[Unkl Ian]

The process is probably easier on horizontal surfaces,
the solution will want to run off a vertical surface.

The stuff from Wallmart is supposed to be better for vertical surfaces.
It's a spray,that goes on thicker,and dries faster.

And I imagine you could NOT use a water based paint,
like Createx,for your top coat,since it would disolve the crystals.
Or maybe it would work if it was dusted on dry enough.

Again,you'll have to experiment.

[Unkl Ian]

There is another similar product,called Crystal Creations,
that might actually work better.
Unfortunately,I don't know where to get it,or who makes it.

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Any questions ?

[Nick]

Awesome post Unk Ian To the tech bin