Help with X-otic crystals

[14424]

Hello,
I just recieved an order from X-otic and got some Crystals with it. I know they are hard to work with, from previous posts. Any tips on how to do them properly? I will be painting some bike parts and want to use them as an accent color not as the main paint color.
Thanks in advance, Jim

 

[crashfixer]

I have had alot of frustration with this paint but when it does do right,it is great.The only trick I can offer will sound totally wrong but it did work for me.The trick is.....Paint your pieces,clear them,allow to dry and then wetsand with 400 grit.When finished wetsanding,wash off with water and ivory liquid.Now here is where is it gets stupid,when you wash off the wetsanded pieces,dont rinse them off with water,just get a lint free rag and wipe them off leaving a soap residue on them,then start the crystal process as normal.......Disclaimer...I am by no means telling you to do this,all I am saying is that I have seen this process work and has stood the test off time for well over a year.I did not like the idea of leaving a soap film on my pieces but it did work out or atleast seemed to for now.Good luck.

 

[14424]

Hmmmmmm, well that sounds pretty weird. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif How in the world did you come up with that approach??? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/2idea.gif I have been e-mailing with Nate from Innate and will run this past him. What kind of soap are you using and how strong? I know in the instructions they pretty strongly want the shop tempeture above 70 degrees. Thanks for the reply, Jim

 

[crashfixer]

I was actually showed this techique by another painter.It does sound off the wall and I will admit it is but it seems to work for some reason.I will give the award to this paint for the hardest to use,I think it would be easier to paint an air liner with candy paint spraying with your toes,LOL. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lolsign.gif

 

[Pigpipes]

Jim,

If you follow the directions, the stuff will work. Make sure you experiment with it on a few test panels first to get a feel for the way it reacts to temp, airflow, whether the panels are vertical or horizontal, etc. I've had the best luck using used 1500 grit paper to lightly wet scuff the top color off - this is where the experimenting pays off in getting the look you want. Also, DRY sand with 320 for the best results.

Hope this helps.

Steve