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Anyone ever try using sparkle or glitter additive to paint?

Posts: 1685 Threads: 529

Greetings,

I have some very cheap drums I got for a great deal and am using them to experiment with. I already cut down the depth with a table saw, and I re-did the cut side bearing edge using a friend's router table, and it actually came out pretty good for a first try!

I want to keep costs down so I want to paint the shells rather than wrap them. They are low quality drums, so giving them just a clear coat or light stain is not an option, because there are all kinds of mismatch wood grain patterns and "diamond" patch jobs etc. A dark stain could work as well I suppose, but I would have more variety and ease of application with paint, and the stain would have to be dark enough not to let the wood grain show through, so it might as well be paint at that point anyway.

I read the reviews online of using paint glitter/sparkle additive, particularly Valspar (Lowe's "house" brand). Many people say you can't see the sparkle very well, even when overusing it, such as adding 4 bags of it per 1 gallon of paint.

The additive only seems to come in a few colors as well. I am thinking about using the additive after I paint, and during the clear coat process. When I paint/re-paint bass drum hoops, I usually give 3-4 coats of satin poly, then use 000 steel wool to smooth it out, then finish with 2 coats of gloss poly. I'm thinking if I use the glitter flakes during the first coat of satin poly, (lightly sprinkling it on while the surface is still tacky) they may come out as a "deeper" finish and more noticeable being on top of the paint rather than being mixed into it. I'm also thinking that by putting several coats of poly over the flakes, that it would be smooth and the flakes would be sealed in place. However, I know it would be hard to get the glitter even over the entire drum if I sprinkle it on by hand. Obviously, when people paint walls with it, they are not typically putting anything over top of it. If I do mix the additive in with the paint, do you think the glitter effect would be enhanced by using the clear coat/gloss poly process?

Any thoughts or suggestions on this? I can obviously do just a solid color with no additives, but I want to enhance it a little bit. Anyone use these or any other kind of additive for a cool finish? Would regular, plain old glitter work as well (the kind we all used with glue on paper in elementary school)?

Thanks for your thoughts/opinions.

V

Posted on 7 years ago
#1
Posts: 268 Threads: 80

You can sprinkle craft glitter over the paint before it's fully dried then clearcoat over.

Here are detailed instructions: http://compactdrums.com/diy-sparkle-finish-snare-drum/

http://compactdrums.com/

http://walopus.com/
Posted on 7 years ago
#2
Posts: 1685 Threads: 529

Wow! That's a really well written and informative article! Thanks so much!

That looks really great. Super job on that drum!

I know I won't have the patience for 25+ coats of clear lacquer! Not to mention the time or expense. It's a great idea, and if these drums were worth anything I would probably try it. I'm going to keep looking at other options but will definitely be referring back to this article.

One question: If I use an oil based poly (I usually use Minwax), would I need less coats because it's thicker than water based poly?

Thanks again!

V

Posted on 7 years ago
#3
Posts: 268 Threads: 80

Can't say for sure but the logic makes sense.

http://compactdrums.com/

http://walopus.com/
Posted on 7 years ago
#4
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

First of if you will add it to a clear put a few ball bearing in it and swirl as you paint keeps the medium suspended

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 7 years ago
#5
Posts: 545 Threads: 67

There was a very long thread on this subject before.

http://vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=51437

Somewhere half way there is elaboration on using glitter and paint

Vintage and custom drum projects:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php...2305272732%3A6
Posted on 7 years ago
#6
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