CREATEX COLORS ‱ WICKED PEARL & METALLIC

Createx Wicked Pearl & Metallic Airbrush Colors

Createx Wicked Pearl & Metallic Colors are water-based, multi-surface airbrush paints designed for pearlescent, metallic, aluminum, and specialty reflective finishes. The collection includes Wicked Pearl colors, traditional metallic shades, aluminum finishes, chrome-style effects, and specialty colors for models, custom graphics, artwork, hobby projects, and prepared hard surfaces.

Pearl & Metallic Colors in This Collection

Wicked Pearl & Metallic Colors include several types of reflective finishes, allowing painters to choose between softer pearl effects, traditional metallic color, aluminum finishes, and specialty high-reflectivity options.

  • Pearl Colors: Pearl White, Pearl Yellow, Pearl Red, Pearl Blue, Pearl Lime Green, Pearl Orange, Pearl Plum, Pearl Cream, Pearl Teal, Pearl Magenta, Pearl Purple, Pearl Silver, and related shades.
  • Metallic Colors: Metallic Gold, Metallic Silver, Metallic Fastback Green, Metallic Charcoal, and other metallic colors provide reflective finishes with different color tones.
  • Aluminum Colors: Fine and coarse aluminum options provide different levels of metallic texture and particle appearance.
  • Specialty Metallic Colors: Quicksilver, Gold Chrome, Wicked Shine colors, and additional specialty finishes expand the range beyond standard pearl and metallic shades.

Pearl Colors for Layered Reflective Finishes

Wicked Pearl Colors combine colored pigments with pearlescent particles to create reflective finishes that change in appearance as light moves across the surface.

  • Semi-opaque coverage: Pearl colors spray semi-opaque directly from the bottle.
  • Layerable appearance: Light coats allow the underlying base color to influence the finished pearl effect.
  • Color-keyed bases: Applying pearl colors over a coordinated base can help improve coverage and create a more consistent finished color.
  • Reduced application: Adding 4011 Reducer increases transparency and can help with finer airbrush setups.

Metallic & Aluminum Finishes

Wicked Metallic Colors contain reflective particles that produce metallic finishes ranging from traditional gold and silver to colored metallic tones.

  • Metallic Gold & Silver: General-purpose metallic colors for reflective gold and silver finishes.
  • Colored Metallics: Metallic green, blue, bronze, copper, brown, charcoal, and other colors combine metallic reflection with a tinted finish.
  • Aluminum Fine: Uses finer metallic particles for a smoother aluminum appearance.
  • Aluminum Coarse: Uses larger particles for a more pronounced metallic texture.

Createx recommends applying aluminum and silver colors over 6013 AutoBorne Silver Sealer when a coordinated metallic base is desired.

Airbrush Setup & 4011 Reducer

Wicked Pearl & Metallic Colors are formulated to spray semi-opaque directly from the bottle through a suitable airbrush. Tip size and reduction can be adjusted based on the desired finish and level of detail.

  • 0.5 mm airbrush: A practical starting size for spraying Pearl & Metallic Colors directly from the bottle.
  • 4011 Reducer: Can be added to increase transparency and lower viscosity.
  • Smaller airbrush tips: Reduced Pearl & Metallic Colors can be used with airbrush tips down to approximately 0.3 mm depending on the color and spray setup.
  • Multiple light coats: Building the finish gradually can help produce more even metallic and pearl particle orientation.

Choosing the Right Base Color

The color underneath a pearl or metallic finish can significantly affect its final appearance. A coordinated base can improve coverage, color consistency, and the visual depth of the reflective finish.

  • Color-keyed base: Use a similar base color when the goal is consistent coverage and predictable color.
  • Silver base: Recommended for many aluminum and silver metallic colors.
  • Dark base: Can increase contrast and deepen selected metallic or pearl effects.
  • Light base: Can produce a brighter overall appearance with selected pearl colors.

Pearl & Metallic Colors for Multi-Surface Projects

Wicked Colors use a durable acrylic resin system intended for multi-surface painting. Pearl and metallic colors can be incorporated into a variety of airbrush workflows when the substrate is prepared appropriately.

  • Scale models and miniature projects
  • Custom graphics and airbrush artwork
  • Helmets and prepared hard surfaces
  • Automotive-style custom painting
  • RC bodies and hobby projects
  • Props and cosplay projects
  • Canvas, illustration, and decorative artwork

Pearl & Metallic vs. Pearl-Flake Colors

Wicked Pearl & Metallic Colors and Wicked Pearl-Flake Colors are separate effect families. Pearl & Metallic Colors are semi-opaque base colors, while Pearl-Flake products contain actual pearl or effect flakes suspended in a transparent base.

For larger sparkle, interference, Cosmic Sparkle, Hot Rod Sparkle, Hi-Lite, and Flair effects, see the Createx Wicked Pearl-Flake Colors .

Explore More Createx Wicked Colors

For transparent, opaque, detail, fluorescent, pearl, metallic, and specialty paints, see the Createx Wicked Colors collection .

Reducers, mixing clears, cleaners, and related support products are available in the Createx Reducers & Additives collection .

Additional Createx Airbrush Colors, Illustration Colors, candy2o, sealers, clears, and paint sets are available in the Createx Colors collection .