If “Candy Apple Red” was the first phrase to come to mind when you read the title of this article, you’re probably already familiar with the concept of candy paint—even if you didn’t know it. Picture any modern sports car, curvy classic, or showstopping hotrod with a dazzling paint job that demands your attention—but we’re not talking metal flake, to be clear—and you’ve hit on what some might call the candy paint effect. Rich in depth and stunning in any kind of light, candy coats elevate any ride while paying homage to some of the greatest painters the automotive world has seen.
Here at Colors Edge, we’re fascinated by candy coats, which is why we’ve compiled the following deep dive into the candy paint world. From understanding where and how candy coats started to learning more about how to spray candy paint and care for it, we’ll cover everything you need to know and then some. If you’re feeling inspired by all this talk of candy coats, source your paint supplies from our list of superior products designed with the professional and DIYer in mind.
What is “candy” paint?
In contrast to traditional opaque automotive paint, candy paint achieves a wet, vibrant look through a transparent mid-coat layer. That deep glow of color and richness requires building up several layers of transparent tint on a reflective base coat, all covered with several mils of clear coat. Spraying candy coats requires refined technique, but any automotive painter can master it with some practice.
Candy paints are three-stage paints comprising a base coat, a transparent mid-coat, and a clear coat. The base coat is often a highly reflective color—typically silver or gold—but can also be black to add depth depending on the mid-coat shade. The transparent layer between the base coat and clear coat is where candy coats get their name, as the tint allows light to pass through, creating depth.
Finishing off the paint with several coats of clear enhances the candy layer while protecting it from the elements. The high-gloss effect showcases the interplay between the candy paint and the base coat, which often intensifies with additional coats. Beneath their clear coat, many cars have four or more coats of candy to achieve their signature look.
Candy paint’s origins
Candy coats have long been associated with car culture during the 1950s and ‘60s, when names like Joe Bailon, Larry Watson, and Mel Pinoli were celebrities in their own right. The candy painting techniques and projects they presented to the car world remain unmatched. Much of the candy painting happened in California, and it’s been said that Joe Bailon himself coined the original “Candy Apple Red.”
In an effort to cater to enthusiasts, Ford covered its 1965 Mustang in many candy colors, including Poppy Red, Honey Gold, and Twilight Turquoise. While it’s been in and out of the mainstream automotive paint world since, candy paint has also made its mark on the lowrider community. When celebrities, auto enthusiasts, and painters alike want to pay homage to the skill and dedication of early painters who pioneered this technique, they also incorporate candy coats to stun on social media platforms and streets across the nation.
How to spray candy paint
Spraying candy paint follows the same procedures as most three-stage paints. After priming the vehicle, lay down a base coat you’ve chosen to make the candy coat pop. Next is the candy coat, then a clear coat to finish it off.
However, it’s important to note that the base coat color you choose will alter the hue of your candy paint. For example, silver—especially metallic silver—makes bright candy coats pop in the sun, while black makes it look as if the car body opens up a portal into a black hole. Gold and red can add a warm hue to the mix.
In addition to being aware of the base coat color, it’s also important to recognize that each additional coat of candy will darken the paint slightly. In effect, you’re bringing the car’s paint closer to an opaque color with each coat. A let-down panel can help you find the right number of coats to achieve the look you’re going for—but more on that in a later section.
Common types of candy paint
Candy coats often come in three distinct types: urethane, base coat, and concentrate. Urethane candy is a two-part paint that achieves the depth of most candy coats, but can be challenging to work with. Conversely, candy base coats and concentrates are often more popular, as they’re a bit easier to work with.
As the name suggests, a candy base coat sprays on like a base coat but looks like candy. It’s still transparent to achieve the candy effect, but it sprays on more evenly and dries faster. For these reasons, many painters choose a candy base coat if they plan to add graphics later.
Candy concentrates give you more flexibility in adding candy to your paint. For example, you can mix with clear for a urethane candy, intercoat clear for a candy base coat, or simply mix it with other base coat colors for a custom look. Once you get more advanced with using candy coats, it’s often fun to experiment with candy concentrates to see what effects you can come up with.
Candy paint care instructions
While paint care techniques for candy coats resemble those of almost any other automotive paint, it’s important to keep two things in mind:
- Imperfections are easier to see on candy coats
- Candy paint isn’t as lightfast as your standard automotive paint
If the candy paint on your car looks dull, scratched, or dirty, you’re going to notice it more because of the vibrancy of the paint. It’s a truth that affects every custom-painted car, whether it’s candy, matte, or any other one-off design. In addition, candy paint can’t withstand UV rays as well as factory paint, so it’s best to store any candy-coated vehicles inside or, if they have to be outside, cover the paint.
Tips to achieve that show-stopping candy coat finish
Painting flawless candy coats might seem like a tall order at first, but like with any automotive painting technique, it’s all about experience in the booth. Experiment with minimal variables to get a feel for the candy and how it lays down, then expand your horizons to see what custom colors you can create. Below are some key tips to keep in mind when spraying candy coats.
Practice proper painting techniques
It may go without saying that you should practice proper painting techniques when spraying candy coats, but it’s worth emphasizing. Like with custom paint jobs that require precision and attention to detail, candy coats will betray any blotches, striping, uneven colors, and other paint defects that otherwise mar the deep color. If nothing else, ensure that you apply the paint evenly, laying down a light coat to begin with that allows you to build the color to your desired hue.
Create a let-down panel
Once you get the technique of spraying candy coats down, create a let-down panel of a color combination you want to offer or apply to a particular project. Select one base coat shade for a single letdown panel, or, if you prefer, choose two or three to compare. Then, spray three to five coats of candy paint—or more—taping off sections as you go to maintain a gradual build of paint layers.
Paint the car first and the jambs second
Individual automotive painters may have their own opinions on this matter, but painting the door jambs second—after painting the entire body—accomplishes a few things:
- It allows you to get plenty of coverage on the body and perfect your technique as you go
- It’s much easier to remove overspray on body panels you’re likely to sand anyway than correct it on intricate door jambs
When sprayed correctly, candy coats will show little to no hard transition between the body panels and the jambs.
Spray a sweet candy coating with supplies from Colors Edge
As with any eye-catching color scheme or custom paint job, candy coats require the best from both the painter and their supplies. Colors Edge is your go-to source for all things automotive paint, from scuff pads and wet/dry sandpaper to wax and grease removers. If you’re considering different color candy coats for your next project, contact us or call us at 336-378-7872.
