Color Shift paint is a cool craft paint – with shimmering, metallic shades that shift in changing light! Learn all about it and how to use it.
I’ve made it very clear how much I love craft paint. I’m kind of obsessed with it! I use craft paint by itself but also in many of my Mod Podge crafts. I wrote on article on how to use acrylic paint and it’s always been a popular post.
When a new craft paint comes out, I feel obligated not only to use it, but to write about it if I fall in love. My friends, I have fallen in love with Color Shift!
If you’ve never heard of this paint, you’re in for a treat. This paint has pigments that create a metallic luster with colors that shimmer in changing light!
Color shift paint is hard to describe, for sure. Start by visualizing a metallic paint. The “shift” happens when you paint a dimensional object, and then turn it around in your hand under light.
The colors that come out depends on the angle. It shimmers and shines, like mermaid scales. It’s awesome and one of favorite craft paints ever. I’m really excited and want to share some projects so that you can see how to use this amazing paint.
But before that, I want to teach you how to use this paint and give you tips/tricks. So that when you use it, you are fully prepared and get the best results!
How to Use Color Shift Paint
The first thing to know about this paint is that it’s waterbased, non-toxic, and made in the USA. It’s easy to brush on, and you use it straight from the bottle without diluting.
On what surfaces can I use color shift paint?
This paint can be applied to most craft surfaces such as wood, terra cotta, stretched canvas, rigid plastic, papier mache, metal, bisque ware or unglazed ceramics, glass and ceramics. It’s an indoor and outdoor paint.
The color shifting properties of the paint appear best when painted onto a smooth, 3-dimensional surface that will reflect light.
How should I prepare surfaces before painting?
The great thing about these paints is that they don’t require a lot of surface prep. The main concern is to have the surface thoroughly cleaned and dry prior to painting. Here’s how you should prepare individual surfaces:
Tip: I *highly* recommend painting a basecoat of a matching acrylic paint color (non metallic) down first. You’ll end up having to use less coats of color shift, and it will “pop” off the surface better.
Canvas – No prep required.
Fabric – It is NOT recommended to use Color Shift paint on fabric; fabric will only absorb the paint and (depending upon the weave of the fabric) may be too textured. You can try it at your own risk to see if you mind.
Glass and Ceramics – Wash surface well in warm soapy water, rinse and allow to dry thoroughly. Wipe over surface with rubbing alcohol to remove remaining soap or grease residue. (learn how to paint glass here).
Metal and Tin – Metal that has been enameled or sealed should be washed in warm soapy water, then wiped with rubbing alcohol to remove remaining grease or soap residue.
Paper and Papier Mache – No prep required.
Rigid Plastic – Wash the surface well in warm soapy water, rinse and thoroughly dry. Wipe over surface with rubbing alcohol prior to painting on rigid plastic to will remove remaining grease or soap residue.
Terra Cotta – If it’s used, you should clean with warm soap water before painting. You’ll also want to seal the inside if you plan on using live plants and dirt inside. Get my pot decoration guide for more tips.
Wood – If desired, sand smooth any rough areas prior to painting. Remove any dust.
Can it be used outdoors?
Yes. By the nature of the acrylic polymers used within, it is weather resistant.
When cured to the surface, it is self sealing, making it unnecessary to seal or topcoat, when properly cured (48 hours). Once cured to the project surface, it is water and fade resistant under normal conditions.
Can I use water to thin it?
No – you’ll mess with the properties of the paint and it won’t be iridescent or “shift”!
Can it be used with other paint products?
Don’t mix before application as you’ll compromise the color, finish, and ability to shift colors. However, you can use with other acrylic paint projects (such as over the top, or underneath), when dry.
How long does it take to cure?
This paint will dry to the touch very quickly, however, it will take approximately 48 hours before it is cured fully.
How should I clean up my brushes and tools?
Clean brushes and tools immediately after use, while wet, with soap and water. Like any other acrylic craft paint or Mod Podge, you don’t want this paint to dry in your brushes.
Are you ready for some projects?? I’m so excited to share! Here are 10 ways to use this paint below.
Color Shift Paint Projects
1. Sweet Message Rocks
Paint rocks with color shift paint, then hide them in the bushes for someone lucky to find! They will shine so brightly in the sun.
2. Candlestick Candy Holders
Katie used these colorblock candlesticks to create candy holders! These are so cute for the holidays. I love the way she splatter painted on the top, too.
3. DIY Fidget Spinner
This is made by drilling holes through small painted popsicle sticks and attaching them to a wood block with a nail. What happens when you spin it around? Well you’ll just have to find out by making one! All I have to say is that it looks really cool. Kids will love this project.
4. Rainbow Cubby
This shelf is such a perfect way to use all the shades of color shift paint! It’s hard to say which one is my favorite . . . because I really love them all.
5. Shimmer Easter Eggs
What I love about this Easter egg project is that the paint was used underneath Glitterific (another product by Plaid) for a unique effect. So you see glitter on the top and the shifting of the acrylic paint below.
6. Beaded Baby Mobile
The Pretty Life Girls used this paint on geometric beads and made a mobile! What’s fun about this project is that the beads spin around, showing off the awesome paint effects in the light.
7. Unicorn Vanity
You can use this paint on furniture, and it looks so cool! What kid wouldn’t love this in their bedroom? Heck – I might want unicorns in my craft room.
8. Mermaid Inspired Bracelet
You don’t have to use this paint in large areas – you can dot color shift paint on too! It looks awesome on this mermaid inspired bracelet. Three shades were used.
9. Glitter Notebook
This notebook is another example of using this paint with glitter on top. You need to try it so you can see how amazing it looks with and without!
10. Flower Pots
So far this is probably my favorite application of Color Shift. It looks awesome on clay pots, so my plan is to do a set for my windowsill. AND I could even leave them outside since it’s self sealing!
Now that you’ve learned all about this fantastic iridescent paint, here’s a quick video (and you can see all the colors in action!). Just press PLAY on the video in this post!
Let me know in the comments if you’d like to try this paint – and what your project idea is. Enjoy!
It takes something pretty darn cool for me to make a “right now” trip to purchase it in as many colors as I can get…this is one of THOSE things!!!
I have ideas galore on projects this will be perfect for, I can’t wait! My 8-year old grandson lives two blocks away, he is an old soul and a born crafter. He prefers to call himself a “maker”. I am so excited to introduce him to these paints and see what ideas his vivid little imagination brings forth. Thank you and thank you for this post.
I love these colors. Just recently acquired some older garden Knick knacks. These paints would totally give them new life and pops of color that they so well deserve.
This is the best thing ever!! I do oh so many crafts and am always looking for new n unusual things to try..now I hafta go get some of this new paint! I want them all, lol, thanks for your blog!
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can I use this on Leather?
me interesa saber si se puede usar en tela y si permanece tras el lavado
I would love to try color shift paint. How do we get some
I love the idea of painting with this on an old leather purse. Will it work on leather and fabric? I didn’t see that mentioned.
Ohh! Can’t wait to try the aqua color on clay pots & glass vases & jars! I I have a new craft desk & area that’s all aqua colors – my favorite color! Thanks for sharing your post!
I went in search of the aqua shift paint today. I have been waiting all weekend to go get some! My first stop didn’t have any – ????. Then I remembered another place that would have it. Plus, they had it in the 4 fl oz size botttle! Yippee! ????
I always admire the shift painted cars & pick up trucks. I am going to get some toy vehicles & paint them with my aqua shift paint! This is one way to have what I want! ????
I would like to try Color Shift for use on cards, Christmas ornaments, papier mache items and figurines and wire ming trees to name just a few techniques.
I am a retired American Folk Art and Needlework professor. For many years I taught, wrote, and had published numerous articles featuring traditional projects and techniques.
Now I have time to experiment with giving “old” items a new look. The Color Shift paint sounds as if it would be an ideal material to use for this “new look”.
I would appreciate receiving samples to try.
Donna….(Crafts By Donna was my business.)