FAQ
General FAQ
What makes DESIGN MASTER COLORTOOL Sprays unique from other spray paints?
COLORTOOL Sprays deliver clean, crisp consistent color in an ultra-fine mist that provides color coverage without a thick coat of paint or excessive spray dust. This fast-drying spray is delicate enough to color fresh flowers yet sturdy enough to use on all sorts of materials used by professional florists, artisans and crafters. Its versatility is unmatched. The unique delivery system also gives you control to blend, tint, tone and shade colors.
Design Master sprays are modified lacquer-based products. A feature of lacquer products is that as additional coats are applied they re-solubilize the underneath layers to bond together, not just sit on top of one another. The result is a more durable application of color.
What can I use DESIGN MASTER COLORTOOL Sprays on?
Fresh, silk and dried flowers, permanent floral materials, wood, wicker, terra cotta, pottery, plaster, ribbons, lace, fabrics, Styrofoam™ brand foam, craft foam, foam board, paper, papier mache, glass, metal, some plastics and many other decorative surfaces. ALWAYS test-spray an inconspicuous area to assure compatibility and desired results.
What are the differences in DESIGN MASTER color products?
COLORTOOL Spray is pigmented color. It provides a translucent/semi-opaque to opaque coverage. A palette of over 50 colors provides an array of vibrant and metallic hues. With its ultra-fine spray tip, a light coat of COLORTOOL Spray will create a wash of color. Some details of the surface could still be visible. Additional 1-2 light coats build to opacity.
Just For Flowers is a sheer, transparent color. Think stain or dye. It adds rich color to a surface while allowing the underlying features to be seen. Transparent color will deepen with each additional coat applied while still seeing surface details. You control the color value. Also, transparent color gives you options to tint, shift or layer color. Just For Flowers colors fresh, silk and dried flowers without hiding delicate details.
How do you clean up or remove DESIGN MASTER sprays?
To remove spray from your skin, use soap and water to remove as much spray as possible. If color still remains, apply lacquer thinner or acetone into paper toweling and rub over the area. The solvent can dry the skin by removing the natural oils. Be certain to wash the skin again and apply moisturizer.
Lacquer thinner or acetone can also be used to remove overspray from many surfaces. Saturate a section of paper towel and rub to remove. Reapply as necessary. Avoid use on plastic or acrylic as it will etch the surface. To remove spray from natural fabric, saturate a cloth and gently lift the stain. Test carefully in an inconspicuous area, if possible. Wash hands after use.
Are DESIGN MASTER Sprays toxic?
All Design Master sprays are non-toxic when dry. Be sure to apply the sprays in a well-ventilated area and follow the directions on the label.
Are DESIGN MASTER sprays harmful to the environment?
Design Master sprays DO NOT contain CFC (Chlorofluorocarbon) propellants and will not harm the ozone layer. They are not a significant source of smog. Design Master Sprays are compliant with all United States aerosol regulations, including all stringent air quality regulations in the state of California.
DESIGN MASTER cans are made from at least 25% recycled materials and are recyclable in communities that accept them.
Learn more about our environmental practices.
Where can I buy DESIGN MASTER sprays?
Visit the Where To Buy tab on this website. For further information contact Design Master Customer Service at 800.525.2644, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm EST.
Product FAQ
Can I apply a clear coat over metallic color?
Most metallic color sprays are achieved using dyed metal particles that lay near the top the finish. There they reflect light to mimic a metal finish. Some of these slightly exposed particles can wipe off in the hand. While applying a clear coat will add protection and durability to the finish, it will diminish the reflectivity and dull metal-like look.
Are COLORTOOL Sprays safe to spray on styrofoam?
Our COLORTOOL Spray colors including the metallic hues, ANTIQUE GOLD, BRILLIANT GOLD, BRILLIANT SILVER and COPPER safely color rigid, open-cell Styrofoam™ brand foam and FloraCraft® foam which are extruded polystyrene foam (XPS). (Note, Styrofoam is trademarked by the Dow Chemical company. The term is frequently and inaccurately used to describe other rigid foam products.) Metallic colors from our Premium Metals line have heavier pigment loads. Their formulations will distort the foam.
Follow directions on the label and spray approx. 18″ from the surface. Spraying too close to the foam surface will not give the solvent time to evaporate. If too much solvent lays on the surface, it will eat the foam. Apply light even coats of color. Be sure to let dry between coats. Build up coverage in steps. (Remember, it dries quick so won’t take long.) Heavy coats or not allowing color to dry between coats will leave the surface too wet for too long and could cause the foam to melt.
COLORTOOL Spray also safely colors closed-cell, SmoothFoam® craft foam which is expanded polystyrene foam (EPS). Spray in the same manner as directed above for safe application. Other types of foam products will require a test spray to ensure compatibility or no melting.
Can I spray fabrics with Design Master Sprays?
Yes, fabrics can be colored with COLORTOOL Sprays, Premium Metals and Just For Flowers. These sprays work on a variety of fabrics, generally leaving a slightly starched feeling to the fabric. Metallic hues sprayed on fabric will appear not as reflective as if sprayed on a smooth surface.
The touch of the sprayed finish will vary depending on the nap and texture of the fabric. For example, a ripstop nylon will have a smoother painted finish than a T-shirt cotton knit. Small, loose fibers of a cotton T-shirt (and similar fabric) will grab the spray color and make it slightly more prominent. When dry you can feel a slight roughness to the surface. A simple remedy is to take a piece of scratch paper and ‘sand’ the painted fabric. This will remove the spurs and smooth the finish but keep the color!
Can I wash these painted fabrics?
Washable fabrics that were colored with Design Master sprays can be washed. The color is not water soluble and will not bleed. No heat setting is required. The color will hold rather well, but after extensive washings the intensity of the applied color will fade.
Why did my painted finish result in a dull whitish look?
Painting in direct sunlight and on a hot, humid day will cause the spray’s solvent to dry too quickly. This “flashing-off” produces a dull whitish film on the surface and can occur in these conditions whether using a color or clear coat spray. To rectify, simply re-spray the item under room temperature, low-humidity conditions. Because Design Master sprays are lacquer-based, the new coat will re-solubilize the previous one, bonding with it in a normal finish.
Why is the spray not drying?
Chances are the color was applied to a pre-finished surface. Many items have a clear finish applied to them in manufacturing and is difficult to determine its type. Most Design Master sprays are fast-drying. If the surface isn’t dry within 30 minutes you are experiencing an incompatibility between finishes. Test spraying in an inconspicuous area is the best determinant of an incompatibility. Prior to application on vinyl, a coating of Design Master SUPER SURFACE SEALER will act as a barrier and allow the color to dry.
Why won’t this metallic spray adhere to terra cotta pots?
Some terra cotta pots have an invisible film of mold release that remains on the surface after manufacturing. It is difficult to tell which ones do and don’t. When metallic colors do not adhere to terra cotta pots, it is because mold release is present and needs to be removed.
To remedy, wash the pot in soapy water with a scrubber. Allow pot to thoroughly dry before re-spraying.