Steampunk Surfaces: Color Change With Flip-flop Pigments

Fascinated by the spirit of the Victorian era, Margarita Vulfert developed surface techniques for the design genre "Steampunk" as part of her master's examination. Here she shows her Miss Lydia Split surface technique with iridescent flip-flop pigments.

Author I Photos: Margarita Vulfert

My surface techniques and structures, which were specially developed for the science fiction genre Steampunk, open up new design options for lovers of this movement. But they are also suitable for design jobs in the catering sector or for wall design in the office.

Surface technology with flip-flop pigments

In my view, the most beautiful surface is the "Miss Lydia Split" technique. Due to the changing color effect depending on the perspective, it is an eye-catcher, which I also carried out in my employer's office.

The factory technology was modeled on destructive metal growth, be it scale or rust. Depending on the viewing angle, the surface changes color due to the so-called flip-flop pigment contained in the glaze, changing from green to red.

The overall color effect can be influenced by different background tones. The example shown here is a black metallic paint.

The “outgrowth” in this technique is placed diagonally with a hair-topping comb. The escape direction generated is not influenced by vanishing points in the room. The overall effect of the surface of the decorated wall remains almost smooth and is still structured.

The first episode of the series can be found here:

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

In the first step, the substrate is coated with a cement filler. The application is carried out over the entire area using a metal trowel.

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

After the material has hardened, rough bumps must be leveled with a grinding utensil. Please note respiratory protection!

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

This is followed by application of the filler with a toothed trowel. The rule is: apply generously. The mass should be as tough as possible.

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

After a drawing time of about five minutes, the surface can be leveled with a metal trowel.

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

Now a touring comb is needed, with which a kind of outgrowth is produced in diagonal alignment by dabbing into the still moist mass.

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

When the cement has dried, the surface is sanded and the tips of the outgrowth are leveled.

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

Now the surface is coated with a black metallic acrylic paint, ideally with a lambskin roller. Fill in all the wells!

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

The coating, which is still wet, is coated with a plastic trowel, thus equalizing the roll structure.

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

For this step, a hard rubber roller is coated with a flip-flop glaze. This avoids excess material on the surface.

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

During the subsequent coating of the surface, care must be taken to ensure that all depressions are left out.

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

Now this layer is also coated with the plastic trowel. The whitish glaze protrusions should disappear.

Photo: Margarita Vulfert

The specialty of the creative technique is the addition of the flip-flop pigment, through which the surface changes color depending on the angle.