At DC Paint Solutions, we’ve tackled some unusual requests over the years – from leather spray paint to manufacturing a gag can with pH neutral water in aerosol form for the BBC. But when Christine and her team at Walters of Clydebank came to us with another gold paint project, we knew this one would be truly special. They needed a paint capable of adhering to glass that contained actual real gold – because when you’re working with Royal Salute whisky that ranges from £2,000 to over £25,000 per bottle, only the very best will do.
Having previously painted the logo on Royal Salute bottles, this time, we were tasked with creating three distinct gold finishes for glass ingots: millionaire’s gold, antique gold, and Indian gold. For a product this indulgent and sophisticated, attention to detail is absolutely everything.
Materials & Tools List
- Real gold powder (flour-fine consistency)
- Custom aerosol paint formulation
- Glass adhesion promoter
- Specialised mixing equipment
The Challenge
Formulating paint with real gold is a unique challenge that doesn’t exist with standard metallic paints. Most modern “gold” paints actually use plastic flakes to achieve their metallic appearance, but Royal Salute wanted authenticity – real gold or nothing.
The powdered gold we received was virtually dust-fine, but being actual metal, it naturally settles at the bottom of the aerosol can. We needed to ensure our formulation would allow the gold to mix properly with a good shake, relying on the agitator ball inside the can to redistribute the precious metal particles each time.
Top Tip: When working with real metal powders in aerosol applications, particle size is critical. We tested the gold powder to make sure it had the same consistency as flour – perfect for passing through our nozzles without jamming.
The Solution
After extensive testing and development, we successfully created three unique gold formulations, each with its own character. Using our extensive expertise, we were able to find the balance between the real gold content and the properties necessary for glass adhesion. This formulation ensured permanent bonding between the paint and glass while maintaining the luxury look Royal Salute was after.
Final Results
The finished glass ingots are absolutely stunning – each one truly one-of-a-kind. When you’re dealing with some of the world’s finest and most sophisticated whisky, anything less than perfection simply isn’t an option.
Thanks to Christine and her team for bringing this incredible project to us – it was brilliant to resolve another unique challenge!
