The challenge: black looks great — but it overheats

Standard black pigments absorb a large amount of radiant energy. On exterior sets or under powerful lighting, black-coated elements can heat up quickly, creating real production risks:

• uncomfortable working conditions for performers and crew
• higher risk when touching or leaning against dark set elements
• more frequent breaks and slower work under heat stress

The goal is to keep the visual impact of a true black, but make the surface behave more responsibly under heat.

Our solution: a proven “cool black” pigment technology

We have direct access to a specialised manufacturing partner using anti-heat pigment technology in demanding architectural applications. One example is exterior window frames in extreme climates, where conventional dark colours can reach 70–80°C, while solutions formulated with anti-heat pigments can remain around 20–30°C under intense sunlight.

That same pigment technology is available in our range and can be integrated into production workflows without sacrificing the black look the art direction needs.

What this enables for production

By using an anti-heat black approach, the production can achieve:

• a clean, deep black visual result
• a cooler-touch, safer surface behaviour on exposed set elements
• improved comfort on set — less overheating stress for both performers and crew

In practical terms, the black can stay black — while the set becomes more workable, more comfortable, and lower-riskduring demanding shoot periods.

From the start, two constraints made this a serious technical brief:

• the system had to be water-based, and
• the expected demand was high-volume, meaning the result had to be repeatable, scalable, and production-stable— not a one-off sample trick.

The challenge: pearl in water-based isn’t the “standard route”

In many industries, it’s relatively straightforward to achieve dramatic pearl and interference effects in solvent-basedsystems. In water-based workflows, the same effect can be far more sensitive: stability, flow, orientation, and consistency under lighting can become difficult to control at scale.

At QHL, we aim to supply the lowest practical ecological footprint options whenever a production allows it — especially when the requirement is aligned with cleaner, crew-friendly workflows. In these cases, we don’t push back with “it’s not typical.” We treat it as a problem to solve.

The solution: cross-industry thinking, production-grade repeatability

During testing, we identified a pathway using a special additive commonly used in a different industry, enabling the pearl effect to perform reliably in a water-based system while keeping the workflow practical for production use.

This unlocked a stable approach where the team could control the look precisely — not only matching the intended green–violet shift, but also enabling structured variations without changing the base philosophy of the system.

Result: a controlled palette of six mix variants

The outcome was a six-variant mixing palette, created by adjusting two core components (“A” and “B”) within the same effect logic. This allowed controlled changes in:

• sparkle intensity and “pop”
• shift character under light
• overall visual tone, while keeping the system consistent and scalable

With the look direction validated and the workflow proven, the system is ready for larger-volume supply as the production’s core colour world.

Full sheen range: ultra-matt to high gloss

We supplied two ends of the spectrum, because different scenes, lighting setups, and art-direction targets demand very different surface behaviour:

• Ultra-matt water-based 2K clearcoat

Specified and delivered at <5 GU (60°) (gloss units measured at 60°) — an ultra-low sheen level used when the priority is light control, minimal reflections, and a “true matte” camera response.

• High-gloss clearcoats

Delivered at 80+ GU (60°) for a strong, clean, reflective finish where gloss and highlight definition are part of the look. This gloss system was supplied in both 1K and 2K variants to match different durability targets and on-set workflow preferences.

1K vs 2K options — chosen for workflow, durability, and risk control

In production environments, the right choice is rarely “the strongest product at any cost.” It’s about predictable results under time pressure:

• 1K options support fast, simple application with fewer mixing variables — ideal when speed and repeatability across a larger crew are the priority.
• 2K options deliver higher chemical and mechanical resistance when the build will see heavier abuse, repeated handling, or stricter durability expectations.

By offering both, the production could choose the safest option per set element, without compromising schedule.

Crew-friendly chemistry: extended usability after mixing

We also introduced a clearcoat option designed specifically for the realities of set work: after combining components, the material does not rapidly become unusable in the can. Instead, the curing mechanism is engineered so that crosslinking develops in a controlled way during the evaporation phase.

In practical terms, this meant:

• opened / mixed containers remained workable across multiple days,
• materials were far less likely to “die in the bucket” during schedule gaps,
• and the team reduced waste, emergency shortages, and last-minute re-mixing.

On a production, this is not a small detail — it directly protects time, budget, and consistency.

Why we can recommend durable systems with confidence

Our recommendations are not based on theory alone. Because our partner network includes teams working on high-traffic real-world environments — including sports courts, museums, hotels, and restaurants — we understand what actually performs when surfaces are exposed to heavy wear.

That real-world knowledge translates well into production needs:

• durable finishes that survive handling, resets, and repeated contact
• predictable maintenance behaviour
• and, where required, slip-resistance options (anti-slip) that balance traction and safety

Anti-slip: traction without creating a “hazard surface”

Where slip resistance is required, the goal is not simply “maximum grip.” The surface must provide reliable tractionwhile avoiding an overly aggressive texture that can increase risk in falls or cause discomfort for performers and crew.

In practice, that means choosing anti-slip solutions that are:

• appropriate for footwear traction (including athletic shoes)
• balanced for safety in real movement and reset conditions
• and repeatable across batches and application teams

Summary

The clearcoat package delivered:

• Ultra-matt (<5 GU at 60°) water-based 2K control
• High-gloss (80+ GU at 60°) in 1K and 2K options
• Crew-friendly handling, including a solution with extended usability after mixing
• Performance-led recommendations, backed by experience in high-traffic architectural and sports applications
• Optional anti-slip approaches where traction and safety must be balanced

The brief: match real samples — and keep it water-based

The production workflow started with a controlled reference set: we received five silver sparkle samples, applied onto panels by the build team. Our job was to translate these physical references into repeatable recipes that could be produced in reliable batches and supplied continuously throughout the build schedule.

A key requirement — and a major win for the crew — was achieving the effect in a water-based, environmentally friendlier system without compromising the visual result. That mattered on a busy stage: lower odour, cleaner handling, and a more crew-friendly workflow.

From sample panels to repeatable, scalable recipes

Once the sample set arrived, we built a structured matching process:

• Sample evaluation and target definition (sparkle density, flop, sheen, and base tone)
• Recipe development to reproduce each look consistently
• Small-batch test production for confirmation under the expected lighting conditions
• Ongoing supply of the approved colours during the production period

The most important outcome wasn’t just “we matched it once” — it was that the look stayed consistent over time, across multiple deliveries, and across different build elements.

Trust built fast: the scope expanded twice

After the first five finishes were approved and delivered successfully, the production increased the scope:

• We were asked to match four additional silver sparkle references
• Then later, five more new samples followed for recipe development

That progression is typical of productions when a system proves itself: once the team sees precision, reliability, and predictable repeats, they scale it across more elements rather than switching suppliers or improvising on set.

The feedback from the build team — including the scenic lead and set construction crews — was exceptionally positive, especially around:

• Accuracy of the matches
• Quality and consistency of the material
• Dependable supply once looks were locked

Beyond scenic: Prop department adoption

As the solutions proved themselves, additional departments started using the same finishes. The prop team joined the ordering workflow and has continued sourcing these materials through us — because the look, handling, and repeatability fit their needs as well.

Why we can deliver under pressure

We’re proud that we only mix and supply systems from manufacturers where we have direct relationships at leadership level. In real production conditions, this matters: when schedules tighten and larger volumes are needed fast, we can often secure priority production and move quickly — without compromising quality or changing the recipe midstream.

Ongoing supply

These finishes remain part of our ongoing supply to the same partner — proven looks, proven workflow, and reliable repeatability.

The key requirement was straightforward: keep the set structurally safe and dry, and reduce post-storm repairs to an absolute minimum — so the build could remain reliable and camera-ready throughout the shooting days.

The challenge: speed, scale, and real weather exposure

On large exterior builds, water ingress is not just an aesthetic issue. It can lead to swelling, deformation, delamination, and structural weakening, especially when mixed substrates are involved. Traditional waterproofing approaches often rely on multiple steps and extensive detailing work around corners and transitions, typically using reinforcement tapes and additional accessories.

At this scale, every extra step adds time, labour, and risk — and in wet conditions it also increases the chance of small execution errors becoming major failures.

Our approach: a faster, lower-risk waterproofing workflow

Already in the planning phase, QHL recommended a brush/roll-applied waterproofing system designed for fast application and dependable performance on demanding exterior set builds. The system’s key advantage for this project was the ability to achieve a robust, continuous waterproofing layer with a simplified detailing workflow — enabling the crew to move quickly while keeping quality consistent across a very large area.

Practical benefits for the build team:

• Faster application with fewer process steps
• Reduced detailing complexity compared to tape-heavy solutions
• Low material consumption (well under 1 kg/m² in typical use) — efficient at scale
• Reliable protection against repeated rain events during the build period
• Lower rework risk, which directly protects schedule and labour costs

Result: stable set performance during shoot days

Despite the stormy period during construction, the set remained in excellent condition and performed as required on shooting days. Our partner reported a high level of satisfaction, primarily because the system helped keep the build dry, stable, and predictable, while also reducing the amount of corrective work after heavy weather.

Ongoing collaboration

Since this project, we have continued supplying the same proven system for additional builds and applications — because the workflow is repeatable, crew-friendly, and reliable under real-world site conditions.

The brief wasn’t “just match a colour.” The production needed a solution that would hold up in real build conditions: fast execution, predictable repeats, and a system that could be rolled out across multiple departments without creating a complex product jungle.

The key requirement: one base system that works everywhere

To keep the workflow simple for the crew, the production asked for a single, universal base system that performs consistently on the most common set substrates:

• MDF
• wood / plywood
• PVC and mixed prop substrates

This is where many scenic workflows break down: different materials often force different primers, bases, and handling rules — which increases steps, introduces avoidable errors, and slows the entire schedule. The goal here was clear: reduce complexity without compromising the on-camera finish.

Effects-ready by design

A further requirement was that the same base system must remain effects-compatible, allowing the addition of visual modifiers (e.g. sparkle / metallic / special effect components) while keeping:

• adhesion reliable across substrates
• handling consistent for the crew
• batch-to-batch repeatability under controlled lighting conditions

In other words: the system had to be universal, water-based, and effects-capable — without becoming fragile or overly sensitive in application.

What we delivered: four new recipes + production-long supply

Working from the provided reference samples, we developed four new recipes within the chosen universal system and supported the production with continuous supply.

Deliverables included:

• recipe development from reference samples
• approval-ready outputs (repeatable looks suitable for camera & lighting checks)
• scalable batching for ongoing deliveries
• technical support to keep application consistent across the build

Outcome: portfolio adoption

The system met every requirement and performed reliably across the mixed-material workflow. As a result, the production added the new colours/looks to their internal portfolio, enabling repeat use on future builds — a strong signal that the solution was not a one-off match, but a standardisable, production-grade system.