Tippy Test Lab - Candy Coats Paint Set

Learn about TTCombat’s line of Candy Coats paints and how to use them effectively through my test pieces.

TTCombat Candy Coats Paints

TTCombat dropped their Candy Coats set a while ago, and I finally got around to giving them a proper try. These are ten translucent paints designed to turn your metallics into shimmering gemstones. Think boiled sweets, stained glass, or that perfect candy-apple car finish from the ‘50s.

What’s in the box?

The Candy Coat set comes with 10 bottles of 17ml each:

• Ruby Red

• Tourmaline Pink

• Aragonite Orange

• Citrine Yellow

• Sphalerite Yellow

• Idocrase Green

• Emerald Green

• Topaz Blue

• Sapphire Blue

• Onyx Black

Basically, a whole candy shop of jewel tones, plus a smoky black for shading.

How do they work?

Here’s the trick: Candy Coats are transparent colour filters. You slap them over a silver (or any bright metallic) undercoat, and suddenly that metal looks like it’s been dipped in coloured glass.

The light passes through the paint, bounces off the shiny undercoat, and comes back out glowing in your chosen colour. It’s the same principle as a boiled sweet wrapper on a mirror.

By airbrush, they’re buttery smooth. By brush, they behave like glossy glazes or coloured varnishes — which means:

• Thin coats = shiny tint.

• Thick coats = patchy pools.

• Smooth metallic base = chef’s kiss.

• Scratched base = every mistake under a magnifying glass.

How do they look?

• Ruby Red: proper candy-apple red. Like a sports car for your mini.

• Tourmaline Pink: neon bubblegum. Loud in the best way.

• Emerald & Idocrase Greens: the gemstone twins — one deep, one citrus-bright.

• Topaz & Sapphire Blues: cool, crystalline, very “magical weapon glow.”

• Yellows & Orange: warm, sunny, and surprisingly punchy over chrome.

• Onyx Black: not really “black” so much as smoky tint. Good for shading steel.

They all dry glossy, so expect some shine. If you prefer matte minis, a coat of varnish will tone them down.

Pros & Cons

Sweet stuff:

• Gorgeous jewel tones.

• Easy way to fake gemstones, energy glows, or lacquered armour.

• A full colour range in one set.

• Lower cost than chasing specialist automotive-style hobby paints.

Sticky bits:

• Brush application can streak or pool.

• Every bump and scratch in your metallic base will be visible.

• Less forgiving than Contrast-style paints.

Final Thoughts

TTCombat’s Candy Coats aren’t everyday paints — they’re special effects. When you want glowing plasma coils, lacquered samurai armour, or a gemstone scepter, they shine (literally). When you try to cover an entire model by brush, they can fight you.

An excellent way to create gemstones and amazing looking vehicles which I will be looking for any excuse to use!