GLITTER SCENERY & GLITTER FLOATS

GLITTER FLAKE SIZES

If you have a stage set or parade float your audience is going to be 15-50 feet away. This means that if you want the shine that glitter has to offer, you need a big flake. The chunky 0.040 is the one to start with. Any smaller glitter flakes will still sparkle, but it just isn't going to pack a big enough punch to wow anyone from far away. Stage lighting can be played with to get an even bigger sparkle and, of course, natural sunlight during a parade is going to be amazing.  Rule of thumb- bigger flakes = bigger sparkle. It simply comes down to the surface area that light has to bounce off of.

ADHESIVES FOR GLITTER

With sets and floats, you have a choice- base coat with paint or not. We recommend to base coat with a color of paint that is similar to (or slightly darker) than the color of the glitter you are using. Having the background the same color allows you to use less glitter and if a little glitter falls off during transit/handling the overall look will not be affected. The final bonus to paint is that the paint when wet will act like an adhesive. Simply paint, apply the glitter and as the paint dries it holds onto the glitter.

If you choose not to go with paint then we recommend using a dries clear glue (white glues will cause some glitter colors to bleed) or a spray glue. 3M Super 77 spray glue is best for large surfaces and when you are in a hurry. Design Master Glue for Glitter is not as strong but works on some foams.
Brushed on dries clear glues hold the glitter better over time. Just about any brand works fine. We like Mod Podge.

Note: Craft Glitter will stick fine to spray glues However, never spray it on top. It will melt and discolor the glitter!  Craft Glitter does not like to come in contact with solvents!

HARD EDGE VS BLEED

If you are doing multicolor panels you may want to bring one color right up to another color with a clean edge. Masking tape and plastic sheets will be your friend in these cases. Start at the top of your piece and work down (lot less work).
If you plan to do colors that bleed into each other it is recommended that you lay down each color with about a 1/2" to 1" space between them. When your solid color blocks are done you can carefully go in and work the two colors together in the open space. 

TYPES OF GLITTER

There are basically two types of glitter. Craft Glitter & Polyester Glitter.

For indoor stage sets, you can go with Craft Glitter. It is cheap and durable and packs a big sparkle. As long as you don't need to seal coat with a solvent based sealer, then craft Glitter is fine. If you do need to do a clear seal coat (like polyurethane) then you will not be able to use this type of glitter- it cannot come in contact with solvents. Option: If you over-coat with Mod Podge or PVA glue it will be OK. However, keep in mind that as soon as you apply an overcoat you will lose a certain percentage of sparkle.

For parade floats that go outside to be shown off, but are stored inside most of the time, you can also use Craft Glitter. If however, you have a float or set that is stored outside most of the year then you will need to go with the more expensive Polyester Flake glitters. Most Poly Flake glitter can handle sun, rain, solvents and just about anything you throw at them.

BASIC APPLICATION

With most scenery, you have a bit of an advantage in that you can often take your walls and set pieces and lay them down on the ground. Dropping glitter down is always easier than putting it on a vertical surface. If you are lucky enough to be able to coat your surface in this way, then be sure to toss the glitter into the air and let it drop. We do not recommend tossing it out sideways (like feeding chickens). Up and drop is the way to go. Shake off the excess.

If you have to apply it to a vertical surface then we recommend getting a plastic sheet and taping it to the bottom of your piece so you can catch the excess glitter (and re-use). Apply paint/glue to an area, grab the glitter in your hand and put your hand right up against the surface and allow it to drop against the surface. The entire surface will not coat, but you can always do this step over and over until you get full coverage. Throwing glitter at the surface from a distance is a favorite option (it's fun), but getting even coverage is really hard and the results are usually rather unprofessional.
Whatever method you use be sure to press the glitter into the adhesive to make sure it is sticking.