In This Article
Finished in Diamond Red
This NXL ecig enclosure came together in Diamond Red — a sparkly red-to-maroon diamond pearl that flashes bronze in the sun and settles down subtle in the shade. @madscientist1134 built it on the same Alpha Automotive Paint system TSS ships to every customer: DTM primer-sealer for the black ground coat, Diamond Red basecoat, and HS Glamour clearcoat, all laid over a black ground coat so the color reads exactly the way it was built to.
Below is how the build came together — the prep, the products, and the steps you'd follow to chase the same finish on your own project.
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Download the Free PDF →Meet the Builder: @madscientist1134
@madscientist1134 ran this NXL ecig enclosure from prep through final clear with the same Diamond Red vehicle paint kit we ship to every customer — no shop-only products. The system is the DTM primer-sealer, Diamond Red basecoat, and HS Glamour clearcoat, plus urethane reducer, HS activator, and the TSS cheat sheet to keep the ratios straight. The kit you'd buy is the kit on this build.
The Color: Why Diamond Red?
Diamond Red is a diamond pearl that reflects a vibrant red-to-maroon with hues of bronze in the sun, and at a low load barely reads in the shade. It's built on Alpha's pigment-controlled binder, so it lays down without striping or mottling, holds crystal-clear pearl suspension, and carries strong UV resistance.
Sprayed over a black ground coat, Diamond Red gives you that deep black-to-red color flip — the black foundation is what makes the pearl pop at full saturation and read its cleanest, richest tone.
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See Diamond Red in person — risk-free.
Return the painted samples for store credit toward your paint.
Shop the Diamond Red Sample →Every Way to Get Diamond Red
Whether you're painting a full vehicle, a motorcycle, a guitar, or just touching up with a spray can — Diamond Red is available for every project size. Each kit includes matched products sized for the job.
Diamond Red Vehicle Paint Kit
$560.93 USD
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Diamond Red Paint Basecoat Midcoat
From$13.99 USD
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Diamond Red Spray Can Midcoat
From$33.99 USD
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Diamond Red lives in the pearl load — keep your coats even and fully flashed over the black ground coat. Uneven coats are what flatten a diamond pearl.
What's Inside the Vehicle Paint Kit
These are all the products included in the Diamond Red Full Vehicle Paint Kit. Every product is already matched and compatible — no hunting across brands, no guessing on ratios.
DTM Primer-Sealer (AP-7541) — AP-7541 DTM primer-sealer lays down the black ground coat — over black, Diamond Red delivers its deepest color flip and full, even coverage.
Diamond Red Basecoat — Diamond Red basecoat is the color coat — a red-to-maroon diamond pearl that mixes with reducer and sprays over the black ground coat.
HS Glamour Clear (AC-4521) — AC-4521 HS Glamour clearcoat lays the deep, glassy gloss over the color and locks in UV and chip protection.
Alpha Urethane Reducer (AR-3000 Series) — Alpha urethane reducer thins the basecoat to a spray-ready ratio for even, controlled coats.
HS Activator (AH-7100 Series) — AH-7100 HS activator catalyzes the HS Glamour clear so it cures hard, clear, and durable.
TSS Cheat Sheet — The TSS cheat sheet keeps every mix ratio and flash window at your fingertips through the whole job.
Optional Add-Ons
The vehicle paint kit has everything you need to go from prepped surface to finished paint. But depending on where your project is starting, these add-on bundles can save time and money on the prep and masking side:
Bodywork Bundle
$175.00
Body filler, abrasives, and everything for panel repair. Ideal if your project needs dent or rust repair before paint.
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Light Bodywork Bundle
From $92.99
Dolphin Glaze finishing putty and OptiGrit sanding abrasives. Perfect for filling pinholes, minor scratches, and light surface imperfections.
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Mask & Mix Bundle
$75.00
Mixing cups, strainers, masking tape, and masking paper. Everything you need for clean, precise masking and easy paint mixing.
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Linear Blocking Tools Starter Set
From $236.50
CNC-cut polycarbonate sanding blocks with lifetime warranty. Produces perfectly flat, straight panels for a professional finish.
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OptiGrit PSA Sandpaper Bundle
$64.99
Complete PSA sandpaper set in 80, 180, 220, and 320 grit. The full grit progression for blocking and prep, sized for long boards.
Shop NowThe Complete DIY Process
Step 1: Prep & Bodywork
Every finish this clean starts with the surface underneath. @madscientist1134 blocked the NXL ecig enclosure straight and knocked down the old finish with OptiGrit abrasives before a single coat went on. Skip this and Diamond Red will telegraph every flaw.
Step 2: DTM Primer-Sealer (Black Ground Coat)
A black ground coat of DTM primer-sealer is the foundation Diamond Red was built on — over black, the pearl reads its full black-to-red flip. Lay it uniform and let it flash before basecoat.
Step 3: Diamond Red Basecoat
Diamond Red basecoat mixes with Alpha urethane reducer and builds in smooth, even coats until the red-to-maroon pearl comes up evenly across every panel. Let each coat flash — patience here is what keeps the color reading deep instead of blotchy.
Step 4: HS Glamour Clearcoat
HS Glamour clearcoat, catalyzed with HS activator, is where the depth comes alive — it buries the color in gloss and gives you the wet, glassy finish you see on the finished build. This is also your UV and chip protection.
Step 5: Cut & Buff
Once the clear is fully cured, a light cut with fine OptiGrit and a buff brings Diamond Red to a mirror. Reference the TSS cheat sheet for the ratios and flash windows so nothing gets rushed.
Ready to Paint Your Own Build?
Everything @madscientist1134 used — DTM primer-sealer (your black ground coat), ready-to-spray Diamond Red basecoat, HS Glamour clearcoat, reducer, activator, and cheat sheet — in one kit.
Build Your Diamond Red Kit — $560.93 USDLooking for a different color or kit size? Browse all car kits →
See It in Action
TSS painting tutorials and kit walkthroughs — the answers we get asked most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Black. Diamond Red is a diamond pearl built to spray over a black ground coat — that's what delivers the black-to-red color flip and full, even coverage. The Diamond Red vehicle paint kit ships with the DTM primer-sealer for exactly this.
Yes. The same Diamond Red basecoat and DTM primer-sealer system works on enclosures, panels, and small custom pieces — this build is a custom enclosure, not a car. For touch-ups, Diamond Red is available in an aerosol spray can.
Keep the coats light and even and let each one flash. On a small part it's easy to over-apply, so reference the TSS cheat sheet for ratios and lean on even passes of Diamond Red basecoat over the black ground coat.
Every Product Used in This Build
Diamond Red Vehicle Paint Kit
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Diamond Red Paint Basecoat Midcoat
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DTM Primer-Sealer AP-7541 Kit | Alpha Automotive Paint
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HS Glamour Clearcoat AC-4521 Kit | Alpha Automotive Paint
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Urethane Reducer AR-3000 Series | Alpha Automotive Paint
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HS Activator AH-7100 | Alpha Automotive Paint
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Limited Time Deals
Clearance & Flash Sales
Discounted kits, closeout colors, and flash deals — check back often, these move fast.
Shop Current Sales →Big thanks to @madscientist1134 for running the system as designed and turning this NXL ecig enclosure into one of the cleanest Diamond Red builds we've seen. This is exactly what these kits were built for.
Stay connected with the TSS paint community: follow tutorials and color reveals on YouTube, short-form builds on TikTok and Instagram, and join the Facebook community group.
Want to be featured? Tag @thespraysource or email sales@thespraysource.com.
