I mixed the hy-tech ceramic beads into rustoleum topside marine enamel at the exact ratio as directed.
The theory is the hollow vaccuum filled ceramic spheres will rise to the top to the pain film forming a barrier which will act as insulation.
What actually happens is no different than if one put some fine sand in their paint. The grit is not close enough together to actually insulate anything, if indeed they are actually a hollow vaccuum.
It only effectively makes the paint into a sandpaper like surface that is impossible to clean. I put two layers down, hoping the second would fill thegaps in the first. Then put something like 4 or 5 more coats down without any additive, just to hide the sandpaper. After the 4th layer of additive free paint, it was still rough, and I sanded it with 220 grit and painted one m,ore layer. It is still rough. It collects dirt like nothing else and is so freaking hard to clean it is probably my biggest van project regret.
Not only did I wind up using way more paint that required, but wasting 5 days putting on one more coat of paint each day, as the directions state one coat every 24 hours.
I did this during a dry santa ana event so no overnight dew was affecting the outcome.
I do have an IR meter, but did not perform any tests which would have any relevence as the variables cannot be controlled. I bet the thickness of 5 layers of paint would alome increase the insulative value somewhat
I would gift this hy-tech paint to a loathed enemy, and spend time and effort insulating the inside of the van instead, and work on ventilation.
I am ashamed I fell for the marketing. I still have a bag of the ceramic beads, but have not had any use for making a rough slip proof surface into 100 grit sandpaper, which cannot be cleaned.
My recommendation is to not waste any time or effort or emotion on this product
