The Pegworks Tooth Lacquer Palette Series 1 by Fleet Street is a temporary pigment palette specifically formulated for colouring teeth, veneers and crowns in special effects productions and professional makeup. Application is quick, results are convincing, and removal requires no special products: just brush your teeth.
Technical specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|
| Product type | Temporary dental lacquers in palette form |
| Series | Palette Series 1 |
| Compatible activator | isopropyl alcohol 99%, Skin Illustrator standard activator, Slow Activator |
| Compatibility | Natural teeth, veneers and crowns |
| Removal | Brushing with toothpaste |
| Use | Temporary external use, teeth only |
What it's used for
This palette is designed for special effects makeup artists who need to temporarily and convincingly alter the appearance of teeth. It is the standard tool on film sets, in theatre, photography and any production requiring characters with altered or aged dentition.
- Simulate stained, aged or decayed teeth on fictional characters
- Create effects of cavities, dental necrosis or tobacco staining
- Temporarily darken or pigment veneers and crowns that do not absorb other products well
- Quick touch-ups on set between takes
- Theatre productions where the effect must hold up under stage lighting and perspiration
- Fashion or editorial photography with dark or post-apocalyptic aesthetics
How to use it
- Separate the lips and keep them away from the teeth throughout the entire application to avoid contaminating the surface.
- Thoroughly dry the teeth and surrounding gums with a tissue or gauze. Adhesion depends on the surface being completely dry.
- Activate the lacquer with isopropyl alcohol 99%, Skin Illustrator activator or Slow Activator, just as you would with any other palette in the Skin Illustrator range.
- Apply the colour with a fine brush directly onto the teeth, working in thin layers for greater control.
- Allow to dry completely before relaxing the lips.
- Once dry, run a moist tongue over the area to lubricate and help the lips glide without dragging the application.
- To remove the product, brush your teeth with toothpaste as usual.
Application tips
Pre-drying is key
Any trace of saliva will prevent the lacquers from adhering properly. For actors who tend to salivate excessively, press a dry gauze against the teeth for a few seconds before starting. If working outdoors in the heat, keep extra gauze on hand to dry between layers.
Colour control through thin layers
Do not try to achieve the final intensity in a single pass. Dental lacquers allow you to build up layers to fine-tune the shade. Always start with lighter tones and gradually add depth. It is much harder to lighten than to darken once the colour has been applied.
Compatibility with veneers and crowns
Porcelain veneers and ceramic crowns have very smooth surfaces that certain products do not cover well. These lacquers are formulated to adhere to those surfaces as well, but make sure they are equally dry and free from any dental cleaning residue before application.
Frequently asked questions
Can this type of tooth lacquer be used on people with braces?
With metal brackets, extra care must be taken to dry the areas adjacent to the metal, as saliva tends to accumulate around them. Pegworks Tooth Lacquer can be applied over visible enamel, but removal may require more careful brushing around the brackets. It is not recommended to apply directly onto orthodontic elastics, as they may become more persistently stained.
How long does the effect last once applied?
The result is temporary and its duration depends on the actor's activity: speaking, drinking or chewing will progressively degrade it. Under normal filming or performance conditions (without consuming liquids), it can last between 30 and 60 minutes before a touch-up is needed. For longer scenes, it is advisable to have the materials ready for touch-ups between takes.
What is used to activate this type of palette?
The Pegworks Tooth Lacquer Palette is activated in exactly the same way as the rest of the Skin Illustrator range: with isopropyl alcohol 99%, with the standard Skin Illustrator activator or with the Slow Activator for longer working times. Do not use water or lower-concentration alcohol: adhesion will be poor.
Is it safe if the product is accidentally ingested?
The product is formulated for use on teeth and is safe in that context, but it is not intended to be deliberately ingested. If the actor needs to drink or eat during filming, it is preferable to remove the dental makeup first and reapply afterwards. In the event of accidental ingestion of small amounts, there should be no issue, but always consult the manufacturer's safety data sheet.
Can it be used on teeth with composite crowns or implants?
Dental composites are more porous than porcelain and may retain colour with greater intensity. It is advisable to do a prior test on a less visible area to verify that removal by brushing is complete. In general, Pegworks Tooth Lacquer is removed correctly with toothpaste, but on highly porous composites it may require more thorough brushing.
What is the difference between these dental lacquers and acrylic resin dental stains?
The lacquers in this palette are alcohol-based pigments, fast-drying and easy to remove by brushing. Acrylic resin stains such as AcrylStains Film Standard offer greater durability and are applied to prosthetics or pieces made from resin, not directly onto natural dentition. For on-set work with actors, dental lacquers are the most practical option due to their speed of application and removal.
Can this palette be combined with other SFX body makeup palettes?
Yes, since the activation method is the same. In fact, in productions where you are simultaneously working with palettes such as Skin Illustrator FX Palette or skin tone palettes, you can use the same activator and the same (clean) brushes to work on teeth and skin within the same workflow. Always keep a dedicated brush for teeth to avoid colour contamination.
