Updated: Oct 13 2026
Sabulador Lux and Sabulador Soft Valpaint - metallic sand effect on the wall
What Sabulador Lux and Sabulador Soft are
Sabulador Lux and Sabulador Soft are water-based decorative paints by Valpaint S.p.A. from its line of luminescent effects. What they share is a distinctive texture containing micro-grains - fine particles that catch the light and create reflections reminiscent of wet sand or glittering quartz. The effect is clearly three-dimensional and changes with the angle of the light.
Both products are for interior use only and need no dilution - they are ready to use straight from the tin. What sets them apart is the finish: Lux dries to a matt surface with a deep sandy glow, Soft to an iridescent semi-gloss that shimmers like silk or mother-of-pearl.
Key differences - Lux vs Soft
Choosing between Lux and Soft starts with one question: what mood do you want in the room? Lux is more organic - it brings to mind natural sandstone, a dry dune, a rough mineral in daylight. Soft is more elegant, with an evening character - its semi-gloss changes the colour of the wall as you move or as the lighting changes.
| Feature | Sabulador Lux | Sabulador Soft |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Matt with luminescent reflections | Iridescent semi-gloss |
| Character of the effect | Organic, mineral, stone-like | Elegant, silky, evening |
| Coverage | 8-9 m²/L | 8-10 m²/L (depending on technique) |
| Number of coats | 1-2 | 1-2 (or more for the marble effect) |
| Application techniques | Sand Dune, Grand Canyon, Glitter | Brushstroke, Streaked, Marbling on Meteore |
| Tools | Decorating brush | Decorating brush, roller, compact sponge |
| Glitter option | Yes (STAR P 400 / P 405) | No (effect built into the product) |
| On Meteore 10/12 | Not described in the TDS | Yes - coverage 14-16 m²/L, marble effect |
| Interior style | Rustic, boho, organic, loft | Glamour, modern classic, Art Deco |
Technical data from the TDS
| Parameter | Sabulador Lux | Sabulador Soft | Primart 600 (primer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Luminescent effect paint | Luminescent effect paint | Primer |
| Use | Interiors | Interiors | Interiors |
| Coverage | 8-9 m²/L | 9-10 m²/L (Brushstroke), 8-9 m²/L (Streaked), 14-16 m²/L on Meteore 10/12 | as per label |
| Number of coats | 1-2 | 1-2 (more for marble) | 1-2 |
| Touch dry | 1h at 20°C | 1h at 20°C | 4h at 20°C |
| Time between coats | 3-4h at 20°C | 3-4h (2h for Brushstroke/Streaked) | 4h at 20°C |
| Full cure | 24h at 20°C | 24h at 20°C | - |
| Application temperature | +5°C to +30°C | +5°C to +30°C | as per TDS |
| Tool | Decorating brush | Decorating brush, roller, sponge | Roller or brush |
| Dilution | Ready to use | Ready to use (on Meteore 10: 20-30% water) | 15-50% water |
| Washability | Yes, after 15 days | Yes | - |
| VOC | max. 6.6 g/L | max. 23 g/L | - |
| Shelf life | approx. 2 years | approx. 2 years | - |
| Pack sizes | 1L, 2.5L, 5L | 1L, 2.5L, 5L | - |
Source: Valpaint S.p.A. technical data sheets, no. SC 00206 (Sabulador Lux, edition 7/2019) and SC 00228 (Sabulador Soft, edition 5/2020).
What you need for application
Below is the complete list of materials and tools. Prices are pulled live from the product pages at mybudio.eu.
Products with a metallic shimmer effect
Sabulador Lux application techniques
Sabulador Lux offers three application techniques - all done with a decorating brush, working on no more than 1-2 m² at a time. Practising on a sample board before working on the wall is essential.
- Application Apply Sabulador Lux with a decorating brush over 1-2 m², laying on small amounts of paint unevenly with alternating strokes in all directions. Tool: decorating brush
- Shaping the texture (after 5-10 min at 20°C) Go over the surface with a dry decorating brush (no paint), moving and smoothing the grainy structure in all directions to create the dune effect. Remove brush marks with softer, lighter strokes. Timing: 5-10 min after application
- Application Apply Sabulador Lux with a decorating brush over 1-2 m², using diagonal or vertical strokes 10-15 cm long - irregular, in one direction. Tool: decorating brush
- Shaping the layers (after 5-10 min at 20°C) Go over the surface with a dry decorating brush in the same direction as the previous strokes, smoothing the grainy part and strengthening the layered effect. Remove brush marks with lighter strokes. Timing: 5-10 min after application
- Preparing the mix Add STAR P 400 Silver or STAR P 405 Gold additive to Sabulador Lux at 40 g per 2.5 L of paint. Mix thoroughly before use. Ratio: 40 g of additive per 2.5 L of Sabulador Lux
- Application and shaping Proceed exactly as for the Sand Dune Effect - apply with a decorating brush over 1-2 m², then shape with a dry brush after 5-10 min. The glitter particles will show within the sand texture. Tool: decorating brush
Sabulador Soft application techniques
Sabulador Soft offers more techniques than Lux - from a simple brushstroke effect to advanced marbling on Meteore 10 and 12. It can also be used as a finishing coat over decorative bases already applied.
- First coat Apply Sabulador Soft with a decorating brush, working in all directions. Allow approx. 2h at 20°C. Tool: decorating brush
- Second coat After 2h, apply a second coat using the same technique for the full iridescent effect. Interval: approx. 2h at 20°C
- Rolling on Apply Sabulador Soft with a roller in all directions, finishing with a vertical top-to-bottom stroke. Tool: roller
- Forming the streaks (wet paint) Immediately after rolling, draw a spatula (trowel) from top to bottom and back, leaving streaks as straight as possible. Allow approx. 2h at 20°C. Tool: spatula / trowel
- Second coat Repeat the same roller and spatula techniques. Fully cured after 24h. Interval: approx. 2h at 20°C
- Stage I - Meteore 10 Apply Meteore 10 over the whole wall with a steel trowel. While the product is still wet, go over it with a brush to create irregular, wavy grooves running diagonally from top to bottom. Tools: steel trowel, decorating brush
- Stage II - smoothing Meteore 10 (after 30-40 min) Mist the wall with water and smooth Meteore 10 with a steel trowel. Allow 24h at 20°C. Timing: 30-40 min after applying Meteore 10
- Stage III - Sabulador Soft (1st and 2nd coat) Apply Sabulador Soft (diluted 20-30%) with a compact sponge - two coats with full coverage, 4h at 20°C between them. Tool: compact sponge
- Stage IV - creating nuances Apply a third coat of Sabulador Soft with a sponge, then lift off some of the colour with a damp sponge, wiping over the smoother areas. Leave more colour in the grooves - that is where the marble veins form. Optional: a fourth coat of Sabulador Soft in a different colour in the grooves
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Where to use it
Both products are for interior use only - they are not weather-resistant. They perform best in rooms with controlled humidity and temperature.
| Room / condition | Sabulador Lux | Sabulador Soft |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | Yes - organic character in natural light | Yes - shimmers under lamp light |
| Bedroom | Yes - subdued, calming | Yes - elegant, romantic |
| Hallway / entrance | Yes - a striking welcome wall | Yes - especially under artificial light |
| Study / library | Yes - mineral, timeless | Yes - a prestigious feel |
| Bathroom | Not recommended - moisture resistance not confirmed in the TDS | Not recommended |
| Kitchen | Not recommended | Not recommended |
| Outdoors | No - interiors only | No - interiors only |
| Interior style | Boho, organic, rustic, loft, japandi | Glamour, modern classic, Art Deco, Hollywood Regency |
Frequently asked questions about Sabulador Valpaint
What is the difference between Sabulador Lux and Sabulador Soft?
Sabulador Lux dries to a matt finish with luminescent sand reflections - an organic, mineral look. Sabulador Soft has an iridescent semi-gloss finish - it shimmers like silk and changes its appearance with the angle of the light. Choose Lux for natural, daylight interiors and Soft for elegant spaces with lamp lighting.
How many m² does 1 litre of Sabulador cover?
Sabulador Lux: 8-9 m²/L in 1-2 coats. Sabulador Soft: 9-10 m²/L for the Brushstroke technique and 8-9 m²/L for Streaked on smooth surfaces. On Meteore 10 or Meteore 12, the coverage of Sabulador Soft rises to 14-16 m²/L thanks to the texture of the base. Data from Valpaint S.p.A. TDS.
Which primer should I use under Sabulador?
The manufacturer specifies Primart 600 Valpaint. On new surfaces: one coat diluted with 15-20% water, allow 4h at 20°C. On old surfaces: first a coat diluted with 50% water as a consolidator, then after 4h a coat diluted 15-20%. The exception is applying Sabulador Soft on Meteore 10/12 - there the Primart primer is skipped.
Can I add glitter to Sabulador?
Yes, but only to Sabulador Lux. You can add STAR P 400 Silver or STAR P 405 Gold additive at 40 g per 2.5 litres of paint. The result is Sand Dune with Glitter - gold or silver particles sparkling in the sand texture. Sabulador Soft has a built-in iridescent effect and needs no additives.
Can I apply Sabulador myself?
Yes. Both products are designed for DIY application indoors. Key steps: practise the technique on a wet sample board before working on the wall, work on small areas of 1-2 m² at a time, and keep to the texture-shaping time (5-10 min for Lux). The manufacturer recommends watching the video tutorial before application.
How do I clean a wall finished with Sabulador?
Sabulador Lux can be washed with water and ordinary cleaning products 15 days after application. Sabulador Soft is also washable. Use a soft cloth or sponge - do not use abrasive pads or harsh chemicals, which can damage the texture.
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