Pigment
Gold paint may contain a blend of different pigments. Manufacturers will often combine white and black pigment to make gray, then blend in yellow pigment to create a gold tone. They add metallic pigment powder to craft paints for a more realistic finish while they usually skip the metallic finish in wall paints.
Binder
All gold paint includes a binder. The binder causes pigments to adhere together and affects the gloss, durability and texture of the paint. Binders can made of a number of ingredients, including water-based acrylics, oils and egg yolks. Gold paint typically contains equal parts pigment and binder. The more binder gold paint has, the higher the gloss will be. Gold paint with an egg yolk binder, tempura paint, will dry quickly and is best used when you plan on layering paint, rather than going for a translucent look.
Liqud
The liquid or solvent adjusts the viscosity in gold paint and influences its application properties. The liquid in old-based paints will often be a thinner oil to allow the thicker oils to spread, while water is the solvent in water-based paints. Once the paint is applied to a surface, the liquid’s evaporation permanently fixes the paint to its surface.
Mica Flecks
Mica is a mineral that naturally has a glittery appearance. Mica flecks are often in gold craft paints because they reflect light for a more realistic affect. They are available in craft stores and you can add them to gold paint separately to create a metallic luster.