How to Paint AB Bricks the Right Way – The Best Tips for Frustration-Free Work

AB drills give every diamond painting a mesmerizing Aurora Borealis shimmer, adding sparkling highlights to the design. But their special coating also comes with a few unique characteristics. In this article, you’ll learn why AB drills behave differently from regular diamond painting stones and what tricks you can use to set them easily.

Between Brilliance and Challenge: AB Coating

Anyone working with AB drills (Aurora Borealis drills) for the first time will quickly notice that they’re different from regular diamond painting drills. While conventional drills can usually be picked up with the diamond painting pen and placed on the canvas without any trouble, AB drills may require a bit more finesse.
The reason for this is the special Aurora Borealis coating, which creates the characteristic rainbow shimmer. This additional coating alters the surface of the drills and thus affects how wax or putty adheres to them. Depending on the wax or putty used, adhesion can vary: Some AB drills are difficult to pick up, while with others, the wax detaches from the tip of the diamond painting pen when placed on the canvas and sticks to the drill.

Common problems with AB bricks:

• AB drills are harder to pick up than regular drills.
• The wax sticks to the drill and comes off the tip of the diamond painting pen.
• Wax residue may remain on the surface of the drill.
• Placing AB drills takes longer and can be frustrating.

The good news: With a few simple tricks, you can quickly get these challenges under control. Many of the following tips come directly from the diamond painting community and have proven effective in practice.
Have you ever worked with AB drills before? In our shop, you’ll find many diamond painting designs featuring beautiful AB drills that add that special something to every motif. Just give it a try yourself and experience the unique shimmer of AB drills.

1. The Right Adhesive Material: Optimizing Wax and Putty for AB Blocks

Not every type of wax or putty is equally suitable for AB drills. Due to their special Aurora Borealis coating, these drills have a different surface, which can make them feel different to handle than regular diamond painting drills.
A common mistake is working with wax that’s too fresh or too sticky. While this holds the AB drill very securely, it can prevent the drill from releasing cleanly from the diamond painting pen when placed on the canvas. Instead, the wax sticks to the drill or is even pulled out of the tip of the pen.
Many experienced diamond painters therefore prefer to use wax that has already been “worked in” a bit for AB drills. With use, the adhesive strength becomes slightly weaker and more controlled. With putty, too, it can help to work it in a bit before use to slightly reduce its adhesive strength. The goal isn’t for the drill to stick as tightly as possible to the pen—but rather to strike the right balance: The drill should be held securely but still be easy to place back onto the canvas.
Tip: If you’re using new wax, start by placing a few regular drills before moving on to the AB drills.

2. The Right Technique: Loosen the Diamond Painting Pen from the Side

It’s not just the material that determines whether AB drills can be placed easily. The motion used when placing them also plays an important role.
Many people pull the diamond painting pen straight up after placing a drill. With AB drills, this motion can cause the bond between the wax and the drill to be stronger than the bond between the wax and the pen tip.
A slight sideways motion works better:
Carefully place the drill on the canvas, release the pressure, and gently twist or roll the diamond painting pen away to the side.
This motion allows the drill to be released from the tip in a more controlled manner and reduces the risk of the wax sticking to the drill.
Especially with AB drills, this small change in technique can make a big difference.

3. The Pro Tip: A Dedicated Diamond Painting Pen for AB Drills

If you frequently work with AB drills, using a separate diamond painting pen can make the process much easier.
The advantage: The wax or putty you use is precisely tailored to the unique properties of AB drills. You don’t have to constantly switch between regular drills and AB drills or readjust the material.
Many experienced diamond painters deliberately use a wax or putty with slightly lower adhesive strength for their AB pen. After a short adjustment period, this creates a reliable tool that makes setting AB drills much more relaxed.
Having your own dedicated AB pen is especially practical when a picture contains many AB drills or if you regularly work with this special type of drill.

4. Alternative Tools for AB Bricks

Not every diamond painting pen or wax works equally well with AB drills. That’s why changing your technique can sometimes help.
For individual AB drills, for example, fine tweezers can be a good alternative. This prevents any contact between the wax and the delicate coating, allowing the drill to be placed directly.
Wax pens can also be a good solution for some painters, as they offer a different type of adhesion than traditional wax or putty in a diamond painting pen.
Especially with AB drills, it’s sometimes worth not fighting the material but choosing a different method instead. The right diamond painting accessories can help you find the technique that best suits your own working style.

5. When Nothing Else Works: The Water Method

If AB drill are difficult to pick up with the diamond painting pen, or if the wax comes off the tip and sticks to the drill when placing it, a tiny amount of moisture can work wonders.
To do this, lightly moisten the tip of the pen—for example, by briefly dabbing it on a damp cloth or sponge. The tiny amount of water alters the adhesion between the wax and the AB coating. This often makes it easier to pick up the drills again and place them just as neatly on the canvas.
Important: The tip should be only slightly damp and under no circumstances wet. Even a minimal amount of moisture is enough to positively affect adhesion. Too much water, on the other hand, can reduce the wax’s adhesive strength.
This simple trick has proven effective time and again in the diamond painting community and is particularly popular when working with AB drills. If the wax and AB coating just aren’t working together optimally, a slightly dampened diamond painting pen can often make all the difference.

Small Tricks, Big Difference

Over time, every diamond painter develops their own preferences and figures out which combination of wax, putty, pen, and technique works best. Not every tip works equally well for everyone—sometimes it takes a little trial and error to find the perfect solution.
However, proper preparation and a few small adjustments can make a big difference. With the right tricks, AB drills quickly shed their reputation for being difficult and become what they truly are: beautiful, sparkling highlights that make every diamond painting even more special.
Want to try out these tips right away? Our Diamond Painting Mini Sets are perfect for learning new techniques and practicing how to work with AB drills. These small projects contain a particularly large number of special drills —including numerous AB drills —and thus offer a great opportunity to discover the fascinating Aurora Borealis shimmer for yourself.