gender. As the tires spin and the rubber heats up, a cloud of pink or blue powder explodes into the air — creating a visual moment that's impossible to miss and impossible to forget on camera.
Here's everything you need to plan one.
How It Works
Colored cornstarch powder is packed into or attached to the vehicle's rear tires. When the driver performs a burnout — spinning the rear tires while holding the vehicle stationary — the heat and friction release the powder in a vivid cloud. Pink for a girl, blue for a boy.
Any rear-wheel-drive vehicle capable of performing a burnout works: cars, trucks, or motorcycles. The driver should be experienced with burnouts before attempting this at an event.
Step-by-Step Planning
Choose your venue. You need an open, flat surface with plenty of space around the vehicle — a private parking lot, an empty field, or private property. Never perform a burnout on a public road. Make sure guests are positioned well back and upwind from the vehicle.
Prepare the vehicle. The powder is typically packed into a container mounted near or attached to the rear tires, or packed directly into a purpose-built tire insert. Make sure the vehicle is mechanically sound and the driver is comfortable performing a controlled burnout.
Get your powder. Standard cornstarch-based color powder works perfectly for burnout reveals. Peacock Powder's pink and blue are both available in 5lb bags — most reveals use 1–2 bags depending on the container setup and how long the burnout runs. Order at peacockpowder.com with free shipping on all continental US orders.
Position your guests. Keep everyone a safe distance back — at least 20–30 feet — and to the sides or behind the vehicle, never directly behind it. Designate a photographer or videographer with a clear sightline to the reveal.
Capture the moment. Have at least one person filming video and one taking photos. The powder cloud disperses quickly — you want multiple angles and someone dedicated to each. Burst mode on a phone camera works well for still shots.
Reveal the gender. Rev the engine, hold the brake, release — and let the burnout do the rest.
Safety Notes
- Always perform burnouts on private property with permission
- Keep guests well clear of the vehicle and exhaust path
- Cornstarch powder is non-toxic and safe, but avoid direct inhalation — position guests upwind
- Have a fire extinguisher on hand as a precaution
- Check local regulations — some areas restrict burnouts even on private property
Ready to Order?
Peacock Powder's pink and blue are available in 5lb bags with free shipping on all continental US orders. Wholesale pricing applies automatically — the more you order, the more you save.