Never fear I am here!
What pattern are you after mate?
I'd say 50% of dipping films are dictated by the base coat so if you want it white then white it shall be.
For example
Snake skin is completely dictated by the colour - White, purple, green and yellow paint would equal white, purple green and yellow snake skin.
Blue flame however requires a white base coat as the film itself already has the colour blue in it. The white simply provides a background colour for the translucent blue part of the film.