metallic vs nonmetallic paint

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mwtaco

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metallic paint is always an upgrade or extra cost feature when you buy a car. but i have noticed its the nonmetallic colors that look wetter and overall more dramatic as compare to the metallic paints. example, black paint.

do you all agree?
 
Yes I agree. With metallic paint, it gives off that metallic flake pop which I do love. But you can't beat the deep wet look of a non metallic dark colored car.
 
I love metallic flake. The more flake the better imo.

Yes not metallic paint can look wetter, but I think metallic is more attractive to look at when polished.
 
This reminds me of a question that I've asked but never received a clear answer.

On a paint like I have on my cars; one is 'Black Noir Pearl' and the other 'Ivory White Pearl'.
Are the Pearl "flakes" in the base-coat paint, or is it a separate clear-coat with Pearl flakes in it?

What brought this question up was I bought a rear-lip spoiler for the Black car and provided the the factory paint code from the door jam.
When it came in it was the correct color of Black, but it was lacking the Pearl 'glow' so I returned it.
They told me the Pearl was added to the paint, but the color code didn't change because it is in the clear...
 
I think they add the flakes in the basecoat. Unless your car has a tinted clear coat. Hopefully someone else can comment on this as well.
 
rider9195 said:
I think they add the flakes in the basecoat. Unless your car has a tinted clear coat. Hopefully someone else can comment on this as well.
Click to expand...

I think that's right, although I recall reading about one paint that was terribly expensive because it had a separate layer of flake (but it was a custom paint for a show car).

This link has some interesting information about base color and flake sizes, and other things that affect paint color.
 
I believe "pearl" colors actually have a basecoat, a "pearl" coat and then clear. At least when I bought touch up paint for my dads Acura, I got those 3 layers .
 
Jaretr1 said:
I believe "pearl" colors actually have a basecoat, a "pearl" coat and then clear. At least when I bought touch up paint for my dads Acura, I got those 3 layers .
Click to expand...

-More than likely the same set-up at the OEM paint kitchens.
-The "pearlescent" is usually obtained by using flakes of mica...in the color/base-coat, or atop the color/base-coat.
-Metallics usually are obtained by the use of aluminum flakes either in the base-coat, or sprayed atop the base-coat, with a clear-coat applied over it.
-These (pearl/metallic paint systems) are some times called tri-coats
-A tinted clear usually creates a muted-look of the below color/base-coat.
-A clear-coat allows the true color/hue/flakes of base-coats to show through.

Pearl/metallics cost more from the factory (more material/steps/time) but even more costly when an aftermarket respray is needed.

This, of course, is not the whole story...but hope it helps some.
Thanks goes to AGO Forum member andrew b for including a very helpful link in his post.

:)

Bob
 
My car is black sapphire metallic and I love it, when I wash it with only optimum no rinse and going a step further with optimum instant detailer, it has a wet showroom shine. and that's not even after polishing, etc. Then seeing the flakes pop in the sun, is priceless..metallics all the way!
 
TimCar said:
This reminds me of a question that I've asked but never received a clear answer.

On a paint like I have on my cars; one is 'Black Noir Pearl' and the other 'Ivory White Pearl'.
Are the Pearl "flakes" in the base-coat paint, or is it a separate clear-coat with Pearl flakes in it?

What brought this question up was I bought a rear-lip spoiler for the Black car and provided the the factory paint code from the door jam.
When it came in it was the correct color of Black, but it was lacking the Pearl 'glow' so I returned it.
They told me the Pearl was added to the paint, but the color code didn't change because it is in the clear...
Click to expand...
Is this a Hyundai? I googled that color and it appears there are two versions of the black pearl, a BN and a NKA. So maybe they did the wrong one.
 
Finding a light to correct black metallic paint was a challenge for me because I had been using traditional halogens on non - metallic black.

I had to invest in an led headlamp, becuase it is the only thing besides metal halide and the sun that isn't overly bright (i.e. reflected back so bright by the flake that the defects aren't visible), but still shows swirls.

I prefer the look of non-metallic black.
 
Grimm said:
Is this a Hyundai? I googled that color and it appears there are two versions of the black pearl, a BN and a NKA. So maybe they did the wrong one.
Click to expand...
Yep, it's a 2012 Hyundai Genesis R-Spec Sedan.

Turns out it's a common problem with some Manufacturers.
They use the same base coat color, "AF" black in this case, but add something to it without changing the color code.

From reading on one of the Hyundai owners groups, "AF" is used for Midnight Black, Midnight Black Pearl and Black Noir Pearl.
For the "Pearl" versions, they add a Clear+Pearl coat between the base and the top clear. (tri-coat).

If I want to get a rear lip spoiler to match, I'm going to have to buy one un-painted and take it to a good paint shop.
 
Yeah, I found that out with our Buick Enclave. It's a Red Jewel metallic. I was polishing it for the first time and noticed the pad getting red on it and freaked out. Come to find out, it's a tinted clear, something I didn't know they were doing these days.
 
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