How are we, amigos?
In between soaking up all that gorgeous summer sun, why don't we talk to you a little about the different kinds of paint you can get on your car?
We know, it might not be quite as exciting as Fifty Shades of Grey, but the appearance of our set of wheels is something most of us care about, so it's definitely worth exploring.
Paint Types are a Thing
Paint colour is pretty important when it comes to getting a new car, right? But have you ever thought about the paint type?
A lot of car users might not actually be familiar with what types there are in general, each coming with differing amounts of available colours (green, red, yellow, etc.) within them. If you've ever been at a showroom or flicked through an automobile brochure, you've maybe already come across some of those very categories.
The paint type not only affects how your car looks, but also how susceptible it is to dirt and scratches, not to mention the car's resale value if you choose to go down the buying and selling route (we much prefer leasing, ourselves!). That being so, it's always handy to know a little about them.
Fifty Shades of Pearlescent
Actually, there's only a few shades of pearlescent, but more on that later . . .
Regardless, pearlescent paint is by far the most exotic paint type – shining luxuriously in that lustrous, blue-grey colour of pearls, creating an almost irresistible shiny shine. If you've ever seen a car that's multicoloured and seems to change hue as you walk around it, then chances are you've already seen one that's pearlescent.
As luck would have it, we good folks at LeaseLoco are here to tell you about the golden jewel that is pearlescent paint. AND how the other paint types compare against it.
So knuckle down, buckle your seat belt and let's run through them one by one!
What Are the Different Types of Automotive Paint?
Solid Paint
It only feels right to start with the most basic.
Solid paint is as simple as it gets, and the majority of vehicles (with the exception of luxury and prestige cars) offer it as a free option because it's the easiest type for manufacturers to produce. Most cars that you see out on the road are going to be coated in some form of solid paint.
Solid paint has virtually no shine to it, and in terms of the science behind it, it basically consists of two coats of paint topped up by a gloss lacquer. This helps to protect it from chips, dents, weather effects and the like. That makes solid paint the easiest to look after, even if it's not the most interesting to look at visually . . .
Small chips can be filled in with a touch-up pen (you can get one from Halfords and other car-crazy stores) in the shade of whatever colour the paint is. More drastic repairs are comparatively easy as well, since the paint dries quickly through the help of a heat lamp, if you've ever heard of one of those!
One major downside with solid paint finishes is that the colour palette is rather limited. You might only be offered the generic colours (usually white, black, red or blue), but you do at least get different shades within those colours (e.g. 'blood red').
It's no wonder then that a car user might think about splashing some extra cash on more advanced paint types, offering more variety.
Pros of Solid Paint
- Cheapest option
- Less cost to repair scratches and chips
- Neutral, unassuming appearance
Cons of Solid Paint
- Won't increase your car's resale value
- Less exciting
- Limited choice of colours
Metallic Paint
Metallic paint is the next step up from solid paint. It's basically solid paint but with metal particles mixed in, and its main job is to reflect light, giving a car a nice reflective shine to it (unlike solid paint, which has virtually no shine at all).
The effects are best seen in natural light during the daytime. Manufacturers tend to charge around £300 to £600 for a metallic finish, which is simply a reflection of the time and effort spent in applying it to the vehicle.
Not only are metallic paints more expensive to apply, but it's also more difficult to repair. After all, it's harder to get an exact match with the paintwork than it is with solid paint. On the plus side though, metallic paint does tend to hide smaller scratches and dirt better than solid paint. Just be careful when cleaning your car. Use proper car shampoo and ensure there's no grit on the sponge. It reallyyyy doesn't go down well with the paint).
Solid paint won't increase your car's value, but metallic paint will (though not as much as pearlescent), so just think of the benefits further down the line as well.
Pros of Metallic Paint
- More professional appearance
- Hides scratches better than solid paint
- Higher resale value
Cons of Metallic Paint
- More pricey than solid paint
- More difficult for repairs
Pearlescent Paint
Now for the most exotic.
It's almost impossible not to like the look of pearlescent paints (or 'Mica' or 'Pearl' for short), even if it can be a bit 'out there'. It's similar to metallic paint except the added particles are ceramic rather than metallic.
These ceramic crystals both reflect and refract light, meaning the light is slowed down as it passes through the paint, splitting into different colours. This can lead to some incredible effects as you walk around the car under certain light conditions. You'll notice how the colour changes like a wizard's robes, because instead of just a glitzy sparkle, cars with pearlescent paints are going to shine with deep and varying shades of colour that alter depending on what angle you're viewing it from.
Of course, most good things in life come at a cost, and that's no different with a pearlescent paint finish. It can cost you upwards of £500 to apply it (often in the thousands region, actually) and it's exceedingly rare on any cars outside the premium brands (so your Audis, BMWs, etc.). On top of that, pearlescent paint is more expensive to repair than metallic paint. But if you do end up selling your vehicle, it'll be all the more valuable because of its pearlescent finish.
Just be aware that if you want to drive something flashy that looks like it's came out of a body shop on Grand Theft Auto, you're going to attract a lot of attention, and not always the good kind!
Pros of Pearlescent Paint
- Beautiful colour variations
- Stand-out look
- Hides chassis scuffs
Cons of Pearlescent Paint
- Very expensive
- Can draw unwanted attention
- Difficult to replace damage
Matte Paint
Matte is a far rarer sight than either metallic or pearlescent paint, but we're still going to play devil's advocate and say that pearlescent looks better!
It's the rarest because it's also the most expensive, typically costing you thousands to have it applied, which again is just a reflection of how tricky the process is to do it. That and it's usually only offered on top-spec vehicles and luxury cars, so a bit of a double whammy there . . . Like with pearlescent paint, you'll have a car that looks really impressive and one that stands out from the crowd, but we think it's fair to say it might be a tad unrealistic for most.
Similar to solid paint, there's virtually no shine to a matte finish, but it's a much bolder, thick, and altogether more luxurious look (we might even say 'stealthy'), usually only offered in the colours of silver, grey or black.
If you're interested in the science behind it, there's a few different methods for achieving a matte finish, either by using a primer with a high epoxy content or a flattening agent in the lacquer. Whichever method is used, the paint always absorbs more light than it reflects.
Word of warning: be extra careful when cleaning a matte car. Abrasive polishes can lead to a trip to a body shop and a very hefty bill. You don't want that.
Pros of Matte Paint
- Looks the part
- Status symbol
Cons of Matte Paint
- Most expensive
- Difficult to clean
- Can't be polished with normal abrasive polisher
Summing Up . . . What Type of Car Paint is Best?
We certainly like the look of pearlescent paint the most, but whether you, your needs or your budget does is of course an entirely different matter!
Metallic paint is fairly accessible in terms of cost, and it makes you stand out a little from all the solid paint cars out there, so it's probably the most practical option for most.
In any case, we hope that we've given you an insight into how the finer car paint types, and especially pearlescent paint, can practically turn any car from zero to hero.
Choose wisely, amigos.
FAQs
What is a pearl car colour?
'Pearl' is just another way of saying pearlescent, just in case you ever see that term come up.
What does solid paint mean on a car?
Solid paint is the most basic, and often no-cost option offered on a car. It consists of two coats of paint topped up by a gloss lacquer.
What is the difference between metallic paint and solid paint?
The difference is that metallic particles are added to the finish. This is what gives a metallic car its shinier look.
Is metallic paint better than solid paint?
If you want your car to look shinier and have a more bold appearance, then yes! But just bear in mind that repairs can be more expensive due to the more advanced material.
Why does metallic paint cost more?
Because the effort and material involved in applying it to a car is more costly and time-consuming. By contrast, the process of applying solid paint is much more straightforward.
What is the difference between pearlescent and metallic paint?
The difference is that the added particles are ceramic rather than metallic. Also, pearlescent paint refracts as well as reflects light, creating a multi-coloured effect, whereas metallic just consists of one colour.