Unique effects in multi-layered car paint

Have you ever wondered what your dream car colour would be? And how much such a paint job might cost? Many people probably immediately think of the hit of recent years - white, especially with a pearlescent effect. We know that this effect is achieved by using a coating containing a mountain mineral with prismatic properties or synthetic compounds. The most effective colour is achieved with the use of natural rock, which is characterised by excellent cleavage and resistance to, among other things, temperature and chemical factors. It is a colour that amazes in full sunlight, giving the effect of micro prisms reflecting the rays. This colour definitely belongs to the expensive paints, but of course we can find much more complicated and at the same time more expensive solutions.

One of the interesting examples is the Bentley Continental GTC, which stands out from all the other cars coming out of this factory with a coating of powdered diamonds, which have been covered with as many as 32 layers of clear varnish. The result is an unusual colour that reflects light in thousands of ways. You have to pay more for such a paint job than for the car that will be adorned with such an elaborate layer.

Alubeam is not Amelinium

An interesting solution is the paint available for Mercedes SLS AMG owners, where we can find a stunning body finish called Alubeam. This coating mimics highly polished metal. Of course, the cost of such a car body is staggering, as it can be obtained for around $17,000. The price is due to the extremely time-consuming process, which involves 7 layers. To enjoy such a coating, it is necessary to obtain a smooth surface without any defects so that light does not refract on them. Compared to regular metallic paint, the pigment used for Alubeam has a diamond-shaped structure and uniform size, which gives the surface a deep shine. The process takes several days and is carefully monitored after each layer.

Butterfly effect

Recently, a colour that had been developed for 15 years for Lexus cars has been making headlines. The latest model from the Japanese manufacturer has been given the colour Structural Blue. The technological process of its creation requires 12 stages, and the colour was inspired by the blue wings of a certain species of butterfly. The secret is the use of 40 layers of paint containing hundreds of billions of flakes. This way, many more rays are reflected, giving a unique effect, as if the car were changing its shade.

Is it possible to do it cheaper?

The technological process of obtaining such effects is long and expensive, but even with a modest budget, we can obtain unique colours. Optical and special effects are found in metallic and pearlescent formulas as well as xyralic paints. In the case of metallic paints, the effect is achieved by adding the right amount of aluminium powder particles. Here, the effect can be changed by using the right grain thickness in the base. The pearlescent effect, on the other hand, has a fourfold ability to reflect split light. This splitting of light causes a change in colour tone when the surface is viewed from a different angle. Xyralic looks like a diamond under a microscope and therefore has a greater number of light reflection angles than pearl, which affects the visual effect of so-called sparking.

How can such a colour be reproduced?

There is a huge number of colours available on the market at the moment and the number is constantly growing with the presentation of new car models. All these colours can be reproduced thanks to formulation programs where, in addition to the basic colour (the so-called mother colour), we can also choose variants that differ slightly in colour or grain size. Most companies producing car paints have colour documentation, so-called colour boxes. There are two types of documentation available on the market - sorted by car brand and chromatically (by colour). The first type of colour chart has markings with the OEM code and the make of the car. This makes it very easy to check whether the colour we are interested in matches the colour on the car body – the only problem may arise if we do not know the OEM number. In this case, we use the second type of documentation (chromatic).

Multichem, the manufacturer of Profix paint, has a colour box that is painted with the same paint as on the mixing machine, which allows you to choose the right colour and, thanks to the chromatic arrangement, quickly find the colour you need, even without knowing the OEM code.

Three's a charm.

Three-coat paints have recently taken the market by storm and the colours are available in colour selection systems. The effect of Mazda's luscious red is known to all and is achieved by combining several layers of base. After applying the individual layers according to the technology, the right colour is obtained, which gains its depth after the application of a clear coat.

It should be remembered that every few years there are new pigments that significantly change the effect colour market in the palettes of many manufacturers. The pigment alone, without the right combination of other substances, will not create a durable and well-applied layer on the surface of the car body. You can mix individual effects to create even more interesting, vivid and spatial colours. To bring out the depth and ensure colour protection, you also need to take care of other factors by choosing the right clear coat. This final layer is not only for aesthetic purposes, but also protects the painted surface from solar radiation thanks to the addition of organic and inorganic nano UV absorbers. We can say in simple terms that clear coat is a kind of sunscreen for our car.

These additives extend the life of the paint, maintaining its appearance for many years. For best results, VHS paints are recommended, which have a higher number of solid particles, and thus a shinier surface that does not settle over time, unlike cheaper MS paints.

In conclusion, just a few years ago, the colour white was associated exclusively with company vehicles, as it was easy to put advertisements on them. Individual buyers were not at all interested in white cars. Salespeople would often even lower the price of such cars. However, this has changed and white or its variant, pearly white, is the most desirable and fashionable colour in car showrooms. This is confirmed by the data of car paint manufacturers, including the Profix brand.

However, ever-changing trends make it possible to create more and more interesting and complex effects on cars, which can be achieved with the right paint system.