Just How Do Metallic Car Paints Differ...

You've probably heard that metallic car paints are hard to match, it's certainly true of stone chip repairs - but just why is this?

Well, lets try to imagine the makeup of a metallic paint.

You actually have pyramids of aluminum - No - not big ones built by Egyptians! (all right, all right ... no more Egyptian jokes). You will get several of these pyramids on the head of a pin.

All of these shiny surfaces reflect light, and, if they're all at the same angle the brightness of the area will remain the same.

Now if, for some reason some of these aluminum particles tumble

a small area will appear lighter or darker.

Take a look at a bright silver car near a wheel arch , swage line for instance a bumper or anywhere else that the car body panel is - on the move - and you will see for yourself this effect clearly.

Any area such as this, like on a silver car paint, because the reflected light is on the move, you will see that it is easier to effect a satisfactory repair. ( imagine a car wheel for instance - the degree of light and dark is changing all the time)

When working on a large flat area such as a door panel, however, the slightest difference in the angle of these aluminum mirrors will show up either as light or dark areas- even though the paint is all the same colour!

You can see why we have to be doubly careful when working in this type of area that nothing can disrupt the spray pattern.

Of course this has less effect the more pigment (colour) has been added to the original manufacturers paint mix.