Car painting in metallic shades has its advantages and is very popular among car enthusiasts. But the cost of such paint is several thousand higher, which is associated with the laboriousness of the procedure.
The difference between metallic paint and ordinary enamel
Metallic paints can be of any color - gray, black, red, green, etc. All of them are distinguished by their characteristic metallic luster.
The color of the car is silver metallic - one of the most popular because of its versatility and practicality. Dirt and dust on such a machine are less noticeable, respectively, and you can wash it less often. Scratches are also less visible.
Typical automotive enamel consists of three main components: pigment, binder, and solvent. Metallic paint is more complex in composition. It has another fourth component - a thin layer of aluminum powder. Mixed with enamel, aluminum particles reflect light and create a metallic sheen. In addition, they protect the body from corrosion and the paint from premature fading.
Paint application procedure
Currently, there are three systems for painting cars in metallic colors - one-layer, two- and three-layer. The first is rarely used due to the difficulty of application. Three-layer is used when you need to get a white pearlescent color or create a complex effect (for example, a chameleon). Such paint visually changes its shade depending on the viewing angle. When painting in three layers, primer-toner and transparent mother-of-pearl are used as a base.
The most common option is two-layer painting. In this case, the body is first coated with a base and then varnished. The paint adheres well to the ground and dries quickly. If there are any defects, they are removed by polishing.
Metallic paint technology is generally more complex than conventional automotive enamel. The layer must be very even, otherwise any spots on the surface will be better visible. The technology implies three stages: a complex of preparatory work, the population of the base, varnish application. With a two-layer system, the base is applied in two layers, the second of which is drier. Each layer should dry naturally in 10-30 minutes, the exact time is indicated in the instructions for the paint. As a base, a paint is used that gives a metallic effect, which in itself does not have a gloss and resistance to atmospheric phenomena. To protect it, varnish is used. Before applying the varnish, it is diluted with a solvent and fixer. It is applied in two or three layers on a properly dried base to avoid paint swelling.
Usually, the procedures for painting a car in metallic colors are performed in a car service, but there are also motorists who do it on their own.
