Four Types of Automotive Paint Finishing
Your car's paint job works to protect the body of your vehicle from the spread of rust and corrosion, but it is also a main contributing factor to the aesthetic appeal of your car. While all types of automotive finishing perform the same function, there is a great deal of variety in appearance. Understanding what the main types of automotive paint finishing are, and how they differ from one another, can help you choose the one that is the best fit for your vehicle.
1. Solid
Solid finishes are the most common type of paint job that are applied to vehicle. It's basically just a single coat of paint with a protective, clear finish on top. They are the most affordable type of automotive finish that you can have applied on your vehicle, but their real advantage is that any scratches or damages to the finish can be easily matched and covered up, ensuring that your vehicle maintains a clean aesthetic even across multiple finishing jobs.
2. Metallic
Metallic finishes are made out of normal automotive body paint that is mixed in with a metal powder, which is usually aluminum, to provide a reflective flair to the exterior of your car. This reflective nature can help mask minor dings and dents that can occur through normal wear and tear. However, it can be hard to match metallic finishes if any part of the paint job is scratched off in the future.
3. Pearlescent
Pearlescent finishes are effectively the same thing as metallic finishes, except, instead of metal powder mixed in with the paint, ceramic crystal is used instead. This provides a finish that will alter depending on the angle that it is looked at, as well as the amount of natural light that it is exposed to. However, pearlescent finishes can be difficult to match if damaged, just like metallic finishes, and come with a slightly higher price tag.
4. Matte
Matte finishes, unlike metallic or pearlescent finishes, are non-reflective, creating a dulled, flat appearance. Most commonly, matte finishes will come in darker neutral colors and can provide a minimalistic appearance to the exterior of your vehicle. However, the main downside of matte finishes is that any damage to the finish will be highly visible, and since matte finishes are not shiny, marks and dings can't be simply buffed out. This means that the entire finish will have to be replaced to restore its appearance, which can be expensive.
If your car's finish needs to be repaired, go to your local auto body shop, like Powers Transmission Centers.
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