What are the types of car paint?
3 Answers
There are two types of car paint: solid paint and clear coat paint. Here is the relevant introduction about car paint: 1. Overview: Car paint is a protective film sprayed on vehicles, a type of coating that makes the car body less susceptible to corrosion and gives an aesthetic impression. Different car paints produce different effects, and the quality of the paint itself, along with the technology and a good painting environment, are crucial. Most car owners invest more effort into beautifying their vehicles, as it is a way to express individuality. 2. Advantages: The paint film has excellent fullness, high gloss, high hardness, and good adhesion. It possesses superior mechanical properties, outstanding gloss retention, weather resistance, and abrasion resistance, as well as good resistance to acids, alkalis, alcohol, and gasoline.
Last time a friend asked me how to choose car paint, I thought it made sense to simply divide it into three layers. The outermost is the clear coat, like an umbrella for the car, mainly protecting against scratches and corrosion. The middle is the base coat, which is the key layer that determines the car's color. The innermost is the electrocoat, often called the primer, directly applied to the car body to prevent rust. Currently, there are three mainstream car paint processes: standard paint is low-cost but has average hardness and shows swirl marks easily; metallic paint contains aluminum flakes, making it shiny and textured under sunlight, and it hides minor scratches well; pearl paint contains mica flakes, changing color with light, and while it's challenging to repair, it looks stunning. Japanese cars commonly seen on the road often use standard paint, while European cars prefer metallic paint to enhance a premium feel.
As someone who frequents repair shops, I can feel the difference in paint quality. Standard single-layer paint is cost-effective, but under sunlight, the car body can look plasticky. Metallic paint requires a clear coat on top, resulting in a smoother finish that resists chipping down to the primer. Pearl paint is particularly complex to mix, requiring three-layer application for a pearlescent effect in sunlight, though color matching during repairs is tricky. There's also water-based paint, eco-friendly but less durable, prone to dulling after repeated rain exposure. Seasoned drivers know that aftermarket paint can't match the factory-baked finish—paint thickness matters more than color choice.
