Car paint question

mogwai · 16 Aug 2010 at 10:14

I am looking at getting a new car soon and one of the colours I like the look of is a non-metallic colour. Up until now I have always had mettallica paint on my cars.

Is mettallic really any tougher than non-metallic these days as all car paint is water based anyway?

jellybeard999 · 16 Aug 2010 at 12:25

mogwai said:
Is mettallica really any tougher than non-metallic these days as all car paint is water based anyway?

?

In all seriousness, the only difference is flakes of metal in the paint, so in theory, it shouldn't be any softer because it's just a solid colour.

Clarkey · 16 Aug 2010 at 12:35

For a start all paint is not water based, specifically the top/exposed coat is never water based. I don't know if any makers still use single stage for flat colours, drawback of that is the oxidisation (red to pink you see on Corsas all the time).
Anyway, flat colours look poor on cars, so don't get it.

Defcon5 · 16 Aug 2010 at 13:22

Clarkey said:
Anyway, flat colours look poor on cars, so don't get it.

I think solid colours can look good

eatcustard · 16 Aug 2010 at 13:28

Solid colours CAN look good, but only on some cars as Defcon has said

mogwai · 16 Aug 2010 at 13:32

I am thinking of one the new Fiesta Titaniums in Colorado Red. Photos in the link.

http:
//www.fordownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13774&st=15

Defcon5 · 16 Aug 2010 at 13:38

I like it

Clarkey · 16 Aug 2010 at 13:44

Oh dear, red too. Red looks poor on almost all cars too. Why get that when the new Fiesta comes in some quite cool colours?

Dave M · 16 Aug 2010 at 14:23

Mettallica lol

But no, it's the clear coat (lacquer) that protects paints both solid and metallic these days.

Regarding which is tougher, google "lacquer peel". I'd not say either was better, different makes and models may have harder paint though. Oh and red goes pink in the sun if you don't use a good wax. And a garage.

mogwai · 16 Aug 2010 at 14:34

Presumably I am not likely to see it going pink in the 3 years I would likely own it for?

Janesy B · 16 Aug 2010 at 14:37

mogwai said:
Presumably I am not likely to see it going pink in the 3 years I would likely own it for?

My Fiesta is red, 12 years old and not pink. Well apart from the front bumper.

Minxy · 16 Aug 2010 at 17:19

Most modern cars come with a clearcoat even if they are a solid colour. My Brilliant Red Audi definitely does so no worries of pink here.

Whether paint is metallic or not makes no difference to it's wearing capabilities. Being metallic purely means there is a flake in the paint. You'll also find that some newer cars have a metallic flake in the lacquer as well.

MeAnBoY · 16 Aug 2010 at 18:03

Clarkey said:
Oh dear, red too. Red looks poor on almost all cars too. Why get that when the new Fiesta comes in some quite cool colours?

I woud have agreed with that a while ago. That was until I got my MR2 in red and absolutely love it! In fact I might even get a red 200sx

It is a fair point that it can look gash on certain cars and obviously the colour can fade quite a lot quicker than other colours. Shame that.