Metallic (paint for cars): features, application and feedback

Many car owners, buying a regular car, read in the ad or in the specification to the car that the body is painted metallic paint. Sellers and manufacturers indicate that the latter has a lot of advantages. So, cars treated in this way are more expensive than cars in conventional paint. Why is this happening? Let's find out what metallic is (paint), why each car owner dreams about it and why it needs to be paid extra.

Composition of conventional enamels

Before talking about the characteristics of metallic, you need to remember the composition of ordinary ordinary enamel. It consists of three basic components:

• dye;
• connecting link;
• solvent.

The dye, or pigment, is a composition in the form of a fine powder. This is the component that forms the color of the paint. In addition, pigments can have other properties. So, some dyes allow additionally to protect the surface of the body from corrosion.

A link means a layer that holds a powdery dye on the surface. When the process is completed and the enamel dries, it is due to this connecting link on the painted surface that an even shiny layer is formed.

The main task of the solvent is to make the paint liquid. This is necessary for more convenient application of it to the body. After all, as a rule, the paint is applied using sprayers. Although these components and occupy a considerable volume in the enamel, the main function of it - it's still dissolving the paint. In addition, the composition after the end of staining should quickly evaporate from the surface. And often manufacturers of enamels as solvents use rapidly evaporating liquids.

We have listed the main components of the traditional auto-enamels, which are painted most of the cars in the basic configuration. And further we will consider, than from them the paint metallic for an auto differs.

Auto-enamel metallic: composition

The paint described differs from the traditional more complex composition. In the standard, as already mentioned, contains three components: dye, "base" and solvent. But in this enamel, along with the three components mentioned, there is one more component - aluminum powder.

When its fine particles are mixed with the paint, a metallic shine effect is created. This is the first reason for choosing a metallic, - the paint really looks very impressive.

The particles of aluminum powder reflect the rays of light, and create a glow effect. However, for the beauty you need to pay. The technology of coating with such a paint is much more complicated than with ordinary compositions. Enamel should lie flat on the surface. If the composition is applied unevenly, spots will appear. And the problem is that these spots will be more noticeable on this paint.

There is another property that distinguishes metallic - paint, due to the content of aluminum powder in it, protects the color from burning out, and the body - from corrosion. The cost of a car painted with it is higher, because of the more complex mixture used to cover the body, and also because of the rather complex application technology.

Operating principle

Works paint metallic on the basis of the principle of light reflection. The fine aluminum shavings, which are in its composition, serve as microscopic mirrors. The particles reflect the light that falls on them. This, as we have already mentioned, causes a characteristic metallic luster.

In addition to pigments that create similar effects, the colors also contain color components that provide a shade. Unlike monochrome enamels, where opaque dyes are used, light-permeable substances must be used in metallic materials. Aluminum powder is found in the dye medium. Thus, only a transparent pigment allows the rays of light to reach the aluminum and be reflected in the powder.

The principle of action can be reduced to the fact that light, getting on the surface of the LCV, passes through a translucent paint, resulting in the formation of rays of a certain color. Then they fall on aluminum. Then they are reflected and again pass through the translucent paint to the outside. Therefore, not only the color of the car is seen , but also a special sparkling visual effect is observed. This works metallic. The paint is not only beautiful, but also practical.

From bicycle to car

Such a composition in the USSR was not used at all on automobile bodies. In the USSR, "Victory" and "Volga" were treated with simple colors - white, gray, beige. Metallic also came to a large country on the frames of bicycles, which were produced in Kharkov. Frames sparkled with aluminum powder, reflecting the rays of light from under the thick enamel film. It was nothing more than a single-layer metallic of the first generation. It differed in that the aluminum powder was contained throughout the thickness of the paint, which was approximately 50 μm.

Judging by the reviews, this paint was then considered interesting. But many were repelled by her weak resistance to various influences. In the process of exploitation, moreover, it was abraded - the powder was oxidized and left in the wind. The surface acquired a dull white color. In order to avoid this, experts have developed a two-layer system. Over the paint began to apply a clear varnish.

So there was a two-layer metallic. The paint proved to be more durable and durable, and also effective. The lacquer served as a magnifying glass. Then the paint was used for cars.

Black metallic: paint features

Black metallic, like white, and also silvery, is now one of the most popular. By the way, psychologists are sure that people with leadership qualities, respectable and with good taste choose this color. Due to their special representativeness, black cars are especially popular in Germany, Europe and Russia.

Also this color is considered the best background for creating inscriptions. Any airbrushing looks on a black background very expensively and effectively.

Automotive paint metallic, in contrast to traditional, is characterized by a higher level of protection of the body. The car treated with such enamel has better protection against burnout, corrosion and chips. And at the same time, the owners of black cars complain that after a few months of using the machine on the surface of the body appears the so-called spiderweb, as well as abrasions. In addition, black color reduces the size of the car (of course, only visually). A black metallic body more often requires polishing than any other.

Gray color: features

Along with black cars, silver cars are especially popular, regardless of the functionality and prestige of a particular brand. These trends are valid not only when buying a car from the cabin, but also at its sale. The main reason why people choose gray for themselves is, of course, high practicality. According to reviews, the paint is gray metallic not marking, the car can be rarer to wash. It is not so visible dust. And any splashes and drops of dirt merge with the body color.

Silver color is the color of high technologies, progress and innovations. The driver expects from such a car spectacular equipment and the attention of others. This color is associated in many with high prices and presentable.

Metallic Silver: Features

According to motorists, if the body is painted metallic silver, the car will not lose its color under the influence of sunlight and does not overheat. In this shade, even scratches are hardly visible. This coating, which poured into the sun, looks very rich. And as a pleasant bonus - additional body protection.

Silvery color, according to most, looks expensive and prestigious.

If too conservative black did not like it, then, as experts advise, it can perfectly replace it with gray or silver. It's a neutral shade. It is well suited for both a family car, and for purely feminine or masculine.

Conclusion

Another serious plus of these colors is a good visibility on the road. A shiny surface increases safety. For those who wanted this unique effect, but did not accept the standard black and gray colors, you can choose any other shade of metallic paint - they can be viewed in the catalog.