What Is the Difference Between Pearl & Metallic Paint?
by Becky Martinez
Metallic and pearl paints are commonly used in the auto industry. Both offer brilliance to the vehicle being colored. Major differences lie in materials used to make the paints and their final finishes.
Components
Miniature slivers of reflective substance, usually aluminum, are added to metallic paints. Tiny flecks of mica, a man-made substance that glows much like an innate pearl, are added to pearl paints.
Finish
Materials in metallic paints reflect light, giving the object painted an even, glittery appearance. Mica in pearl paints refracts light, creating a color-shifting effect in the object colored.
Applications
Metallic paint finishes are considered racy and are most often used on sports cars. Pearl paint finishes are deemed soft and are more commonly found on family or corporate vehicles.
References
Writer Bio
Based in Defiance, Ohio, Becky Martinez has over seven years of reporting experience, having written numerous articles for two newspapers, "The Crescent News" and "The Bryan Times." She has a Master of Arts in English from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, and has taken multiple creative writing courses since obtaining that degree.
