How to choose the right car paint – Types of car paints
Each type of car paint has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of a specific type depends on the needs and preferences of the car owner. It's also important to consider other factors, such as climatic conditions, the level of environmental pollution, and the vehicle's usage conditions.
Types of car paints
There are a wide variety of different types of car paint available on the market. However, the most commonly used are:
Acrylic paints are high-quality paints that provide a smooth and even surface. They are also resistant to UV radiation and other aggressive external influences. Acrylic paints are ideal for painting car bodies.
Epoxy resin-based paints are highly durable and long-lasting paints that offer good resistance to chemicals and mechanical damage. Epoxy resin paints are suitable for painting metal surfaces, such as car bodies. They also offer excellent corrosion protection. When using other types of paint, an epoxy primer can also be applied to protect the metal body.
Polyurethane paints – modern paints that offer a high gloss level and great color depth. They are also resistant to scratches and other damage. Polyurethane paints can be used for painting the vehicle body as well as other parts such as interior trim or suspension elements.
Metallic paints (metallic and pearlescent paints) – these are paint systems containing metal particles that impart a metallic sheen and pearlescent effect to the surface. They are often used to create striking color combinations for vehicle bodies. When using metallic paints, it is important to note that they must always be coated with an automotive paint to protect them from abrasion and fading.
Chameleon paints – these are car paints that change color depending on the viewing angle and lighting. They create a unique and eye-catching design on the body. Like pearl and metallic paints, chameleon paints are basecoats and must be sealed with a high-quality clear coat.
Types of car paints – application properties
When choosing a car paint, it's important to remember that each type of paint has its own application characteristics. For example, one-component paints, consisting of a dye and solvent, are easy to apply and dry quickly, but have less resistance to external influences such as UV radiation and can fade more quickly. Two-component paints, consisting of a dye and hardener, offer greater resistance to external influences but require more complex surface preparation and may require specialized equipment for application.
Metallic and pearlescent car paints also have special application properties, giving the car an original and exclusive look. However, these paints require more careful surface preparation, as they are more sensitive to unevenness and surface defects and are often more expensive than conventional paints. In addition, chameleon, xerelic, and pearlescent paints are applied in three coats to achieve the desired color depth and color-changing effects.
How to choose the right car paint color – paint selection by VIN code
Overall, the choice of car paint depends on many factors, and a professional approach can help achieve the best result.
If you want to paint the vehicle in the “original” color, choosing the right car paint color is easy by determining the paint based on the VIN code, which is always provided by the vehicle manufacturers.
Finally, for the best possible result, it is recommended to use car paints from well-known and proven manufacturers who have a good reputation and guarantee high quality of their products.
