Types of car paints explained

When it comes time to choose a car, there's seldom a greater decision to be made than what colour to choose. While this decision sometimes has a practical application, such as lower insurance premiums, upkeep cost, or visibility, it's mostly a personal preference. Gone are the days of only being able to choose from two or three colours, manufacturers will offer you several hues to choose from in virtually all segments of the market.

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Not all of these choices are on the house, though. Selecting a more exotic finish for your vehicle can cost you extra, but buyers are often willing to absorb this cost. After all, a vehicle is said to be an expression of one's self. Here's a quick guide to different paint finishes.

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Gloss

Probably the most common paint finish you will find on a vehicle. A gloss colour is, as the description implies, has a lovely shine to it. It's also sometimes referred to as a solid colour. Think of your basic colours: red, yellow, blue, green but without any fancy effect, that's your gloss colours. Gloss colours are not boring though! They can range from emerald greens to baby blues, sunflower yellows and letterbox reds!

Gloss colours are usually no-cost options, meaning that you won't be charged extra for choosing one. Manufacturers often offer several gloss colours when you order a new car.

Gloss colours can also work out cheaper in the long run. They're cheaper to apply, which means that repairs don't cost as much as there's less work involved in spraying the car. This, in turn, reduces your insurance premiums compared to some other finishes. The colour you choose will also factor into that. What colour car gets stolen the most?

Metallic

In the years gone by, a metallic paint finish was a premium that you would pay dearly for. Metallic paint finishes contain small metal (usually aluminium) flakes that reflect the light at several different angles, giving it a sparkle like glitter. The metal flak can vary in size, from a few microns to considerably larger, although the later is usually reserved for custom paint finishes on speedboats!

The metal flakes are usually contained in the clearcoat of the paintwork, meaning that a metallic finish requires several different coats, usually a base, a colour, and a metallic clearcoat, at a minimum. Because of this, it's more expensive to apply and repair. This means that metallic finishes may cost you extra and will usually result in a higher insurance premium. How to get cheaper car insurance.

Pearlescent

Pearlescent paint is one of the most premium paint selections you can go for. Not all manufacturers will offer a pearlescent paint option, and even if they do, it will be limited to certain models only. This is a paint that is best appreciated in the sun as it has a mesmerizing shimmer that, as the name suggests, looks like mother of pearl. Change the angle slightly, and you will see a rainbow of colours reflecting off the paint. Some are subtle; others are in your face.

Pearlescent or pearl finishes are rather expensive to apply, and this means that you can expect to pay a premium for this finish when ordering a car. It will also result in a more expensive insurance premium as pearlescent paint is notoriously difficult to match and requires a paint specialist to apply. What colour cars are cheaper to insure?

Matte

A less common trend, but one that has seen a hike in more recent years, has been a matte paint finish. This is also known as satin or flat sometimes, depending on who you ask. This paint isn't limited to black, although that is the most common colour for a matte finish. These finishes don't have a shine to them, and the surface of the car almost looks rough by comparison. 

It was popular to have a vehicle vinyl wrapped in a matte finish, but manufacturers caught on, and some will offer it as a paid-for option on selected models.