Metallic vs. Solid paint ?

[Zoofly]

I'm ready to paint my car. Sticking with the color it came in, Arancio 190. Orange. The car is painted in a solid orange. It had been repainted at one point. The last decision I need to make is do I paint it metallic or solid? I looked up the paint codes for 1978 and it says it was painted in metallic. I'm not sure what I think about having it painted metallic. Can anyone offer any insight into the pros and cons of metallic vs. solid paint?

https://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/colour_codes_fiat

[DieselSpider]

There are many different levels of metallic so to me it depends on the size of the flakes and density. Keeping the metal mixed up to get an even finish can be a pain and if the flakes are large then you need a special gun to spray it. Paints with a lot of metal in them don't tend to last as long in sunny climates.

[bobplyler]

This car has the most amazing metal flake I've ever seen. Pictures don't do it justice.
https://www.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/co ... guana.aspx

[Jimb]

Ahhh. brings back memories from many years ago when metal flake first became popular.

A 1956 T-Bird painted Gold metal flake...and it was chinky flakes...finished with several clear coats, each one hand rubbed.

Jim

[Jimb]

Ahhh. brings back memories from many years ago when metal flake first became popular.

A 1956 T-Bird painted Gold metal flake...and it was chunky flakes...finished with several clear coats, each one hand rubbed.

Jim

[Jimb]

woops...I only meant the change to the correct spelling for "chunky" but obviously I screwed up.
Jim

[DRUMMOND]

Hi Zoofly

Metallic paints are different to solids this way:

When you spray with metallic paint you do have to choose the flake size, my opinion smaller is better.
Spraying metallic is harder than solid (so more $$ for the paint job) You have to make sure the paint is applied in one direction consistently or you will get a refraction problems.
Metallic paint is harder to repair than solid color as the flakes need to follow the original spray direction.
A good metallic paint job is 10 times as pretty as a solid paint job!

There is a price for beauty!

PS. I have a beautiful metallic blue on my Spider

[architect]

A few cars back.. I had an experienced buddy paint my car (basically for beer $). He painted airplanes everyday.

I asked to throw in a little bit of metal flake.. he didn't know about the directional pattern, and pretty much ruined the paint job. Like mentioned above, find someone that knows how to do it and be ready to pay a little more $$

[DieselSpider]

A few cars back.. I had an experienced buddy paint my car (basically for beer $). He painted airplanes everyday.

I asked to throw in a little bit of metal flake.. he didn't know about the directional pattern, and pretty much ruined the paint job. Like mentioned above, find someone that knows how to do it and be ready to pay a little more $$

Yes they can be a pain to deal with. The last one I did came out the best and I feel it was because I did not care and was not so tense about the outcome. It was just my own work truck and I got some Forest Green Paint for a bargain because it did not come out right and the automotive paint store was selling up botched paint mixes for a fraction of their original price. I got a full gallon of metal flake paint with a gallon of reducer for around $35. If probably helped that it was the finer sized flakes. It was the higher grade Ditzler Paint too and lasted for years.

[AndyVAS]

The metallic paint really pops in the sun. I'm a fan. That said, on an old car it is best to keep the flake on the mild side. Put in the minimum amount and be sure it is very fine. It's one of those things where a little goes a long way. Done right you'll hardly notice the metallic quality to the paint but it will make the car stand out that extra bit.

[wetminkey]

I agree with Andy. Fine metallic flakes,...
I also am not afraid of a bit of extra work, so I like to paint with the urethanes,...and base coat/clear coat. More coats than single stage, but the clear protects the color, and the resulting paint job lasts longer,...
If ever it needs attention, the clear can be refinished, or touched up.
Todd.