What's the difference between pearlescent and metallic paint on a car?

Answer 1

Perlescent is pretty much metallic paint but with special flecks of metal which cause the paint to appear a different color as you look at a different angle. Metalic paint maintains the same color no matter how you look at it. Just looks shinier than solid colors.

Answer 2

Pearlescent paint has a "depth" or "glow" that is reminiscent of pearls. It was first available in white but now has more shades. When done properly, it is a very classy looking paint finish. It does cost extra because it takes more steps.

Metallic paint has a more metallic glow when done properly. It often has tiny reflective chips in it that really sparkle in the sun. It is definitely different than pearlescent paint but can be equally attractive when done correctly.

I tend to think of pearlescent paint on luxury cars and metallic paint on sport cars but go with whatever you like.

Answer 3

I believe pearlescent paint is the kind that changes colour depending upon where it is viewed from, while metallic is a simple straight colour assosciated with metal eg silver gold etc.

Answer 4

pearlescent paints add a bit of white to the original color and makes it shiny but metallic paints just make it shiny.

Answer 5

pearlescent is primarily white or cream colored and looks like a pear, whereas metallic has metal flake in it that you can see and is sparkly

Answer 6

My husband has a pearl finish on his Audi, it is Hibiscus Red (Dark Maroon), and had a mid shine finish with sparkly flecks in, my neighbour has a metallic finish on her Renault which is a high shine very light reflective finish with no sparkles.

Answer 7

Metallic paint has flakes of metal (I think its an aluminium alloy) in the paint.
Pearlescent has flakes of mica instead.

Answer 8

about £150

Answer 9

Pearls and metal

Answer 10

pearlesant changes shades of the same colour where as metlic is just sparkley