The Ultimate Pearl Luster Effect

Light striking the applied film of titanium dioxide on the flakes of mica creates the pearl luster effect by allowing the light to deflect at different angles. The light deflection determines the ultimate pearl luster effect you see.

The repair of these white pearl colors requires different techniques and a different application process. Many of the conventional application techniques used on basecoat/clearcoat metallic colors do not apply when repairing a tri-coat finish.

Basecoat/clearcoat metallic colors can be adjusted by the following variables:

1. Reduction (amount and choice of solvent)

2. Air pressure

3. Gun distance

4. Fluid adjustment

5. Fluid tip size

The color is affected as follows:

^ Higher air pressure/increased reduction causes a metallic color to shift to the light side on the face and dark on the flop.

^ Lower air pressure/decreased reduction causes a metallic color to shift to the dark side on the face and go light on the flop.

Theoretically, when a metallic paint film is applied wet as it would be at lower air pressure and lower reduction, the aluminum flake settles deeper in the paint film and is surrounded by the color pigment causing a darker appearance. The color reacts in the opposite when the variables are reversed.

This theory does not apply to the white pearl tri-coat system. The white basecoat is a solid material, therefore, will not be sensitive to the same variables that affect metallic colors. On the other hand, the pearl coat (or mid-coat) is very sensitive to film build. For this reason, a let-down panel should be used to determine the number of pearl coats required to match the OEM finish. This tool should be made prior to starting a repair. The let-down panel is used to match paint on the repair vehicle.