xknowonex

iTrader: (2)

Hey guys, my 1st gen SC300 is sitting in the shop waiting to be re-painted and I am wondering what the differences are between "mica" and "pearl" paints?

My current color is Pearl Garnett and I am going to paint it in Matador Red Mica so I am just curious if one is suppose to glow more or if one is more difficult to paint. Thanks guys

Rash

iTrader: (1)

If there's a difference between them, my Glacier Frost Mica is difficult to paint.

DoTheDrew

iTrader: (9)

mine as well

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

exactly! my car is at the shop now getting painted. ugh the hurt on the pockets its putting

IS-SV

Pearl vs. mica, isn't it just a name?

I had my hood repainted by dealer at their expense, it came out great. I guess SGM is a fairly easy color to match.

Pnuge88

iTrader: (1)

i think i like pearl bettter.. even if theres no difference.. the starphire pearl is HOTTTT lol

Rash

iTrader: (1)

I like your Mica better

IS-SV

I like metallic paints.

xknowonex

iTrader: (2)

Ok, so before finalizing my color choice, I consulted with one of the industry veterans on whether color is a pearl or a just a regular metallic. Just by looking at the color chips, he guessed that its just a metallic. The same thing with my body shop until the ordered the paint.

It turned out that it is a true pearlescent paint unlike some of the other "pearl" colors out there which is just pearl in name, most notably Dodge/Chrysler's "pearl" colors.

Below are some of the pics of my old SC getting sprayed in Matador Red. I really love this color




Car waiting to get masked up









Window trim removed

javyLSU

iTrader: (21)

It's just a name. The word "mica" is a latin-based word meaning "glitter." Another useless piece of information that I hope to someday use on Jeopardy.

Javier

nguminh

iTrader: (2)

The paint looks really fresh!

xknowonex

iTrader: (2)

Its a little too fresh. It needs to be wet-sanded

IS-SV

So some posters have said the lighter colored micas were hard to match when they had bodywork done.

JVT

Pearl is more expensive color, not to mention more difficult to match.

javyLSU

iTrader: (21)

^I guess you mean when compared with non-metallic paints? "Pearl" is not a color, here it refers to the way the flakes in the paint reflect in the finish. To illustrate the non-difference between "pearl" and "mica" paints, in Japan, Lexus Paint 074 (what's referred to in the USDM as Glacier Frost Mica) is called "Bluish Pearl Crystal Shine." It's just a name.

Javier