Can anyone explain the Mercury Metallic color phenomenon?
#32
The phenomenon that the original post is referring to applies to 3 stage paints and pearl color paints. It is called "paint flop". You won't see this on original factory paint with one stage solid colors (although they do have a clear making them 2 stage) What you are actually seeing is not necessarily a mismatch of the paint on different panels but the reflection of light at different angles. Think of the metallic in the paint as many tiny mirrors reflecting light.
Depending upon the angle you are looking from, the panel might look lighter or darker. The new generation Camaros have such a problem with this on their rear quarter panels that a bulletin was released addressing this as not a defect but a characteristic of the paint. I have Millenium Silver with all orginal paint, yet at certain angles and times of day, the sunlight does make my rear quarter panels look a different shade as if they have been repainted. Once you are aware of this, you may start seeing different metallic paint jobs looking mismatched. Some may really have been repainted and are off, but many 3 stage factory paint jobs inherently look this way. For more info on this topic.....google "paint flop".
Depending upon the angle you are looking from, the panel might look lighter or darker. The new generation Camaros have such a problem with this on their rear quarter panels that a bulletin was released addressing this as not a defect but a characteristic of the paint. I have Millenium Silver with all orginal paint, yet at certain angles and times of day, the sunlight does make my rear quarter panels look a different shade as if they have been repainted. Once you are aware of this, you may start seeing different metallic paint jobs looking mismatched. Some may really have been repainted and are off, but many 3 stage factory paint jobs inherently look this way. For more info on this topic.....google "paint flop".
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MiiK350
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
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04-05-13 08:37 AM