What's the difference? I understand if a paint name doesn't have one of those descriptors then it's a "plain" glossy color, and those descriptors mean the paint will have sparkly flecks in it. But what is the real difference between a paint called "metallic", "pearl", and "mica"? Is it just the degree of sparkliness? Is it the particular additive that gives the sparkliness? Or is it really the same and they just use whichever word sounds best with the base color name?

 

They're pretty much the same.

They're all terms referring to a top coat with metallic flake/glitter...

 

There is a difference between a metallic and a pearl. A metallic has colored metallic flakes in it spread out at a certain angle to reflect light. The metallic is usually not in the top coat; it is sprayed before the color separately. Sometimes it is mixed right in, thought.

Pearls often have metallics in them, but what makes then pearls is a *different color base coat than the top coat*, so they often appear to be two distinct colors (as opposed to metallics, which only appear different colors when light hits the flake). For example, Glacier Frost Mica is a pearl, it has a blue base coat and a white top coat then a clear.

Generally names are just to sound good, though.

 

I thought Mica was the flaky, sparkly paint (after the mica "rock")

 

As far as I know there is no difference between "mica" and "metallic", in fact aside from Toyota/Lexus I don't think I've ever heard the term "mica" in relation to paints, so I think it's just a naming thing. That said, pearl and metallic are definitely different.

 

Okay, so pearl has a different base color. Metallic and mica seem to be identical, or at least enough so that we laymen can't tell the difference.

New question: how do we know when a paint color, like Black Opal for the LS600hL, will exhibit metallic/mica characteristics even though the name is plain?

 

It's listed as Black Opal Mica at Lexus.ca when you "build" one there, & I think you can tell from the pic too :

 

Good question - you don't unless the website tells you. For example, BMW's "black sapphire" might be flat black or metallic black, but since they have the flat and metallic colors separated, so we know it's metallic.

Without seeing it in person or info from the site/dealer/brochure there's no way to tell by name. The names mean, well, nothing.