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Overview
For metallic finishes, most of the section on spraying solid colours applies but with added technicalities to consider. Some older production cars were painted in metallic colours applied in one process, called single-layer. Most recent metallics are of the clear-over-base type, which involves a coloured metallic basecoat protected by a finishing coat of clear lacquer. There are variations on this process explained later. Metallics can show a wide variation in colour dependent on application techniques. Please see the Colour Matching section.
2/ Single Layer
Available as cellulose and acrylic air-dry, 2-pack and synthetic enamel. All must be thinned and/or activated as directed by the paint manufacturer.
3/ Basecoat 4/ Lacquer
Most metallic colours and quite a lot of normal solid colours are now applied in a two layer system, where the basecoat is applied first followed by a clear lacquer.
The basecoat must be thinned as directed by the supplier. Due to the multitude of products available it is almost impossible to give general guidance on thinning ratios - ask the supplier for a data sheet.
5/ Pearl Effects
Now becoming common on even budget range cars.
6/ Blending Colours
Metallics in particular are notoriously difficult to match in a "new panel edge to old panel edge" situation, therefore it is usually easier to spend a little longer and blend into adjacent panels than try for a 100% colour match first time. This method is also of use where the repair is a small area on a large panel with no break lines>>>Continued
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