Cement...pearl or metallic?

Recently noticed Cement has a metallic flake when I saw it up close on a sunny day... then at other times it just seems to "glow" almost like a pearl additive.

So which is it...Metallic or Pearl? Anyone know for sure?

 

Pearl according to the paint code.

 

The shiny stuff did seem very small and very faint, like a pearl. Caught me by surprise. I thought it was just gray.

 

2 stage pearlescent

 

Don't wanna open this can of worms, but here goes....

I thought pearl was always a 3 stage paint job: base coat, pearl coat, clear coat ?

 

I thought the same too but the OEM versions are 2 stage according to what I read. Originally pearlescence paint jobs were 3 stage and had to be sprayed very carefully.

Back in the 80s I painted some with 3 stage pearlescence. I remember purchasing pearlescence in a small jar and adding it to the mid coat clear, then spraying it over the color coat. Final top coats were straight clear. Back then I was told the pearlescence was made from finely ground fish scales but have no proof.

Today's pearls are made from ground glass, mica or other materials.

 

A few years ago I had a pearl white Yamaha sportbike fairing re sprayed and they showed me the test panels after I asked about the process. I believe they said it took 3 coats of pearl (mixed with clear?) to match it correctly. It was a tri-coat paint job. I will say that I can usually tell if a panel has been re-sprayed, but they matched it absolutely perfect...and it's hard to impress me. I never painted cars for a living, but did automotive quality paint jobs on semi tanker trailers for propane transport. Mostly single stage with some customers purchasing clear coat as well. I always thought pearl paint was the coolest shit. Lol.

Anyways, so does Toyota supply the base coat and then the clear with pearl already in it: 2 stage? I'm always curious how things work so I ask alot of questions.

 

Not sure how Toyota applys their pearlescence but my ARE Shell is a perfect match to OEM. ARE uses Axalta paint (formerly Dupont) on their shells and supplied a small bottle of touch up paint which I suspect is the color coat. The pearlescence is mixed in just like metallic paint. The difference is metallic paint uses ground aluminum instead of pearlescence which is why metallic paint jobs often oxidize sooner if not protected with a top coat (remember the old silver paint jobs turning dull?)

Old ex-fleet painter here. Used to paint trucks, autos, motorcycles and heavy equipment. Once even painted a locomotive, lols.

 

Good to know! Also, you definitely one-upped me on painting a locomotive. LMAO

 

There's even a OEM 4 stage pearlence :

http://www.collisionblast.com/2017/02/01/estimating-quad-coat-4-stage-paint/

The 3 stage pearl white was very popular in the 80s, blue pearl was usually added to the mid coat. It usually gave off a purple hue or shimmer when light hit it just right. Sometimes red or gold pearl was used too, they all looked cool.

 

Wouldn't toyota give the paint code "Metallic Cement"? Just asking because my '18 taco paint code is Metal Black Metallic or "MBM" for short.

Asking out of curiosity .

 

Yea I used to see it sometimes when I pass the feed mill where it was used. Same old Dupont Imron in 817U white with a brown, red, and orange stripe down its side.

Mostly sprayed Dupont Imron, Centari and Chromax, some Ditzler paints. All have been reformulated since then.

 

OEM will give their colors any name they please despite what it really is. Creates some confusion.

Best bet if your curious is ask your local auto paint store, they usually are a PPG or Axalta dealer.

 

We mostly sprayed Imron...but our epoxy primer was something else. I've forgotten at this point. I remember Imron 5000, but they changed things over the years, eventually becoming Axalta shortly before I stopped painting I believe.

 

This site explains some pearl painting. House of Kolor was and is still popular. I remember spraying some of their red candy on a custom Harley, it was slick shit.

https://www.learnautobodyandpaint.com/how-to-paint-pearl-or-flake-mix-in-clear-coat-or-intercoat/

 

One day I would love to have my own paint booth at home, or some version of a paint booth.

 

We used Ditzler DP40 epoxy on sandblasted metal under Imron. For sanded paint refinishes we used a sealer but can't remember which one. I used a Dupont sealer called 1848 on side jobs, it worked well.

Ditzler had a acrylic urethane called Delstar for awhile, it was good stuff too.

 

Couple of coworkers had home built paint booths, I would use them sometimes. Best time to paint ime is early AM at about 60-70deg F with mid temp or blended reducer.

 

I miss painting, but I don't miss painting those propane tankers...not really.

Getting under the box where the rear axles live, crawling around on the floor in a white cloud of overspray, blinded by the "white-out" situation you just created by pulling the trigger. And don't even think about tearing away that clear shield. Oh no, cause the next shield will be utterly white and useless just a few moments later. Might as well close your eyes inside that fresh air hood and go to town. You don't need to see if you're good! LOL.

And I don't miss those big ass industrial sized storage tanks, either.... especially not the damn coal tar coated ones. WTF, why is my neck burning??? You can see we were really up to OSHA standards 100% of the time.

 

Lol I used to shoot Imron back in the late '70's early '80's. Beer truck fleet was my thing.