Paint gray mother of pearl for cars: choice, codes and technology

The right shade selection gray For local repairs, it is often a challenge due to the effect of optical color change depending on the angle of incidence of light. If you try to paint the chip on the wing with ordinary enamel without taking into account overflow, the boundary of the transition will be visible even to the naked eye, since mica particles in the paint coating (LCP) will lie chaotically. That is why before ordering the material, you need to accurately determine the color code in the technical documentation of your car and take into account that gray It requires a specific application technology to achieve the factory depth effect.

Many car owners mistakenly believe that it is enough to buy a can with a similar name, but in reality the palette has hundreds of variations of the gray spectrum. From a cold steel hue to a warm graphite tone, each variant has a unique formula for mixing pigments and aluminum powder. Wrongly selected car-ename will cause the repaired element to stand out against the general background of the body, especially in bright sunlight or under street lights.

Features of the composition and visual effect of mother of pearl

Unlike standard acrylic enamels, paint gray contains special reflective pigments, most often based on mica coated with metal oxide. These microscopic plates work like prisms, refracting light and creating the very noble overflow that changes the color saturation depending on the viewing angle. It is the presence of these particles that makes the painting process more time-consuming, since it requires (strict control) over the direction of spraying the spray torch.

The basis for creating a depth of color is the base layer, which is applied on top of the soil. In the case of metallized and pearl shades it is critically important to observe uniform application to avoid the effect of "apple" or spots. Particles of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of heart, which is achieved due to correct visity of the material and technique of movement of hand of hand.

Finish protection for such a coating is a transparent varnish, which not only gives gloss, but also protects delicate pigments from burnout and aggressive chemistry. Without a quality paint layer pearl-coloured quickly lose its luster and become matte, and mica particles can begin to oxidize under the influence of moisture.

• ✨ High cover with the correct application of the base layer.
• ✨ Resistance to burnout when using quality pigments.
• ✨ Visually concealing small scratches thanks to the play of light.
• ✨ Difficulty in color selection when coloring by hand.

Popular Color Codes and Manufacturers

The automotive industry offers a wide range of shades that can be listed in catalogs as grayBut have completely different codes. For example, Toyota is popular shade 1G3 (Magnet Gray Metallic), which in certain lighting goes into deep graphite, and Ford often has the code J7 (Sterling Grey). Understanding the code system of a particular manufacturer makes it much easier to find the original. car-enamels Or a quality equivalent.

The largest manufacturers of paints, such as Mobihel, PPG or StandoxThey produce ready-made repair kits, but computer coloring is often required for perfect hitting the color. Computer selection allows you to take into account the degree of burnout of the old coating on your car, which is especially important for mileage cars, where the factory color could already change under the influence of ultraviolet.

When ordering paint in the coloring studio, be sure to provide the VIN code of the car, since the same color name in different years of release could have a different recipe. metallic grey And mother of pearl is often confused, but technically, they are different types of pigmentation, and mixing them in one solution without knowing the proportions can spoil the material.

Manufacturer	The name of the shade	Color code	Type of coating
Toyota	Magnet Gray Metallic	1G3	Basic enamel
Ford	Sterling Grey	J7	pearl
BMW	Sophisto Grey	B45	Metallic/Pearl
Honda	Gunmetal Metallic	NH731M	Metallic

Application technology: stages and nuances

The color-painting process gray requires strict adherence to the technological map, starting with surface preparation. The first stage is always a thorough degreasing and matting of the repair zone to ensure the adhesion of materials. Any speck of dust or fat under a layer of pearl paint will become noticeable after drying, as the light will reflect off irregularities.

The application of the base layer is the most important point where it is used spray-shoot with a properly tuned torch. The pressure in the system usually varies between 2.5-3 atmospheres, and the distance to the surface should be 15-20 cm. It is important to apply the material with a “wet” layer, but not allowing any stains so that the particles of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of mother of father of mother of mother of father of father of father of mother of father of father of mother of father of father of father of father of father of father of father of father of father of father of father of father of father of father of father of

Between the layers, interlayer drying must be maintained, the time of which depends on the temperature in the chamber and the type of solvent used. If you hurry and apply the next layer too early, you can lift the previous one, creating a defect known as the “orange peel.” Conversely, the overdried layer will not merge with the new one, forming a visible boundary.

⚠️ Warning: Do not try to accelerate drying of the base layer with a hairdryer or heating, this will disrupt the orientation of the pearl particles and lead to an uneven color.

Required tools and materials

For high-quality work on the restoration of color coating gray You will need a specific set of tools. The main device is a spray gun with a diameter of duse 1.3-1.4 mm, which provides fine spraying of the material. The use of cheap pneumatic tools often leads to a large torch, which is unacceptable for working with the effects of metallic and mother-of-pearl.

In addition to the sprayer, you will need high-quality solvents that correspond to the ambient temperature. They use it for hot weather. slow-motionso that the paint does not have time to dry in the air, and for cold conditions - fast, so that the material flows and forms a smooth film. Funnel filters are also needed to filter the paint before pouring into the tank, since even a microscopic lump of pigment can clog the dusa.

Personal protective equipment plays an important role, especially when working with pearl pigments, which can be harmful when inhaled. Respirator with carbon filters, protective suit and gloves are required for the safety of the master. Saving on protection can lead to serious health problems, as solvent vapors are toxic.

• 🛠️ Krascopult with a duse of 1.3-1.4 mm.
• 🛠️ Solvent (slow, medium or fast).
• 🛠️ Funnel filters for paint.
• 🛠️ Respirator and protective suit.

Frequent mistakes in self-painting

One of the most common mistakes when working with color gray It is an uneven overlap of layers. Beginners often try to immediately fill the surface with a thick layer, which leads to sweats and displacement of the pigment. As a result, the color in different parts of the detail may differ in saturation, creating the effect of a “zebra”.

Ignoring test spraying on a single surface is another path to failure. The viscosity of the paint can vary depending on the time of year and the batch, so setting the torch “by eye” on the details themselves is unacceptable. Test card It allows you to see the actual shade and size of the torch before starting the main work.

Insufficient drying before applying the varnish is also fatal to the result. If the solvent remains in the base layer, it will begin to come out after varnishing, causing varnish clouding or the formation of bubbles. This is a defect that is almost impossible to fix by polishing and requires a complete repainting of the element.

The Secret to the Perfect Transition

To create a smooth transition (extinguishing) during local repair, use a special solvent for the transition, which is applied to the border of the old and new coating.

Care and remediation of coverage

Operation of a coated vehicle gray It requires a tort approach to washing and care. Abrasive brushes and aggressive autochemistry can leave micro-scratches on the surface that will scatter light and make the color dim. For washing such cars, it is recommended to use the method of two buckets and soft mittens made of microfiber.

Periodic polishing helps to restore the depth of color and remove small defects accumulated during operation. However, be careful with abrasive pastes, as the layer of varnish above the mother of pearl is not infinite. Excessive diligence in polishing can lead to wiping the varnish to the base, which will require not cosmetic, but full-fledged body repair.

For long-term protection, it is recommended to apply ceramic compounds or waxes that create an additional hydrophobic layer. This not only facilitates cleaning the body of dirt, but also protects the pigments from oxidation. Regular care of pearl surface prolongs its life and preserves the presentable appearance of the car for many years.

⚠️ Warning: Avoid washing your car in the direct sun or immediately after the trip when the body is hot – this leads to rapid drying of detergent and stains.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you mix paint from different manufacturers to make gray mother of pearl?

It is not recommended to mix the basic enamel of different brands, as their chemical bases may differ. This will cause unpredictable reactions, curling of paint or changing color. It is better to use products of one line or turn to a professional colorist.

How much dried gray pearl paint before applying the varnish?

The drying time depends on temperature and humidity, but is usually 15-30 minutes at a temperature of +20 ° C. The surface should become matte and stop sticking. The exact time is always specified in the technical documentation for a particular material.

Why does the color appear darker or lighter after painting?

This may be due to the thickness of the applied layer, pressure in the spray gun or the angle of view. Pearl pigments change shade depending on the density of the particles. Also affected is the degree of burnout of the old coating around the repaired area.

Do I need to ground the surface before applying mother-of-pearl?

Yes, the application of the base enamel is possible only on the prepared and primed surface. The soil provides adhesion and levelles the surface. Direct application to metal or old paint without preparation will lead to detachment of the material.

⚠️ Note: When working with any paintwork, be sure to use personal respiratory protection.