Choosing a color for a car is always a balance between aesthetics and practicality, and the shade is known as White Night, occupies a special place in the palette of car enthusiasts. This color is often confused with classic white, but it has unique characteristics that make it stand out from its competitors. The depth and purity of tone create a feeling of premium, making the car visually more expensive and modern.
For owners planning local repairs or complete body repainting, it is critically important to understand the nuances of tinting. White Night may have different codes depending on the paint manufacturer and year of manufacture of the car. Incorrect selection of shade will lead to the fact that the transitions on the body will be noticeable even to the naked eye, especially in bright sunlight.
In this article we will analyze in detail all aspects of working with this color: from choosing the right paint code to application technologies and subsequent care. You will learn why this shade is so popular among car manufacturers and how to maintain its original appearance for many years without losing its shine.
Characteristics and features of the shade
Color White Night is not monochrome in the usual sense of the word. Unlike dull matte white tones, this shade often has a complex structure, which may include micro-pearl particles or metallic inclusions. It is they who give the body a play of light and shadow, creating a volume effect that is so valued by designers.
The main difficulty of working with this color lies in its demands on the quality of surface preparation. Any unevenness, scratch or defect in the putty under a layer of such paint becomes immediately visible. Light transmittance The paint coating plays a key role here, so craftsmen often use special filler primers to create a perfectly smooth base.
⚠️ Attention: When ordering paint from a color center, be sure to request painting on a metal plate and drying the sample. The “White Night” color can turn into a cool bluish or warm creamy shade, depending on the batch of pigment.
It is also important to consider the influence basics (acrylic, metallic, mother-of-pearl) on the final result. Acrylic enamels provide a denser coating that hides minor defects, but are inferior in depth to metallics. Mother-of-pearl options, on the contrary, require perfect application of the base, but give the car a unique shine.
Paint codes and brand compatibility
Finding the correct paint code is the first step to a successful renovation. Manufacturers use different coding systems, and White Night is no exception. Most often, this color can be found in catalogs under designations associated with the pure white spectrum, but with the addition of specific prefixes.
For example, some Asian manufacturers may label this shade as Super White or Pearl White with a certain numerical index. European concerns often use three- or four-digit codes, which are stamped on a nameplate in the door opening or under the hood.
Below is a table with common codes and names that may correspond to the White Night shade depending on the brand:
| Manufacturer | Shade name | Sample code | Coverage type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota / Lexus | Super White II | 040 | Acrylic/Metallic |
| Honda | Taffeta White | NH738 | Acrylic |
| Nissan | Pearl White | QAB | Mother of pearl |
| Hyundai / Kia | Quartz White | QW1 | Mother of pearl |
When purchasing materials, always check the code with the data in service book or on the factory tag. Using paint with a code from another model, even if the name is the same, may result in different colors. Computer selection of paint allows you to adjust the recipe, but the base should be as close as possible to the original.
Application technology and surface preparation
Color painting process White Night requires strict adherence to the technological map. Preparation takes up to 70% of the total work time. The surface must be cleaned, degreased and primed in compliance with the layer thickness recommended by the material manufacturer.
The application of the base layer (base) is carried out in several stages. The first layer is applied with a thin “spray” to ensure adhesion. Subsequent layers are laid more wetly, but without drips. For mother-of-pearl versions, it is critical to observe interlayer drying and the angle of incidence of the spray torch so that the particles fall evenly.
☑️ Preparation for painting
The final varnish coating also has its own characteristics. The white color under the varnish may look yellower if you use cheap materials with low lightfastness. It is recommended to use varnishes with UV filters and increased hardness to avoid rapid clouding.
The secret to a perfect transition
When painting locally white, use the technique of “shading” the edges using a transition solvent. This allows you to make the border between old and new paint invisible even on a white background.
Drying should take place in conditions that prevent the ingress of dust. The white color reveals any debris, so the use of high-quality ventilation and clean filters in the spray booth is a must. The drying temperature should not exceed the varnish manufacturer's recommendations to avoid boiling.
Comparison of car enamels manufacturers
The car enamels market offers many options, and the choice of brand directly affects the result. For color White Night It is important to choose a system that will ensure color stability and durability of the coating. Market leaders offer ready-made solutions and components for tinting.
Brands like Mobihel, Vika or PPG have their own recipe catalogs. Budget lines may require more coats to cover the area being repaired, while premium products go on smoother and dry faster. However, the price of the material does not always guarantee 100% color matching without professional selection.
It is worth paying attention to the compatibility of components. Do not mix solvents and hardeners of different systems, as this can lead to a chemical reaction, clouding of the varnish or a change in the shade of the base. Chemical compatibility - a guarantee that the coating will not begin to peel off after six months.
⚠️ Attention: Never use aggressive solvents (for example, 646) to dilute the White Night base enamel with mother-of-pearl. This can dissolve the pigment grains, causing the color to turn a dirty gray or yellow.
When choosing a material supplier, request quality certificates and check expiration dates. Old materials can lose their properties, which is especially critical for complex white shades where the stability of the binder is important.
White body care and protection
A white car looks elegant, but it requires special care. Bitumen stains, insect marks and road dust are clearly visible against a light background. Regular washing using neutral pH shampoos will help preserve hydrophobic properties varnish
To protect the color, it is recommended to use ceramic coatings or liquid glass. They create an additional layer that prevents dirt from penetrating into the pores of the varnish and makes subsequent washes easier. In addition, such compositions enhance color depth and shine, making White Night even more expressive.
Once every six months, it is advisable to deep clean the body with clay or auto scrub. This will remove stubborn stains that cannot be washed off with regular shampoo. After cleaning, be sure to apply a layer of polish or wax to restore the protective film.
Use a two-phase shampoo to wash a white car. It removes bitumen and tar better without damaging the wax layer, and leaves fewer streaks after drying.
Avoid washing in automatic brush systems. Brushes leave micro-scratches (swipes), which become noticeable very quickly on white metallic or mother-of-pearl, turning the glossy side into a matte surface. Contact washing using a soft sponge and the two-bucket method is preferable.
Common mistakes when repairing and painting
White repairs are often accompanied by typical mistakes that ruin all efforts. One of the most common is insufficient mixing of the paint. White pigments are heavy and quickly settle to the bottom, so the mixture must be constantly mixed before starting work and during the painting process. stir.
Another mistake is violating the proportions when mixing components. Too much hardener can result in rapid drying and poor flow, while too little can result in a soft film that takes a long time to dry and is easily scratched. The accuracy of the scale is critical here.
Also, craftsmen often neglect to control the humidity in the room. High humidity can cause clouding of the varnish (the “whitening” effect), which on a white base will be almost impossible to remove without complete sanding. Monitor the hygrometer readings.
The quality of white color depends 80% on the cleanliness of the work area and proper surface preparation, and not just on the quality of the paint itself.
Don't forget about shrinkage of materials. Cheap putties and primers can shrink, which will appear a week after painting in the form of sagging spots. Use high-quality materials from trusted brands to form the repair area.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
Is it possible to paint a white car a different color without primer?
No, when changing color from white to dark (eg black or blue) it is necessary to apply an insulating primer or use an opaque gray base. Otherwise, the white color will shine through, distorting the new shade.
How often should a white car be polished?
It is recommended to carry out a light polishing once a year to remove oxide film and minor scratches. Deep abrasive polishing should be done only as needed, when defects become clearly visible.
Is it true that white color heats up less in the sun?
Yes, it's true. White color reflects most of the solar spectrum, so the interior of the car and the body itself heat up less than cars of dark shades. This also reduces the load on the air conditioning system.
What to do if the “White Night” paint has turned yellow?
Yellowing is often caused by varnish oxidation or exposure to chemicals. Surface yellowing can be removed by polishing. If the pigment has changed color inside the layer, only repainting the element will help.