Cars acquire a pearlescent color when painted using a special technology with professional paints. The shade variations are multifaceted, the most popular of them are:
- Pure white and with a rainbow tint;
- Deep red or coarse-grained;
- Blue pearl (blue metallic pearl color is a different shade);
- Gray and silver (coarse and fine grain);
- Golden with a rainbow tint;
- Combinations of silver with additional tones.
Below we will figure out how to achieve pearlescent color and what its features are.
A little about the origin
In understanding this issue, we need to devote a few words to the mother of pearl itself, after which this marvelous color is named. So, the foreign origin of the word will turn out to be very interesting. From many languages (German, English, Italian) this word is translated as “mother of pearls”. Why? The explanation is quite simple and also entertaining: when a foreign body gets into the shell of a mollusk, nacre particles from the shell are gradually deposited on it in layers. This is how pearls are formed. Mother of pearl itself is a pure substance. You can find it on the shell walls of some mollusks. Mother of pearl is made up of aragonite (calcium carbonate) crystals. The mineral is distinguished by its iridescent shine and strength, so it is most often used to make jewelry and accessories.
It is worth saying that mother of pearl has been known to man since ancient times. For example, in Ancient Rome it was considered a symbol of wisdom and power. The ancients believed that possessing it brings great happiness. During the reign of Empress Catherine II, not a single piece of jewelry was created without the participation of mother-of-pearl or pearls. The jewelers of the Scottish Queen Mary Stuart created true masterpieces.
Pearlescent varnish
Automotive pearlescent varnishes, used for the final coating of a painted surface, are mostly two-component acrylic-based.
The varnish used to create mother-of-pearl color can be transparent. This varnish is used both in its pure form and with the addition of pearlescent pigment. In addition, the market offers varnishes already mixed with pigment and having a specific shade.
Different manufacturers offer compositions of different consistency. Some may be runny and liquid. Special hardeners are offered for them, which are added to the varnish before use.
There are thicker varnishes for which there are special solvents that are added before varnishing in the proportion specified in the instructions for use. These instructions must be carefully studied, otherwise a serious mistake can be made when mixing the compounds. As a result, the color scheme may change or the base color coating may be damaged.
Pouring and adding varnish
Clearcoat can be applied over the base paint in just one coat, as a topcoat. If a varnish with pearlescent pigment is also used when painting a car, then a three-layer varnish is applied.
The first layer is a clear varnish. After it dries, a layer of pearlescent varnish with the selected shade is applied to it. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that this layer is applied evenly, otherwise the color of the body will change in places.
The three-layer varnishing is completed by applying a transparent finishing layer of automotive varnish.
About hair
But still, pearlescent color is most often used in hair dyes. Moreover, pearlescent shades have been on the championship podium for several seasons in a row. Thanks to this shade, you can achieve excellent results that no other paint can give:
- Pearlescent color perfectly removes yellowness when dyeing with “blond” tones.
- Hair looks healthy and naturally shiny, and styling is voluminous.
- The “expensive” shade gives the image a special charm and style.
In hairdressing, pearl color is a special translucent shade that makes hair shine. Women have a misconception that this shade can only be present in light-colored paints, but this is absolutely not true. Modern cosmetic brands today offer pearlescent shades in light brown, red and even chestnut shades.
It is worth mentioning that mother-of-pearl is also called a certain rainbow of shades that harmonize with each other and create a delightful diamond shine. As in the automotive industry, the pearlescent color in hair dye has a complex structure: light can be both reflected and refracted. Mother of pearl can look different on different lengths of hair, shining, shimmering and creating all sorts of shades.
Mother of pearl color and its features
Paint with a pearlescent tint has features that distinguish it from other automotive coloring mixtures.
The main difference is the shimmering, iridescent effect that is achieved using special ingredients. When deciding whether to choose pearl or metallic, a car enthusiast chooses pearl color precisely for this quality of paint.
In addition, this coating provides increased thermal stability of the body. This happens because painting is done sequentially in several layers. Thanks to this, the surface painted with mother-of-pearl is more resistant to mechanical stress, such as scratches.
The pearlescent paint itself also differs in several ways.
Natural look of paint in a container
- First of all, what makes a particular paint special is the size of the main light reflector - crushed mica. This parameter is also called graininess. It is the crushed mica that gives such a unique shade to the coloring composition. The larger the mica particle size or grain size, the brighter and more unusual the refraction. The average particle size for this effect is about 20 micrometers. Finer grain size ensures a smooth transition of shades and a more uniform application of the paint layer.
- Since this paint is multi-component, the method of applying the paint to the car body is important. The first scheme involves applying pearlescent paste with a small content of iridescent pigment to a dimly colored surface. Its content is allowed to be no more than one percent. When implementing the second scheme, pearlescent paint is mixed with acrylic paint and pearlescent acrylic enamel is obtained. This composition is applied to a surface previously painted with the selected color. Finally, a special fixing varnish is applied.
- Various colors and shades of pearlescent paste are obtained by mixing ordinary automotive polyurethane paint and mica pigments crushed with different grain sizes. This is done by professionals who work with automotive paints.
A little about technology
To ideally get the desired result, you still need to color your hair only in a good salon and only with high-quality dyes. A highly qualified master will be able to achieve this. To obtain the desired shade, coloring must be carried out in two stages. First: coloring with the main color. Second: toning. A translucent pearlescent color is applied to the main tone. But recently, modern global brands have made this task somewhat easier for ladies by starting to produce hair dyes with pearl shine.
Pearlescent paints
The pearlescent color of a car is obtained by painting it with special paints. They may have different colors. Most often used:
- white pearlescent;
- white pearlescent, having a rainbow tint;
- rich red;
- blue mother-of-pearl, do not confuse the color blue metallic with mother-of-pearl paint - these are different compositions and colors;
- red coarse grain;
- pearly gray color;
- golden, having a rainbow effect;
- pearlescent silver color, with different types of grain;
- A combination of silver color with others is also used.
About lips
Our story won't be complete if we don't mention makeup. Mother of pearl is also used in lipsticks. However, you need to use its generous shine wisely. If a lady wants to highlight the natural beauty of her lips, this shade is perfect for this purpose. But if the lips have physiological defects or they are too full, then the pearlescent color will only ruin the situation and focus the attention of others on the shortcomings. Remember that dense pearl shades of lipstick are best used in evening makeup as highlights.
Pearlescent paints
More recently, the color mother-of-pearl was quite exclusive, and such a shade could only be seen on expensive premium cars. It was very difficult to achieve the desired shimmer and reflection of the paint, so the services of a colorist and car painter were much more expensive than painting a car in a simple shade.
This paint is unique in its kind - it can shimmer in different shades, so the painted car will always look elegant.
When light rays hit the coating, a metallic effect is created, which can change its shade depending on the viewing angle and the brightness of the light. If you apply paint to the body in several layers and cover it with a special varnish, you can get a surface with a special “depth”.
In this case, the vehicle body will be reliably protected from corrosion. Pearlescent paint for cars requires special technology during its application, the violation of which can cause highlights to be unevenly distributed around the entire perimeter of the car body.
It is also necessary to adhere to the temperature regime (so that the surface to be painted is the same temperature as the paint), then shade differences can be avoided.
It is imperative to select paint and solvent from the same manufacturer; if this rule is not followed, the paint coating may soon begin to peel off, or various defects of the painted surface will be noticeable immediately after the paint has dried.
peramut he is so different
Pearl paint is a good choice for car owners who love change, but if you don’t want to repaint your vehicle, you can use special stickers.
They will give the surface the desired shade and will additionally protect the paintwork of the body. If desired, the film can be removed and the car will return to its original appearance.
In the interior
Mother-of-pearl color has found application in almost all areas of human life. This is not only the beauty industry and the automotive industry, but also design. Thus, mother-of-pearl shades are actively used when painting walls, which is not at all surprising: pearl color can give a room not only exquisite tenderness, but also discreet originality. Due to its unique feature, the pearlescent color will constantly change its gamut at different times of the day, at different angles of incidence of light. It has some other great benefits as well. First of all, the paint is very resistant to various external influences: it does not fade, does not change color over time, and does not react to temperature changes. And, perhaps, the most unique feature: the mother-of-pearl shade fits into any interior style, giving the space depth and special expressiveness of silhouettes and shapes.
How to get pearlescent color
It is very difficult to obtain a white pearlescent shade. To do this, it is necessary to use special pigments that can reflect color.
When a ray of light hits the pigments, a beautiful iridescence is formed, which changes shade depending on the viewing angle. It is worth noting that mother-of-pearl painting is recommended for use in certain weather conditions and for careful drivers, because in the event of serious impacts, it will not protect the body from scratches and chips.
Drivers are presented with a wide range of bright and soft shades. To make the car more noticeable, no additional textures or frills are required.
You can simply mix two or even three unique shades, which will allow you to prepare an exclusive coloring composition.
Follow some recommendations when applying pearlescent paint, and you will certainly get an impeccable result; it’s always nice to show off such a machine to your loved ones:
1. Visual depth can be achieved by double and triple painting. But do not confuse “mother of pearl” with metallic and chameleon shades.
2. When selecting all the components for painting, try to select one specified brand. Simply, formulations of different brands may reject each other, and cracks or swelling may appear on the surface of the car.
Multi-layer painting of the body surface cannot be avoided if you decide to achieve an iridescent effect.
3. The most difficult task when painting is creating uniform highlights on the body. This effect can only be achieved if the paint used is the same temperature as the car body.
If it's colder, the shimmer effect will look completely different. The difference between such transitions will be visible to the naked eye. The same temperature of the paint and the surface guarantees strong adhesion to the metal.
Before application, the surface must be highly polished, because all defects will appear as it dries.
4. The shade of the base should be the same as the base one; the sooner you apply it after cleaning, the better it will affect the body.
5. When making paint, check its fluidity by diluting it with a solvent. Apply the paint in two layers, and be sure to seal the result with varnish. It is applied in several layers.
The first with a minimum amount of solvent. Usually 30-40 minutes are enough for the solvent to evaporate and the layer to dry, then you can carry out the procedure again to fix the varnish layer.
Many people recommend contacting specialists who will advise you on choosing a color. He will also be able to tell you what kind of paint or pigment can achieve the desired effect.
It is worth remembering that this paint is more capricious.
Even after a heavy rainfall, a poor coating can be damaged. Do not skimp on materials and then you will be confident in the result. This is almost the only negative, otherwise you get an original and beautiful appearance.
Be sure to study the recommendations indicated in the paint content; during work, do not forget about protective equipment.
Expert tips for home coloring
Many girls wonder: is it possible to lighten their hair on their own?
This technique requires a certain skill and knowledge of color. The result depends on the materials chosen and the oxygen level. However, if desired, any woman can find her ideal formula.
Stylists' recommendations:
- For gray hair, buy dye with a special mark - ordinary pigments will not cope with the task.
- To avoid damaging the structure, increase the level by no more than 4 tones from the natural one.
- “Dark” ones must first be bleached with powder diluted with 6% or 9% oxide.
- Fair-haired girls will benefit from tinting mousses - apply instead of shampoo, leave for 30 minutes and rinse.
Before work, carefully read the instructions that come with the dye. Do not exceed the exposure time recommended in the package insert.
Maintain the required period: if you wash it off too early, you will be left with yellowness, which is very difficult to remove.
Rules for home coloring:
- Check the expiration date indicated on the packaging.
- Prepare the available tools: a ceramic or plastic bowl, a brush, gloves, a comb.
- Moisten the ends with nourishing oil.
- Use the diluted mixture immediately - the active ingredients lose their effect over time.
- For a “pure” blonde, oxygen levels from 6 to 12 percent are used.
- When applying the mixture, separate the strands so that there is contact with air.
- Step back a little from the roots, leaving the finishing of the ends at the end of the procedure.
- Mix toners with a low-percentage oxidizing agent.
- If you want to get a perm, wait a week after pigmentation.
- Use special shampoos and conditioners to keep your locks vibrant and healthy.
To guarantee an ideal result, it is better to contact a salon for this service. You can find a good specialist based on reviews from real clients.
Before lightening more than four shades, perform an allergy test.
A day before, take a small amount of the product and apply it to your wrist. If itching, redness, or rashes appear during the day, it is better to discard this product.
Some shades:
Who is it suitable for?
The shade belongs to the palette of cool colors and has silvery notes that provide beautiful reflection when hit by light. Hairdressers recommend it to women of a cold color type (summer or winter).
Girls with yellowish or dark skin are better off choosing a warmer blonde: wheat, light brown, beige.
Owners of brown and red hair often face problems when changing the tone to a lighter one. The golden pigment blocks the ashy one, so they need to choose cooler colors and use a stronger activator.
If you are lightening your hair for the first time, you will need the help of a colorist.
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