Regardless of whether you are buying a brand new car or restoring a much-loved classic, knowing which colour to choose can be tricky. However, have you considered the type of paint you will decide upon and how it can affect the vehicle’s finish?

Here with some insight on the three main types is Car Colour Services, an experienced and expert authority on the subject.

Urethane paint

Perhaps the biggest benefit of urethane is that it can be sprayed over almost every kind of paint and lacquer without reacting. What’s more, it tends to last for a very long time, is extremely durable, does not easily fade or chip, and will dry quickly after application.

Having said that, some people feel as though the appearance of urethane looks a little bit like plastic. Urethane can also be rather tricky to spray due to its toxic nature, which means you will need to wear protective equipment including a painter’s suit, respirator with air pump, and eye goggles.

Metallic paint

Car manufacturers will always make a point of promoting models with metallic paint, as it provides a noticeable sheen and shine. This is because a small quantity of powdered metal is added to the solid paint mix, the particles of which picks up and reflects more incident light. Along with the glistening finish this provides, it can also hide minor dings and scratches.

However, metallic paint can be a problem when it comes to repairing major damage. Colour matching is notoriously difficult with metallic paint and even authorised body shops can’t always guarantee a seamless finish. You may not have as many colour choices either, while the cost of metallic paint can get quite pricey.

Acrylic paint

Whereas urethane depends on a solvent, acrylic paint is water-based, making it far less toxic and easier to apply. Even though spray-can acrylic paint is available, professionals will often bake it onto a car. There is also a single stage acrylic paint and a double stage system, the latter of which requires a top clear coat.

Unfortunately, acrylic lacquer doesn’t tend to last a very long time and is often described as a “soft” paint. On top of that, acrylic paint can fade and wear quickly when exposed to UV light or chemicals. The drying process is much slower than urethane paint and you may need to do a lot of finishing work after application.