[ErikR]

I was just wondering why some car makers like MINI charge extra for metallic paint while most others can give it to you for free?

Thanks,
Erik

[juddct]

MINI is actually quite cheap compared to others. In the UK, the metallic option on the Vauxhall Corsa starts at £300 (for a smaller car). The metallic paint is much more expensive than a solid colour and the production process is different. The 'others' aren't actually giving it to you for free, as they often making it back on the cost of the car itself, or on the finance deal they're selling the car through. If you look at most 'free' offers they're not really free.

[Humourl3ss]

Charging more for metallics isn't uncommon; BMW, Porsche and Mazda (and probably some others) charge more for some colours than for others. As juddct pointed out, it's not as though the metallics are "free" on other makes and models; rather that they have a rough idea in advance of what percentage will likely be ordered with a metallic colour and simply spread their anticipated unit cost over all colours. In that sense, you actually pay more by buying a solid colour, since you're picking up the tab for someone else's silver paint.

I think this pay-as-you-go model is a little more prevalent in Europe because they're further along in BTO systems of manufacturing. With less finished inventory on hand less hedging of prices needs to be done. (This is purely speculation on my part, mind you).

-CW

[obehave]

It's more expensive to manufacture also and shows defects much more easily.

[ZAMIRZ]

I really really wish that we could get our Minis in paint-to-sample like you can with Porsche (basically any hue that's been on any automobile in the world can be duplicated and your car painted that color), I know of a number of colors I'd like to have including Porsche cobalt blue, Ford sonic blue, Jaguar British Racing Green and finally, Dodge's "plum crazy".

[Goonery]

Quote: Originally Posted by ZAMIRZ

I really really wish that we could get our Minis in paint-to-sample like you can with Porsche (basically any hue that's been on any automobile in the world can be duplicated and your car painted that color), I know of a number of colors I'd like to have including Porsche cobalt blue, Ford sonic blue, Jaguar British Racing Green and finally, Dodge's "plum crazy".

There is a possibility of a MINI Individual set up being considered like BMW already do, So the theory goes, you can have the paint and trim matched to your favourite colour providing the paint can be formulated, It would add quite a lot to the cost because the car would have to be hand built almost, not on the production line, so if enough people are prepared to pay £20000 for a bespoke exterior, and fully matched interior it could happen.

[MICKEY]

Just to put the cat amongst the pigeons, I have a very good Friend work works for Du Pont.
He's the chief chemist/manager and designs paint for Jaguar, He has also just taken control of paint for MG.
When you get talking to him about processes and costs, metallic paint is one of the cheaper to produce (less pigment is needed) flat colours are dearer, red being the most expensive (uses the most pigment) this does not take into consideration monochromatic or other fancy paints.
Of course other things need to be considered in the final cost, (spraying etc) but from his side of things (the paint designer/manufacturer) metallic is a cheaper product to produce.

So why the extra cost???? I don't know.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by MICKEY

Just to put the cat amongst the pigeons, I have a very good Friend work works for Du Pont.
He's the chief chemist/manager and designs paint for Jaguar, He has also just taken control of paint for MG.
When you get talking to him about processes and costs, metallic paint is one of the cheaper to produce (less pigment is needed) flat colours are dearer, red being the most expensive (uses the most pigment) this does not take into consideration monochromatic or other fancy paints.
Of course other things need to be considered in the final cost, (spraying etc) but from his side of things (the paint designer/manufacturer) metallic is a cheaper product to produce.

So why the extra cost???? I don't know.

Well at least I'm right ,in my head, about red paint. I'd always thought that was the most expensive color.
Didn't think about the lack of pigment making metallic cheaper.

OK, now ask him if I'm right that metallics fade quicker due the the metal flake reflecting more light back through the pigment and clear coat.

[Goonery]

Metallic is more expensive to apply , most cars need some refin during the production process to get them right, and batching and matching the refinish paint takes more care and time than the solid colours.

A commercial spray shop often has shading problems when fixing a crashed panel if it metallic, its the same during the production process, so it costs a lttle more

[markjenn]

I have a friend who is a painter and he says metallics are univesally more difficult and expensive. The paint itself is more expensive and there are extra steps. And the final product is more prone to blemishes that require rework.

I don't know where the info came the non-metallics are more difficult/expensive, but I don't think it's correct.

- Mark

[Humourl3ss]

Quote: Originally Posted by Max

Great Signature Block CW - just noticed who was doing the talking

Cheers, mate.

-CW

[sugster]

We use a quite a lot of ordinary and special effect pigments at work. I've illustrated some typical prices below. Bear in mind the company I work for doesn't use anywhere near the volume of pigment which the car industry uses so prices may ven be cheaper.
Don't forget that these are per/kg costs, there is probably a maximum of 10% pigment in the paint.

Blue pigment £20/kg
Red £110/kg
Violet £80/kg
Mica (to make a pearlescent finish) £70/kg
Aluminium flake (metallic finish) £40/kg

Personally I think its historical reasons why metallics are more expensive. For years we have paid extra, and no doubt in the early years of metallic paints it was for a good reason, today the dealer can fleece us for an extra £250 . Unless of course a the paint consists of a two coat metallic. An extra process would lead to an extra cost I suppose....

For those interested in the types of pigment used, here is a link to Ciba who make a lot of the high performance colorants used in paints. Lots of nice juicy technical performance information too!
It also looks like Obehave's theory about metallics fading quicker might have some truth. Some of the data on the Ciba site does indicate that that metallics have a lower weathering resistance.

Link to Ciba Speciality Chemicals

[sugster]

While we're on the subject of metallics, here's an interesting article about how popular all the different colours are.

SHOCK: Silver is very popular!

Dupont Global Colour Popularity Report

[swamos]

Most locally manufactured cars in Australia have no cost option metallic paint.