pby

Found this old thread but I don't feel any of these guys clearly addressed the difference between the two.

http://www.acura-tsx.com/forums/show...lic+difference

Could anyone explain it to me?

xizor

from reading it, the conclusion was that they are the same thing with different names

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

They are not the same thing. Pearl paints used to use actual flakes of mother-of-pearl or crushed pearl to create a soft toned, shimmer effect. Nowadays, they use a synthetic compound with similar light refracting qualities as pearl, but costs a whole lot less. Metallic paint uses actual metal flake mixed in with the paint. This gives the paint a sharper glow and typically, you can see the metal flake in metallic paint if the sun is out and you look closely whereas you really can't see the pearl in "pearl" paints.

And to address the issue brought up in that thread of the automatic tranny being priced the same as the manual, that's actually a bonus. Technically, the base price is for the 6MT and the 5AT is a no-cost option so Acura's explanation is that they're doing AT buyers a huge favor by saving them money.

pby

So basically, there should be no visual difference between the two if we assume similar light refraction/reflection indices. But if you consider the chemical inertness of mother of pearl, then wouldn't this type of paint retain its glossiness longer? That is, if real pearl is used. I imagine, as CGTSX2004 pointed, most compaines don't.

Wonder if there are any exotic car manufacturers using Platinum or Gold in their paints?