Product added to basket
Loading
Loading

Car paint Beginner's Guide

When it comes to paint and auto bodywork, it can be complex to understand the jargon and terms and what they mean to you.

This is where I’m going to try to enlighten you with this beginner’s guide to understanding auto bodywork and finishes. Understanding each type of paint will allow you to make a more informed decision and find the type of car paint that’s best for your car.

Whether you decide to paint your car yourself, have it done by a professional, or buy a new car, it’s important to know the different types of car paint involved in the process.

There’s a base coat finish (primer) that’s typically applied first.

Depending on the car’s paint code, you can choose between a top coat with color or a combination of a base color topped with a clear coat.

Does that make sense? If not, read on and let me try to explain it in more detail.

Below is a picture of a cross-section of a coating, where you can see the different layers in the paint on the car.

Primer
Primer is the “first” coat of paint, so let’s start with that.

When it comes to automotive paint, primer is the preparatory layer that acts as a base coat and comes in shades like gray, white, or black.

Just like when painting walls or wood surfaces, primer is used to prepare the surface for the next coat of paint.

If you try to apply a base coat or clear coat directly to a metal surface without primer, the result will not only look sloppy; the paint will also not bond properly.

This can lead to the paint peeling or cracking. Think of primer as the bonding layer that creates an even surface so that your beautiful color can be applied neatly and lastingly. In addition, most primers also contain rust protection, which protects the metal from rust.

Note that the color choice of the primer has an impact on the final paint result, so remember to choose the right color if you want to start painting yourself.

Basecoat
The next layer is basecoat, and it is exactly what the name suggests — it is the color of the "base," the actual color of the car, which is applied on top of the primer coat.

Here's the important thing: Basecoat/color does not contain any "strengtheners." By that, I mean it is raw paint that sits on top of the primer. It does not protect itself or the primer coat and the metal frame very well; in fact, it does not protect at all.

If the basecoat is left in this raw state, you will likely see visible damage to the paint, which could potentially allow moisture to penetrate and rust the car's frame.

Basecoat is used in conjunction with a clearcoat. It protects the paint, primer, and frame very effectively and also gives the paint a glossier finish thanks to the glossy nature of the clearcoat, unless of course it is a matte clearcoat.

Using a basecoat and a clearcoat is now the most common way to paint a car.

Clearcoat
The final layer is clearcoat — it is applied on top of the base color — and is actually a paint that contains no color or pigment.

- Crazy, right?

The purpose of the clearcoat is not to add color, but to protect the paint (base color) underneath and give the finish you want, whether it is matte or high-gloss/glossy.

One of the biggest culprits for paint fading is the sun's UV rays. That's why clearcoat contains "UV inhibitors" that help prevent ultraviolet rays from fading the car's color.

Well.. what do you think? Have you learned a little more about the structure of car paint? I hope so.

Types of Car Paint Finishes

Let’s jump into the different types of car paint finishes that can be made.

There are many things to consider when buying a car – engine, equipment, rims, etc.

But the color is one of the most personal and visible decisions you’ll make. Whether you have a small city car, a family electric car, or a large SUV, the color choice will really put the finishing touch.

Which color for the car 

Do you know the difference between matte and pearlescent? Maybe.. no, not really..

Read on, and I'll try to explain the different types of car paint that you can choose from.

In addition to the color itself, there are several types of paint finishes to choose from.

Different types of car paint finishes

You can go with solid (non-metallic), metallic, matte or pearlescent.

There are also effect paints, but they are rare, as they are more expensive colors. It can certainly be done, but it often requires you to spend a little more money on the appearance of your car.

What is solid varnish?

Let's start with the traditional and classic choice: solid paint.

Solid paint is a type of car paint without metallic or pearlescent pigments, which gives a uniform, opaque finish.

If you are going to buy a car from new, then you want that type of car to come with a range of limited colors that you can choose from. Here, colors with solid paint will often be cheaper than metallic. However, this is not always the case.

Solid paint is no worse than the others, but the appearance may be less "flashy", but there is no reason to hold back - solid paint is practical and easy to maintain.

If you want a car that stands out, solid paint may not be as eye-catching as, for example, metallic paint. On the used car market, cars with metallic paint can also have a higher resale value.

One of the advantages is that, as mentioned, solid paint is often easier to repair damage to cars with solid paint.

What is metallic paint?

Metallic paint is a car paint that contains small metal particles, which give a shiny, reflective shine and finish.

Metallic paint colors look especially impressive in natural light, but even on a gray day they still look great and unlike solid paint, there will be more "play" in metallic paint.

When you buy a new car, metallic paint will often be an option and will typically be more expensive (typically 5000-10,000 kroner). If you care about how your car looks and you like the slightly exclusive look, metallic paint can definitely be worth the money.

When it comes to repairs, metallic paint is a little trickier. It can be difficult to hit the exact color and shine for minor damage precisely because the metal flakes in the paint must match the existing surface, but for professional auto refinishers this is no problem - they have the technique and the process under control.

What is pearlescent lacquer?

Pearlescent paint gives your car an extra intense shine – even more than metallic colors – but it often comes with a higher price tag.

The pearlescent effect is created using tiny ceramic crystals (often called Xirallic or Mica), which both reflect and refract light in a way that creates a beautiful depth and play of color. Depending on the light, you can experience changes in the color tone, making the paint even more vibrant and dynamic.

But there are also disadvantages. Pearlescent paint is more susceptible to scratches and minor damage, and it can be more of a challenge to repair. If you need to repaint a damaged part, it can be difficult to achieve the exact color and shine again – especially because the pearlescent effect depends on several layers of paint that must be applied correctly.

What is matte varnish?

Matte paint is a car color with a flat, non-reflective surface that gives a modern, muted look without shine.

There are two ways to achieve a matte look.

One way is to build up a base color that needs to be overcoated with matte clear coat. Clear coat is often high-gloss, but matte clear coat is also available.

The other way is to use a top coat that is matte in itself, meaning color and clear coat combined in one product. This is called top coat, and is perhaps more commonly seen on industrial and large vehicle paint jobs.

I think matte paint seems to be a more popular color choice, especially on electric cars. Matte paint is typically seen in shades of silver, gray, or black.

Matte paint absorbs more light than it reflects, which gives a muted shine with a unique texture. This finish is often seen on larger cars, such as SUVs, where it gives an exclusive and raw look.

Color Choice - Which Car Color Should You Choose?

Red, Blue, White or Black. The Color of Your Next Car. Color choice is all about personal preference. Ultimately, choosing the right car color is a matter of personal taste, so the most important thing is to choose the color you like best.

Final remarks

I hope you now have a better understanding of car paint and the different finishes you may encounter.

There are of course many more details and deeper explanations of some of the concepts you have read about in this article, but the aim has been to give you a basic understanding, and I hope I have succeeded. It may be that the next time you walk through the parking lot of your local supermarket, you can say to yourself. A metallic paint, a solid paint, that was metallic paint.

Do you need help?

At Lakgruppen we do not offer the actual paintjob, but we supply first-class car paint from some of the world's leading manufacturers.

We supply to car repair shops throughout several european countries. If you want your car painted, we can refer you to one of our reliable partners.

Our goal is to focus on offering quality products at competitive prices in the most efficient and manageable way, which is why you will find everything you need for painting in our webshop.

FAQ

How do I find my car's paint code?
Every car has a unique code that specifies the exact color the car is painted in.

The code is usually found on a sticker somewhere in the car, often inside the door frame or under the hood. You can read my post on How to Find the Color Code on Your Car.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Car?

The price of painting a car varies depending on the type of paint. A full repaint can cost several thousand kroner, as components must be removed, sanded, dried, covered, and painted.

Not only is it a process that costs labor time, but it also requires you to have the right equipment available to achieve a great finish. You need to control the temperature, technique, and your surroundings.

How do you prefer to contact us?

We try to be as responsive as possible

email icon

Send a message

phone icon

Write on messenger

Write to us on Whatsapp

Write to us on Whatsapp

phone icon

Have us call you

customer service lakgruppen icon

Call us

Send a message

We'll get back asap

 

Have us call you

Skip the phone queue. Let us call you

 

Call us

If you need to talk to us now

+45 8874 4000

Odense

Stenhuggervej 30

5230 Odense M

Danmark

Opening hours

  • Monday 08:00 - 16:00
  • Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
  • Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
  • Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
  • Friday 08:00 - 15:30
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed

Holidays & Closing days

  • Thursday 17 April 2025
  • Friday 18 April 2025
  • Monday 21 April 2025
  • Friday 16 May 2025
  • Thursday 29 May 2025
  • Friday 30 May 2025
  • Monday 09 June 2025
  • Monday 22 December 2025
  • Tuesday 23 December 2025
  • Wednesday 24 December 2025
  • Thursday 25 December 2025
  • Friday 26 December 2025
  • Monday 29 December 2025
  • Tuesday 30 December 2025
  • Wednesday 31 December 2025
  • Thursday 01 January 2026

Get in touch with sales?

Let see if we have a solution that fits you

email icon

Write a message to sales

phone icon

Have sales call you

calender icon

Book a meeting with Sales

Write a message to sales

We'll try to be as responsive as possible

 

Have sales call you

We'll get back to you fast

 

Book a meeting with Sales

Whenever fits you best.