Metallic v Non Metallic?

Shefwedfan

Ok, so a mate is looking to buy a car. Has kept an eye out and garage has one with the spec he is looking for and in stock. The issue I see is the paint is white non metallic. This might be non issue

He doesn't mind a white car but is concerned with non Metallic.

I am not sure if massive difference but I do know the likes of Leaseplan say non-Metallic cars have a high depreciation. No idea why.

Is it a massive difference? or if you are getting the paint work done regular in detailing company will it make a huge difference? he gets his done at least once a year.....

What do people think?

JoeA3

It makes zero difference. White is generally non metallic anyway barring the odd exception and it’s still a very desirable colour on a lot of cars.

Gravelly

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Ok, so a mate is looking to buy a car. Has kept an eye out and garage has one with the spec he is looking for and in stock. The issue I see is the paint is white non metallic. This might be non issue

He doesn't mind a white car but is concerned with non Metallic.

I am not sure if massive difference but I do know the likes of Leaseplan say non-Metallic cars have a high depreciation. No idea why.

Is it a massive difference? or if you are getting the paint work done regular in detailing company will it make a huge difference? he gets his done at least once a year.....

What do people think?

I think the effect of metallic paint is hugely overstated (usually by new car salespeople who want you to stump up a ridiculous premium for it). In many colours it makes little to no difference in used sale value or ease of sale. I doubt it will make much difference in white.

colm_mcm

White red and black are the only colours you can get away with from an easy resale point of view. White is a popular colour now and whether it’s pearl white or not generally makes no odds.

Shefwedfan

Thanks for the advice

Was talking to someone and they said it will look dull very quickly if non metallic?

I guess if he is getting paintwork detailed anyway it would keep it shiny?

bazz26

Depends on the particular car make too, some white paints have a better finish than others irrespective of whether they are flat or gloss.

JoeA3

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Thanks for the advice

Was talking to someone and they said it will look dull very quickly if non metallic?

I guess if he is getting paintwork detailed anyway it would keep it shiny?

Most red cars are non metallic. I know a fella with a red GTI and you’d need sunglasses when looking at it - at night!. So the someone your were talking to was talking a lot of crap tbh. Years ago some colours, especially red, used to fade and de lacquer really badly after only a few years. But that’s unheard of now. If you see that on a modern paint finish metallic or not, there’s something very wrong.

There’s a big detailing sub forum on here and the guys on there would give you loads of tips. But basically, a lot of it is down to good prep - removing the crap like tar and contaminants (safely) and removing any minor defects with a polish and then you’ve got a great base to work with. Just don’t go and ruin it by bringing it to a filing station car wash.

DaveyDave

I have a flat white Golf. The only metallic white car I've seen was a CHR in a Toyota garage. Admittedly the metallic flakes looked nice close up but you wouldn't notice it even if you walked right past it. You had to actually look at the paint to notice it.

My car is pretty shiny after a wash, on a sunny day you'd almost need sunglasses to look at it. It can look a bit dull after a few weeks but I think that's down to it not being washed as often as a black car for example as white doesn't look as dirty as other colours.

Shefwedfan

DaveyDave wrote: »

I have a flat white Golf. The only metallic white car I've seen was a CHR in a Toyota garage. Admittedly the metallic flakes looked nice close up but you wouldn't notice it even if you walked right past it. You had to actually look at the paint to notice it.

My car is pretty shiny after a wash, on a sunny day you'd almost need sunglasses to look at it. It can look a bit dull after a few weeks but I think that's down to it not being washed as often as a black car for example as white doesn't look as dirty as other colours.

Thanks, it is a Golf he is looking at.....

R.O.R

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Thanks, it is a Golf he is looking at.....

The white metallic in the Golf is Oryx White. Can't remember the exact cost off the top of my head but it's quite a bit more than the other metallic colours, so just stick with non metallic white.

There is a white silver as well, which looks like the colour white pants go after a few years. Old underpant grey is the trade name.

JoeA3

R.O.R wrote: »

The white metallic in the Golf is Oryx White. Can't remember the exact cost off the top of my head but it's quite a bit more than the other metallic colours, so just stick with non metallic white.

There is a white silver as well, which looks like the colour white pants go after a few years. Old underpant grey is the trade name.

Ha ha y-fronts white. I’ve seen photos of that colour on high spec’d GTI’s and R’s and I thought it looked stunning. Maybe it needs the extra bling of the go faster models to look “right”.