Innovations in the paint industry over the years mean that today’s architects have infinite options for choosing the right colours and finishes for their projects.
Vaibhav’s team constantly works hard to expand the limits of colour. But beyond just colour, we try to suggest coating systems that are made to last while providing a vibrant sparkle.
Over the past few years, paint manufacturers have developed high-performance coatings with a Metalescent aesthetic, all while expanding colour spaces and enhancing performance. Metalescent pigments comprises tiny flakes of aluminium, mica, or other effect pigments. The size, shape, and concentration of these flakes influence the shine and finished look of a coating.
Previous to recent innovations, the industry standard was to use flakes of aluminium to achieve sparkling metallic effects in paint. The only problem was that because of aluminium’s composition, a clear coat was required to prevent oxidation. This meant that it was standard for a project to take three coats: a primer, the colour coat, and a clear coat on the top.
Now through the use of mica, paint developers can add the perfect sparkle to a coating while bypassing the need for a protective topcoat. Since mica is stable and inert, it doesn’t react with elements or to the environment in the way that aluminium does. Mica doesn’t oxidize and degrade like aluminium flakes do when exposed, meaning that mica-based systems often don’t need a topcoat in order to perform. Reducing systems from three coats to two ultimately saves architects time and money.
Furthermore, innovations in developing these mica-based coatings mean that the product can better withstand exposure to sun, moisture, humidity, heat, and temperature fluctuations, which can corrode coatings and cause vibrant colours to fade. These systems are rigorously tested, designed to perform, and can maintain colour and gloss integrity for better performing and more consistent products.
The world of coatings is always changing, and we have more options than ever to bring their visions to life.
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