A car has long ceased to be just a means of transport. Technological progress will not only improve the internal content of cars and remove speed restrictions. The shape of the body, headlights, radiator grilles, and interior interior changes.
Radical changes also affected the color of the body. Increasingly, owners are using it as a way of self-expression or an opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Airbrushing, chrome coating, PVC stickers, enamels of unimaginable shades - this is already a passed stage. One of the latest proposals for lovers of innovation is color-changing car enamels.
Types of changing car enamels
Even in the last century, the idea of obtaining auto enamels capable of changing the exterior of a vehicle in a matter of minutes seemed fantastic. It was used in practice only by authors of books about spies and special agents or successfully used in films on similar topics. In recent years, this idea has not only come to life, but has also been successfully implemented.
Three types of car paints of this type are already commercially produced. They can be combined into three groups according to the principles of changing body color.
- Thermal auto enamels that change color when the ambient temperature increases (or decreases).
- Hydroenamels that change color when exposed to moisture.
- Paramagnetic paints that change the color of the coating under the influence of electricity, remotely using a remote control.
A car that changes color can be encountered on a regular highway. Today, any owner will be able to diversify his life by repainting his car in bold, daring and bright colors of chameleon paints.
Why doesn't such paint exist?
Several facts can be cited to prove that paramagnetic paint does not exist:
- There are no materials in nature that have the ability to change their color under the influence of a magnetic field. Scientists also failed to artificially synthesize such a substance.
- Dubious online stores sell such paint at suspiciously low prices. There are no official dealers of this technology either in our country, or in neighboring countries, or even in the USA, where this painting material was allegedly invented. If there were a manufacturer, he would set an exorbitantly high price for such an invention.
- There are no statements from any global automaker, even in passing, regarding the possible use of this kind of paint on their cars. This is very strange, because such technology can cause an increase in demand for the company's products.
- You can find reviews from people who allegedly applied a paramagnetic coating to their car, but all of them turn out to be false. These are tricks of scammers who are trying to make money from gullible customers.
Of course, we cannot rule out the fact that scientists are working hard to invent such technology, and someday it will appear. But now the color-changing machine is just a fiction that dishonest people are trying to make money from.
Video. Simulating the effect
Features of applying thermal enamels
Thermal enamel is a car paint that reacts to temperature fluctuations in the environment.
Reducing or increasing the temperature allows you to change the color of the body paint. The following base colors for thermal enamels are used: green, yellow, blue (or light blue), purple, red (or pink) and black. To add creativity to your car, you can also cover it with a design or patterns that appear differently when the temperature changes.
Expert opinion
Ilya Vyacheslavovich
Consultant for body repair at krasymavto.ru
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The basis of thermal enamel are special microscopic particles in the form of granules. They change color due to their heat sensitivity when the environment cools or warms.
Initially colorless leuco dyes (liquid crystals) act as a coloring pigment. When the specified temperature indicators are reached, the crystals acquire a certain color.
Interesting! Temperature thresholds can be set. Paint can be applied to a car either manually (using a sponge, brush or roller) or with a special spray gun.
The latter option will allow you to more evenly distribute the filling over the surface of the machine. If the paint is applied in several layers of different temperatures, you can get a unique color effect. This enamel does not contain toxic components.
In addition to the advantages, these paints also have disadvantages.
| Minuses | Use of thermal enamels |
| They are very sensitive to ultraviolet light. | To protect the surface of a body coated with thermal enamel, it should be painted with a special varnish. The car will have to be kept in the garage. |
| Partial painting is difficult. | There is no option to repaint a small area in case of repair; the entire car will need to be painted. |
| The question of registering such a car. | This will prove to be a problem because the paint on it is not a consistent color. |
| High price. | It is also not one of the advantages, but, in comparison with other types of similar enamel, the combination of “price plus quality” is more balanced. |
This paint provides more conditions for creating unique decors. In addition to its spectacular appearance, thermal enamel allows you to improve the thermoregulation of the interior by changing light and dark coatings that reflect or absorb heat.
Paint that changes the color of a car
Today, there are three main types of products that are used to decorate a car body. Each type has its own specific parameters, so you need to consider everything in detail.
Thermochromic car paint
This is a very expensive material, but it has an amazing effect and is in great demand among styling fans.
The heat-sensitive mixture allows patterns to appear on the surface as the temperature increases.
How it works:
- An image that is invisible is applied to a specific area of the coating.
- As the temperature rises, it will appear, become colored, and the car begins to look very stylish.
Such products are very responsive to changes in ambient temperature. They can be used in conjunction with conventional enamels, so they are suitable for many cars that are currently in production.
This paint gives a spectacular appearance: images are shown in separate areas or patterns will replace each other in different tones.
You can get a very beautiful appearance if you make a pattern using an airbrush. This type of work makes it possible to create complex images using different tones, tints, and transitions.
This option has both pros and cons. Among the advantages it is worth mentioning:
- External attractiveness.
- You can turn any idea into reality.
- Increased thermoregulation inside the machine.
- You can combine different colors, taking into account different temperatures.
In addition, this composition does not contain corrosive, caustic additives that are dangerous to humans. Among the shortcomings it is worth mentioning:
- Repair work cannot be carried out. If any defects appear, you will have to change all the paint.
- High price. The cost of a thermochromic agent is high.
- You need to register with the relevant authorities.
Hydrochromic paint for cars
This is also a very original option. Here, the image that is applied first will appear on the surface after being wet with water.
This enamel is best used by those who live in rainy and cold climates where there is a lot of precipitation.
This machine design is used for certain patterns.
They almost never completely cover the entire surface, so the price of such paint is quite high, but it is very suitable for creating a specific image on a specific basis: doors, wheel arches, hood, bumper, fenders, and so on.
As with the previously described substance, this product does not release toxins, therefore it is completely safe for humans. The substance does not harm old paint.
Airbrushes for professional work will help you create real masterpieces.
Paramagnetic car paint
This composition has the advantages of the two means described above, and it has a big advantage: the image can be seen on the surface if you simply press the remote control.
Painting with hydraulic enamel
Hydroautoenamel - hydrochromic paint - changes its color and the color of the car when it comes into contact with moisture. This paint includes microgranules that are sensitive to moisture. Without the action of water, such a car coating is a white surface.
Expert opinion
Ilya Vyacheslavovich
Consultant for body repair at krasymavto.ru
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When exposed to water, the white outer coating becomes transparent, revealing the color of the lowermost colored layer.
Hydrochromic paint coating provides the car owner with an order of magnitude fewer options than heat-sensitive paint. However, this type of vehicle painting is also successfully used by some car enthusiasts.
This type of car enamel allows you to not completely paint the body using hydrochromic dyes. You can paint individual areas with such hydraulic enamel, hiding various decorative elements under them. The latter then appear when the car is exposed to moisture.
Useful! The substances that make up this paint are non-toxic and do not harm nature or human health.
Main types of paint
Developers of car accessories have finally solved the problem of changing the color of a car body without a permanent painting procedure; they have created special enamels that react to different environmental conditions. Today you can already find the following types of paints on sale, which can change color as a result of certain effects on the surface:
- Heat sensitive paint. Changes color as a result of changes in ambient temperature. Depending on the temperature, the color will be uneven and partial.
- Hydrochromic paint. May change color solely as a result of exposure to water on the surface of the coating. Water temperature doesn't matter. The color will change unevenly - only those parts where moisture has entered will be affected.
- Paramagnetic paint. Changing the color scheme is carried out at the request of the car owner himself. All manipulations are performed using a special remote control. Uniform color change. There are several shades available at the same time.
So far, only three types of car enamel have been developed that can qualitatively change the color of the vehicle. The principle of operation of each of them is produced as a result of the influence of various factors.
On video: the effect of paramagnetic paint.
Changing the body color from the remote control: paramagnetic auto enamel
Information about the development of unusual innovative enamel appeared quite recently. This new product allows you to change the color of any car in a split second - simply by a signal received from the control panel (with the ability to control remotely).
For these purposes, a new material is used, which is called paramagnetic auto enamel. It was developed for several years by the leader in the production of innovative auto coatings - the Nissan brand.
The essence of the technology is to apply a special polymer to the body surface before painting, including, among other things, paramagnetic elements of iron oxide.
Under the influence of electric current, the distance between the particles of this polymer decreases or increases. The light-reflecting properties of the outer coating change, and the car's paint takes on a different color. The change occurs from the control panel.
Interesting! This effect only works when the car engine is running.
When it is not working, the car turns white - the original color option. The technology of painting cars with paramagnetic polymers is one of the most promising and most interesting.
This type is also the most expensive of paint coatings. This process is of great interest among car enthusiasts and a lot of criticism: such fantastic technologies are difficult to believe.
The car owner will need to decide whether he would be interested in a car with a white background on the body when the engine is off.
Components and paint application procedure
This paintwork material is made on the basis of high-quality polymer. It has the following advantages: high elasticity, long service life, not afraid of external influences, and so on.
During the paint application procedure, the final coat will consist of iron oxide paint. For this option to work, experts connect a wire with a low electrical flow to the body.
Preparing the car for painting
Preparing a car for self-painting with auto enamel that changes the color is no different from work before regular painting. Tools for painting and sanding, sandpaper, auto enamels and solvents are purchased before starting the process.
Old enamel and minor areas of corrosion are carefully cleaned from the car surface. This is best done with a small grinder, preferably one with adjustable rotation speed.
A grinder (grinder) will be needed to remove a layer of old paint, existing small pockets of corrosion, as well as for final polishing of the body. It is necessary to select this tool with a small mass and the ability to adjust the rotation speed.
In case of serious damage, welding is used, welding problem areas with “patches”. Smaller damage can be repaired with fiberglass putty. Then it must be carefully sanded.
Information! The result should be a body of ideal shape, without surface defects. Only after this can you begin painting work.
How to apply thermochromic paint
Existing tools for applying other paints and varnishes do an excellent job of painting a car body with thermochromic paint. To do this, you can successfully use rollers, sponges, regular brushes and sprayers.
Of course, the best effect will be achieved using an airbrush, but its use necessarily requires special skills in handling it. So, if you decide to “pump” your car yourself, in this particular case it is better to contact a specialist with the proper qualifications, unless, of course, the owner of the car himself is one.
Why does the color change?
Paramagnetic paint changes its own shade under the influence of electricity. Iron oxide crystallizes in the polymer, and then, depending on the distance between the individual particles, even varies in color. The driver presses a button on the remote control, applying a light discharge to the surface.
Car paint remains inconsistent. It transforms, instantly moving from one state to another. The physical process is not science fiction, because similar properties of crystals were studied centuries ago. Previously, they were practically not used in practice, but now they have become indispensable. Initially, the principles were needed for camouflage in aviation, but now they are available to ordinary drivers tired of the daily monotony.
Painting a car with hammer paint
Unusual painting of a car with this type of paint will absolutely attract the attention of others!
Its special feature is the unique frost effect on the glass. It is worth noting that hammer paint was known and popular back in Soviet times; all previously presented car painting options do not have the same durability and reliability as this one. It is very, very difficult to peel off the enamel, and besides, it is not afraid of sudden temperature changes. A particularly significant advantage of hammer paint is that it can be applied directly to a rusty surface, without any preparatory work or primer. Any external defect of the car can be easily hidden with its help. Interestingly, this type of coating got its name due to the fact that the painted surface visually resembles the surface of a hammer head. Also another, lesser known name for this paint is blacksmith paint.
The paint is based on alkyd-styrene and epoxy bases; it also contains fine glass and aluminum powder. It is thanks to these components that the paint acquires special strength and resistance to corrosion.
Another advantage of this coating is its wide color spectrum, which even includes golden and copper shades. In addition, thanks to the metallic shine, it will give the impression that the car is mirrored.
You can buy paint at any large hardware store; most often they also sell varnish along with it, which will help consolidate the effect and give the car an even more mirror-like appearance.
When it is applied to the car body, you should get a small shagreen patch.
The most popular, but also expensive, is hammer paint from the English company Hammerite, however, our domestic manufacturers of hammer enamel are no worse than their foreign competitors.
It is worth noting that it is best to apply this paint with a velor roller, since this effect cannot be achieved with a gun. When painting a car with a spray gun, you should apply about 4 layers. The effect will be wonderful!
Rules for painting cars with hammer paint
More and more often, car enthusiasts have a question: how to paint a car cheaply? Experts note that to paint a car with hammer paint at home, you do not need to spend huge sums of money; the costs consist only of spending on the paint itself and on the brush.
Color changing paint – myth or reality
Developers of the highest quality paints and varnishes (for example, Candy) and representatives of the global automotive industry claim that a real miracle has been created - a product with the ability to change color. The developments of scientists in this area cause many conflicting opinions. The most discussed is the so-called paramagnetic paint - a polymer composition that changes color under the influence of electric current due to a change in the distance between metal particles.
Paramagnetic paint can take on a different color only when the car engine is turned on. It is claimed that the owner will be able to change the shade to a completely new one in a second from the remote control. Car paint that changes color from the remote control? Unfortunately, attempts to purchase such material in stores or on the Internet end in failure. Similar materials are used to paint the bodies of the most expensive cars, and are also used to mark airplanes and helicopters.
At the same time, the properties of paints are greatly exaggerated - they can indeed change shade, but to a similar, lighter or darker one, or acquire a metallic sheen. There are also heat-sensitive paints, which are expensive and are used only in industrial settings.
Candy paint for cars
One of the most popular is Candy acrylic paint.
It is the shades of Candy that allow you to create a unique pattern on the body. Paints of this brand are classified as transparent; they do not create a dense layer, but give the car a mirror-like colorful color. Experts recommend applying Candy to the car body using a special technique - glazing. There are 11 tones in the color line, but you can easily mix them and get your own unique color and shade. It is worth noting that it is thanks to Candy that the color transitions in airbrushing become smooth and even, the design turns out bright and shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow. Due to the special dye, Candy's color range is the most saturated and bright, other manufacturers cannot boast of this!
This paint can be purchased in 3 different versions:
Benefits of changing color
A car that changes its own hue will seem fantastic. Having seen it in person, a person will definitely be interested in this option. Although a serious problem remains - the high cost of the composition. It forces you to evaluate the benefits by deciding whether such costs are necessary.
If the car changes color due to water, the owner is not happy with it. Such chemical compositions quickly fell out of favor. The new polymer is more practical and useful, so it’s worth considering each plus in detail.
Beautiful design
The attractiveness of a vehicle requires a special approach from owners. They often have to look for original external elements or think about airbrushing. The new proposal from manufacturers makes it possible to abandon this, because by pressing a single button a person gets into a new car.
A color changing car is sure to attract everyone's attention. The surprise of its transformation will be indispensable for drivers. Depending on their own mood or time of day, they will show their abilities, remaining unrecognizable right on the road.
Durability
A polymer composition based on iron oxide creates an irresistible protective layer for the car. Small crystals cover the surface of the body, making it inaccessible to mechanical damage. Previously, it was necessary to use several products at once, wasting a lot of time.
The durability of the new coating is one of the secrets of its benefits. By using it, you can instantly save yourself from constant care and regular body repairs. The vehicle will remain in excellent condition for a long time, acquiring indescribable beauty.
Ease of Management
Do you want to change the body color? It is worth using the control panel. Yes, independent connection is impossible, because it is necessary to transfer light electrical discharges to the surface. Only a visit to a large car service guarantees the correct execution of work, which will subsequently give you unforgettable trips.
The only control panel and no difficulties. This is a secret that has interested motorists. Meeting a unique car on the road, they thought that it remained a fantasy, but this is not so. Switching occurs at any time, which means the trip will never become boring.
Manufacturers took advantage of the physical properties of crystals to create a unique paint coating. It has an amazing feature that does not go unnoticed. Because of this, car owners should be interested in the new offer, without thinking about the cost, which is completely justified.
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Flakes for car painting
Car flakes are decorative glitter that is most often used when creating airbrushing.
The whole point of this type of car surface decoration is multi-layer painting, where each new layer of varnish is applied taking into account the effect of refraction and reflection of light. It is to create this effect that special flakes are used, the color and size of which can be completely different. For example, they produce glitter in the shape of diamonds, stars, etc. Experts note that irregularly shaped glitter looks more advantageous, as it is well distributed over the surface of the car.
It is also worth noting that painting with flakes is a so-called one-time procedure, since it is very difficult to get the same color a second time. Another good option for painting a car is a combination of two colors, with the addition of those same sparkles.
The blackest car paint
An artist from England has created the blackest paint in the world!
Initially, the development of paint with this color was carried out by Surrey NanoSystems; they managed to create a substance called Vantablack. However, it had a lot of disadvantages, such as a huge price and a persistent chemical smell. Then the artist Stuart Sample, together with other specialists, created a similar option, the price of which was much lower. The black acrylic paint is called “BLACK 2.0” and smells like cherry. This paint can be used to cover anything, and particularly creative car enthusiasts have already painted their cars in this unique color. To get an even and rich color, you only need 1 layer - and the car will look like a piece of darkness on the street. The cost of paint is $15 for 150 ml.
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