New and Innovative Testing Technologies for Effect Finishes
Sandra Weixel
Product Manager
BYK-Gardner

The look of effect finishes is continuously changing to create distinct visual appearances. Therefore, the range of effect pigments – different aluminum grades to special pearlescent pigments – used in automotive and industrial applications is increasing. Designers are seeking colors which can change their look depending on the lighting conditions to pronounce the styling of a product. These types of effect finishes can appear grayish under cloudy sky, but start to live with colorful sparkling effects in the sunshine.

On the other hand color harmony with add-on parts, uniform application without causing undesirable effects such as “cloudiness or mottling” and easy as well as cost efficient repair (liquid metal) is becoming more and more of a challenge.

New and innovative testing technologies were developed to quantify special effects such as sparkle, graininess and mottling with image analysis. The factors influencing the total color impression will be discussed and explained using several practical application examples.