A study published in the journal Color Research & Application concludes that the background color of certain industrial coatings—the paint's own color—does not affect the visual perception of "sparkle" or "graininess," typical characteristics of metallic pigments. These properties are fundamental to the appearance of coatings used in sectors such as the automotive industry.
The findings from the research, involving personnel from the Daza de Valdés Optics Institute (CSIC), the University of Alicante, and the company PPG Ibérica, suggest this evidence could simplify the quantification of the visual appearance of these materials. This would facilitate the development of more robust and universal measurement methods for the color industry.
Samples analyzed under diffuse lighting conditions revealed that the paint's color hue has minimal impact on the perception of sparkle and graininess. Observer assessments were consistent across samples of different hues, indicating that these visual effects primarily depend on the physical characteristics of the metallic particles, rather than the underlying paint color.
The research team concludes that this finding contributes to a better understanding of how we perceive special-effect finishes. Furthermore, it may facilitate the development of more reliable evaluation methods for the industry by reducing the need for color-specific corrections.
