SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF CREATING SPARKLE EFFECT IN EXTERIOR VEHICLE PAINT AND USING GLASS FLAKE
A method of applying paint to a panel for fainting a sparkle effect on the panel includes depositing a primer layer on a surface of the panel; depositing a base coat layer over the primer layer, the base coat layer defining a predetermined color; and applying a clear coat layer over the base coat layer, the clear coat layer including a plurality of glass flakes.
1 . A method of applying paint to a panel for forming a sparkle effect on the panel, the method comprising the steps of:
depositing a primer layer on a surface of the panel;
depositing a base coat layer over the primer layer, the base coat layer defining a predetermined color; and
applying a clear coat layer over the base coat layer, the clear coat layer including a plurality of glass flakes.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the glass flakes have a predetermined concentration in the clear coat layer to provide a predetermined sparkle effect.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the glass flakes comprises a metal-coated glass.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the glass flakes comprise gold-coated glass.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a percentage of the glass flakes in the clear coat layer is at least 1%.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the glass flakes have a nominal screen dimension across the flake of between 50 μm and 500 μm.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the glass flakes have a screen dimension across the flake of more than 500 μm.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the glass flakes include at least some flakes having a nominal screen dimension across the flake within a first range and at least some flakes having a nominal screen dimension across the flake within a second range that does not overlap the first range.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the glass flakes have a predetermined concentration in the clear coat layer.
10 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing an additional clear coat layer over the clear coat layer and the glass flakes.
11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of curing the layers.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the glass flakes have an aspect ratio of at least 10:1.
13 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the color coat later and the glass flakes are applied with a paint gun.
14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the primer layer has greater binding properties with the surface of the panel than the base coat layer has with the surface of the panel.
15 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of tinting the primer layer to closely meter the predetermined color.
16 . A paint application for a panel for forming a sparkle effect on the panel, the paint application comprising:
a primer layer deposited on a surface of the panel;
a base coat layer deposited over the primer layer, the base coat layer defining a predetermined color; and
a clear coat layer applied over the base coat layer, the clear coat layer including a plurality of glass flakes.