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Your car's paint job may seem like a minor part of a complex machine, but it is the single most important part when it comes to determining the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle. If you are thinking about changing your current paint job, understanding the differences between the three main types of automotive paint can help you determine the best type of paint for your needs.

Acrylic

Acrylic paint is the most common type of automotive paint on the market, and most new cars will come with an acrylic paint job. Acrylic paint can either be a lacquer or enamel: lacquer creates a glossy and reflective appearance, but does require regular cleaning and buffing in order to maintain the aesthetic. Enamel is a little more expensive, but provides a similar high gloss look with a clear coat of enamel on top, which means that you won't have to worry about anything more than regular car washing to maintain the appearance. The downside of acrylic paint is that it can fade over time with age and wear, and is not as durable as some of the alternatives out there.

Urethane

Urethane paint is the budget option for car paint, which means that it will fit into your budget fairly easily. In addition, urethane tends to be just as durable, if not more so, than regular acrylic automotive paint, which helps to keep your long run maintenance and repainting costs low. Urethane can also be applied without taking off the initial paint job, reducing the costs and time commitment when it comes to having your car painted even further. The main disadvantage of urethane paint is the actual appearance: it does resemble a plastic coating, which some car owners may find to be unattractive, though this is a subjective point.

Metallic

Metallic paint, as the name would suggest, literally has a small amount of metal mixed into the paint to create a bright and reflective surface that is both eye-catching and more durable than other types of automotive paint. The added metal can effectively mask small scratches, dents, and other minor forms of damage that your car may experience due to its highly reflective nature. However, metallic paint is harder to match when it comes to car repairs, which means that the entire car will have to be repainted if you want to restore a uniform appearance in the event of extensive damage – which is much more expensive when compared to other types of automotive paint.

Contact a service, like Downtown Garage & Auto Body, for more help.