Topic: Why is that Silver/Grey never looks shiny?

['78 LadyBird]

Why does the paint on vehicles, that color, never seem to shine?

Is there something we should have the body shop add to the paint to make it really stand out and shine, when the time comes to repaint the TA of course?

[ih8z28s]

Due to the nature of the color(it's light) the darker colors have more contrast with the light source.  a good way to add some reflective nature to the silver paint is to add some pearl into the clear coat, but be careful, if you add to much it'll have a yellowish tint to it.  Make sure you use a white pearl.

[Rick]

Why does the paint on vehicles, that color, never seem to shine?

That's the reason I did not order my car in silver when I bought it.  They were all that way from the factory.

['78 LadyBird]

Ahhhhh, but I must say, it doesn't show the dust or dirt as much as the darker colors.  

I remember my gold TA did show a lot of dirt, but not dust.  My red TA showed dirt and dust.

Well, I guess I shouldn't complain, because I am VERY lucky to even own one again!  I just like shinny things!

[Jonnyscotti]

I just like shinny things!

I don't know a woman that doesn't! 

[Grand73Am]

Normally with a metallic color like Silver, you would use basecoat/clearcoat paint. The clearcoat will be glossier and create more depth than the old original lacquer paint had. Get it buffed out by the painter too, and it will be very slick and shiny.

[78w72]

If "shiny" is more important than the original silver color (paint code 15), some of the newer cars' silvers are quite a bit shinier.  My dad's VW Passat is painted "Reflex Silver", and it is shiny and looks "brighter" than normal silvers. 

[BACnBLK]

I've noticed on the metalic paint's..That a certain way the sun hit's it they do seem to lose their sheen. Walk around the other shady side look's shiney. My Solar Gold does it....

[Frode_skj]

I think my TATA is rather shiny? :S maybe not so easy to see on pictures etc, but shiny it is Could barely see the road because of the reflection from the sun one time I just had it polished

[LilSki]

Be glad the car is silver and it hides dust. My car may look shiny but what a nightmare in the dust department. By the time you finish dusting the back of the car the hood is dusty again. It's a never ending battle...