What's the difference between pearlescent and metallic paint on a car?

Goniochromism is the property of certain surfaces to change their colour depending on the angle under which they are viewed. From a physics standpoint this is rather uncommon behaviour, and in man-made objects this is usually only found in paints that are specifically designed for the effect.





Examples are pearlescent paints or interference pigments, which are sometimes used for custom paintjobs on cars. Some specially woven fabrics can also exhibit such behaviour. Natural examples of goniochromism can be found in the appearance of certain insects, such as the Morpho butterfly, whose metallic-looking wings exhibit a colour shift depending on the observation angle.





Metallic paint however cotains a colouring that looks the same whenever it is viewedWhat's the difference between pearlescent and metallic paint on a car?
I believe pearlescent paint is the kind that changes colour depending upon where it is viewed from, while metallic is a simple straight colour assosciated with metal eg silver gold etc.What's the difference between pearlescent and metallic paint on a car?
pearlescents, or 'flip' colours differ from metallic paints in one basic way. metallics, as the name suggests, have tiny metal pieces within the paint. Flip paints, on the other hand, have multi-sided 3d pieces within the paint which refract %26amp; reflect the light in such a way that the car changes colour.


I used to sell the damn stuff, but i must admit, I have forgotten the correct technical jargon. hope it helps
the first one u asked about changes colour under different light