BASF Coatings and DaimlerChrysler develop eye-catcher with “Liquid Metal” – new effect class launched

Münster / Sindelfingen. Liquid Metal, a new paint developed together by DaimlerChrysler and BASF Coatings gleams like – liquid metal. The successful integration of a special-effect pigment into a waterborne paint system is behind the extreme metallic look. This makes the visual attention-getter environmentally friendly and means it complies with all environmental legislation. The project teams from DaimlerChrysler and BASF Coatings began working together in 2004. A great deal of research work and tests was required before the new effect class could be launched.

Liquid Metal stretches around the metal parts like a metallic skin, emphasizing the design lines and vehicle contours more strongly than any other finish and making them even livelier through targeted light reflection. Mercedes is the world’s first car manufacturer to use the process that makes this all possible. The special-effect particles are thinner and flatter than the particles in regular metallic paints. This makes the light reflect more intensively and intensifies the gloss, producing an extremely metallic look that cannot be achieved with conventional metallic colors.

Liquid Metal calls for an elaborate preparatory process prior to painting, beginning with the substrate of the vehicle body. It needs to be extremely smooth and even in order to prevent any unevenness from showing through.

The new paint is offered by Mercedes as part of its designo program.