Silver finishes remain a popular choice by stylists for almost all coatings applications. Perhaps the most requested silver finish is a mirror, liquid metal or chrome-like effect. Strong image clarity combined with high travel give products the premium look desired by consumers. In the past, a true mirror-like metallic effect could only be achieved by plating or vacuum metallization. For coating developers, the pigments that best mimic this effect are aluminum vacuum-metallized pigments (VMPs).
These pigments can be viewed as analogous to puzzle pieces. The desired mirror look is first created in a continuous film, which is then broken down into smaller, more manageable parts – like the pieces of a puzzle. The challenge for the coatings industry is to put those pieces back together in a practical coating. This article highlights the properties of VMP aluminum and provides tips on how to complete this puzzle and create the liquid metal look desired by customers.