Daimler and BASF Coatings have joined forces to develop the Alubeam paint that lends a metallic appearance to the Mercedes-Benz F800. BASF says its Liquid Metal basecoat gives the car a radiant, deep gloss, making it look as if it were made of chrome rather than painted. The research vehicle’s latest appearance was at the Geneva Motor Show.
BASF says Alubeam stretches around the body like a metallic skin, lending the F800 coated in gray metallic a dynamic appearance. The successful integration of a special-effect pigment into a waterborne paint system is the key to the unique metallic look.
Liquid Metal paints use aluminum flakes as effect pigments. For the latest generation of Liquid Metal paints, BASF uses PVDA pigments (physical vapor deposited aluminum). As a result, BASF says the paint has a more uniform, skin-like appearance, emphasizing the important lines and contours of the vehicle design. The surfaces can reflect the light with greater intensity and are given additional gloss.
BASF Coatings’ Liquid Metal is available as a waterborne basecoat. Add-on parts can be painted in the color of the vehicle, too.
More information:
BASF Coatings 
