Solid Colour

Quick answer: Solid colour is a non-metallic paint finish where the car’s colour comes from a plain pigmented layer with no metallic or pearlescent flake, so it looks like a flat, even colour – often still protected by a clearcoat on modern cars.

Solid colour is a colloquial name for a number of older styles of paint system where the car was coated in primer, and then a very thick layer of solid colour with no lacquer. There were several advantages to this style of paintwork, but the disadvantage is that red pigments are very prone to fading. It is becoming increasingly rare to find this kind of paintwork, but we sometimes encounter it on vintage vehicles and some modern commercials.

What it means

Solid colour is the simplest type of automotive paint finish. The colour layer is a straight pigment without metallic or pearlescent particles, so the paint looks like an even block of colour from all angles. On older cars this might be a single-stage paint where colour and gloss are in the same layer. On most modern cars, even solid colours are part of a clear-over-base system – a solid coloured basecoat with a clear lacquer on top.

Why it matters

Different look to metallics and pearls: Solid colours give a clean, classic appearance without sparkle or colour shift, which many people prefer on certain models.
Generally easier to match and repair: Because there is no metallic or pearl flop to worry about, solid colours are often more straightforward to blend and respray, provided the correct formula is used.
Often the “budget” option when new: Manufacturers frequently charge extra for metallic or pearlescent paint, so solid colours are commonly the standard, lower-cost choice on price lists.
Still needs protection and care: Solid paints can fade, oxidise and pick up defects just like metallics, so they benefit from proper washing, polishing and protection.

Where you’ll see it

You will see the term solid colour on new car brochures, option lists and invoices – for example solid white included, metallic paint extra cost. Bodyshops and detailers will also refer to a vehicle as solid red, solid blue or solid white when distinguishing it from metallic or pearlescent finishes for repair and correction work.

Context

Solid colour is one of the main paint categories alongside metallic, pearlescent and special finishes. In a modern clear-over-base system, the solid basecoat provides the colour and the clearcoat provides gloss and much of the protection. In older single-stage systems, the solid paint itself carries both colour and gloss. When assessing or correcting paintwork, knowing whether a finish is solid, metallic or pearl helps set expectations about how it will behave under polishing, how easy it will be to match, and what sort of defects are likely to show.

Also called: Solid colour paint, solid colour finish, solid non-metallic, non-metallic paint, solid color (US)

Opposite of: Metallic, pearlescent and special-effect paints that use flakes or pearls to create sparkle or colour shift

Belongs to: Automotive paintwork, paint types, bodyshop refinishing, car detailing, colour matching and resprays

Measured by: Manufacturer colour code, consistency of colour across panels, gloss and clarity of the clearcoat, presence or absence of defects such as fading, staining and swirl marks

Units: Manufacturer paint code, descriptive type (solid, metallic, pearlescent), film thickness in microns where measured

Related: Metallic paint, pearlescent paint, single-stage paint, clear over base, paintwork, repair and repaint, paint correction, machine polishing, oxidation and fading

Common mistakes

Assuming all solid colours are single-stage paints, when many modern solid finishes still have a separate clearcoat.
Expecting a solid colour to have metallic “sparkle” or pearl effects like higher-cost finishes.
Choosing generic whites or reds for repairs instead of the correct solid colour code, leading to obvious mismatch even without metallic flake.
Thinking solid colours do not need protection because they look simple, when they can fade and oxidise noticeably if not maintained.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 21/11/2025 15:12