If your baked metallic coating looks dull, cloudy, or lacks depth, the root cause is often misunderstood. In many cases, the real issue is not the resin or curing profile—but the aluminium paste itself. 

Aluminium Paste: The Core Material Behind Metallic Texture
Aluminium paste plays a decisive role in baked (stoving) coatings. It controls brightness, flop effect, smoothness, and overall metallic appearance.

In high-temperature curing systems, aluminium paste must maintain:

• Stable flake orientation

• Controlled particle size distribution

• Surface integrity under heat

If these conditions are not met, metallic texture will degrade regardless of resin quality.

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Why Metallic Texture Fails in Baked Coatings

1. Flake deformation during curing
Low-quality aluminium paste may contain flakes with inconsistent thickness. During baking, these flakes can warp or collapse, reducing reflectivity.

2. Poor orientation control
Non-optimized aluminium paste struggles to align parallel to the coating surface. This leads to scattered light reflection and a “grey” or muddy look.

3. Incompatible surface treatment
Uncoated or poorly coated aluminium paste may react with binders or additives at high temperature, damaging the metallic effect.

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Key Technical Parameters That Matter More Than Brightness

Many users focus only on initial brightness. In reality, baked coatings depend on deeper technical indicators:

• Narrow particle size distribution (PSD)

• Consistent diameter-to-thickness ratio

• Heat-resistant surface treatment (resin-coated or silica-treated)

• Low volatile content to prevent defects during curing

According to industry data, aluminium flakes with controlled PSD can improve metallic uniformity by over 30% compared with conventional grades used in stoving systems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does higher brightness always mean better results?
No. Brightness without orientation stability often fails after baking.

Is resin-coated aluminium paste necessary for baked coatings?
In most cases, yes. Resin-coated aluminium paste offers better compatibility and thermal stability.

Can formulation adjustments fix poor metallic texture?
Only partially. If the aluminium paste is unsuitable, formulation changes have limited impact.

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Conclusion: Choose Aluminium Paste for Performance, Not Just Appearance
If your baked metallic coating lacks depth and texture, the aluminium paste is the first place to look. Selecting the right aluminium paste—engineered for heat resistance, orientation, and stability—is essential for premium metallic finishes.

At ZHANGQIU METALLIC PIGMENT CO., LTD (ZQ), we develop aluminium paste solutions specifically for demanding baked coating systems.
For technical support or product recommendations, contact us at info@zqmetallic.com or visit https://zqmetallic.com/.