Name: Metallic Paint
Brand: The Paint Laboratory
SKU: 45-981-444
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (144 reviews)

Metallic Paint

Metallic Paint for walls, casework, exteriors and metal

A durable, low-VOC water-based acrylic metallic finish for residential, commercial and hospitality work. Metallic is available in Interior, Exterior, Super and Direct-To-Metal bases so the coating can be specified around the actual substrate and performance requirement.

For trade projects, the advantage is flexibility: roll, brush or spray it; order quarts, gallons or 5-gallon quantities; use the Metals Collection, another Paint Laboratory color, or develop a custom color for the job. We retain approved custom standards for future production and reorders.

Explore Colors Order Samples

Living room with a fireplace surround finished in Metallic Paint

Light is part of the finish Metallic changes with viewing angle, application direction, surface texture, and the light available in the finished space.

4 base optionsInterior, Exterior, Super, and Direct-To-Metal

400–500 sq. ft.Approximate coverage per gallon, per coat

2+ coatsBuild the pearlescent effect and full color

Roll · Brush · SprayApplication method can intentionally change the final appearance

Project quantitiesQuart, gallon and 5-gallon sizes are available for production work

For specifications and estimates

Plan the base, coat count and application method up front

Metallic is straightforward to specify once the finish system is decided before installation. Base selection, substrate preparation, application method and coat count all affect the final appearance and labor allowance.

Clean or expressive

Spray application can create a more uniform field. Rolling and brushing can leave more visible movement when the project calls for a hand-applied effect.

Depth develops over multiple coats

Early coats establish the color and reflective material. Additional coats improve opacity, evenness, and the depth of the metallic effect.

The substrate still matters

Smooth preparation produces a different result than a textured wall or intentionally worked surface. Prepare the substrate for the finish you actually want to see.

Evaluate it in the project light

Directional daylight, grazing light, decorative fixtures, and surrounding materials can substantially change the way the same metallic color reads.

Choose the base by application

Choose the right Metallic base

The color and metallic effect sit on top of the base formulation. Choose the base for the surface and performance requirement first, then choose the color.

Interior Walls, ceilings and architectural surfaces

Our classic interior Metallic base is a durable, washable low-VOC acrylic with a relatively thin film. It is well suited to broad interior surfaces where the metallic effect itself is the visual priority.

Interior architectural project using The Paint Laboratory paint

Exterior Exterior architectural applications

Exterior Metallic adds moisture and weather resistance for outdoor work while maintaining the same pearlescent character. It is intended for properly prepared exterior architectural surfaces.

Exterior sun deck project using The Paint Laboratory paint

Super Trim, millwork, cabinetry and casework

Super Metallic uses our harder acrylic-enamel base where a thicker, more durable shell is preferred for doors, trim, casework, cabinetry, and other higher-contact architectural elements.

Kitchen casework finished with The Paint Laboratory paint

Direct-To-Metal Prepared metal substrates

Direct-To-Metal Metallic is the application-specific option for prepared metal. Surface condition and exposure determine the correct preparation and whether a dedicated DTM primer is appropriate.

Powder room with walls finished in warm bronze Metallic Paint

Project applications

Designed for full architectural surfaces

Metallic is used on residential and commercial projects including walls, ceilings, entries, storefronts, restaurants, cabinetry, doors, trim and prepared metal. The four base options make it practical to carry a metallic finish through different parts of the same project.

Broad surfaces: walls, ceilings, entries and feature planes

Casework: cabinetry, doors, trim and millwork in the Super base

Exterior: weather-exposed architectural applications in the Exterior base

Metal: prepared architectural metal in the Direct-To-Metal system

Color

24 Metallic colors, plus custom colors

The Metals Collection contains 24 colors developed specifically to show the metallic effect. Metallic can also be produced in colors from our broader collection, as well as custom colors developed for a project.

Coverage note: Aluminum, Silver, Quartz, Champagne, Titanium, Rose Gold and Fire Opal should be estimated at three or more Metallic finish coats, or applied over a coordinating tinted undercoat. These colors are marked below.

Custom color

Need the metallic finish to coordinate with a fabric, stone, existing coating, manufacturer color, or another project material? We can develop custom Metallic colors and retain the approved physical standard for later production.

Custom Color Matching

Screen color is only a starting point

Metallic is especially difficult to judge on a monitor because the reflective effect changes with angle and light. Review a physical finish sample before committing to project quantities.

Explore Our Colors

Application

Application and estimating

For labor and material estimates, assume at least two finish coats and account for the substrate, primer or undercoat, application method and selected color. Mock up the system when appearance or production speed matters.

Surface preparation

Repair and prime as required for the substrate. A smoother, more consistent surface will generally produce a cleaner metallic field; existing texture will remain part of the final appearance.

Roll, brush or spray

Roll, brush, or spray according to the desired appearance and project conditions. Keep technique and direction consistent across adjoining areas when a uniform result is required.

Coat count

Two or more coats are recommended. Lighter colors, difficult substrates, or applications requiring very even opacity can need additional build.

Coverage and dry-down

Judge color, opacity, and metallic movement after each coat has dried. Wet paint and incomplete coat build can look substantially different from the final surface.

Mock-ups and production testing

When adhesion, texture, spray setup, or a decorative application is important, use a Test Pot or representative mock-up before moving into the full project.

Painted, not printed

Sample before project quantities

For specification, client approval and crew mock-ups, use a physical sample. Metallic samples show the actual pearlescent material and are currently offered in the Metals Collection.

Chip3 × 3 inches for initial color comparison

Brushout8 × 11 inches for a larger view of color and movement

Test Pot8 fluid ounces for application and substrate testing

Shop Samples Color Consultation

Project support

Trade support for specifications and installation

We work directly with designers, architects, painters, builders and project teams on larger Metallic specifications. Send us the surfaces, quantities, color direction, application method and required-on-site date; we can help confirm bases, samples, primer or undercoat strategy, coverage and production requirements before the order is placed.

Trade Program Email a Project Question Call (206) 557-4737

For trade specifications

Technical and safety data remain available in the native product information area above. We can also assist with custom colors, retained project standards, mock-ups, coverage estimates, multi-base finish schedules and future reorders. Interior, Exterior, Super and Direct-To-Metal are separate coating formulations, so specify the base with the color on project documents.

FAQ Shipping Custom Color