[Marcy]

A Lexus press release.

The All-New Lexus RC Set to Launch 'In the Red'

Upcoming RC Coupe Available in Striking New Red Paint Color
The Head-Turning Hue is Achieved Using a Combination of a Silver and Red Base

RC Coupe Set to Launch in 2014

TORRANCE, Calif. – Dec. 23, 2013 – Not even Rudolph’s nose can compare to the striking red paint on the all-new RC Coupe. A more dynamic red exterior paint color is made brighter and with more contrast thanks to an entirely new painting process, using a two-color base of both silver and red. The shiny and bright RC coupe is set to launch in 2014.

The luminous red paint is achieved through a meticulous paint process using four base coats of paint which are then baked twice. Layers of colored and clear coating are used to control some of the color’s reflections and establish a balance between the brightness and depth – two elements that traditionally work against each other.

For the red exterior, the factory starts with a base coat of silver and then applies a clear coat.

Then, the clear coat is covered by a translucent red coat, which is then topped with another clear coat.

The four coats of paint are baked twice to set the color.

As a result, light hitting the paint reflects off the red layer and also off the silver layer below, which adds depth and a metallic highlight to the red coloration. Prior to this new, two-color base process, the factory used base coats with the same color tone (red and red).

The all-new RC Coupe was unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show and will be on display at the Lexus space at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

 

[rwdftw]

very interesting

clear coat under a base coat.

thats a first

 

[soarer]

Something to keep in mind, im sure a lot of people will ask future owners what makes the paint look like that:

Then, the clear coat is covered by a translucent red coat, which is then topped with another clear coat.

 

[rwdftw]

I just noticed the bulge on the hood is bigger on the RC compared to the IS

 

[soarer]

I guess if someone damages their red RC, trying to paint the damaged area will take a lot of work, not something that will go by easy

 

[Coupe2015]

Reds

Is the red in this picture the same bright red in the other pictures?
This is my favorite picture, it makes the car look more elegant / classy.

 

[Odetta]

Is the red in this picture the same bright red in the other pictures?
This is my favorite picture, it makes the car look more elegant / classy.

This tone of red is more likely to be the official one. The one in the first post seems to be touched up. I don't mind the darker tone since it is a more elegant red in my point of view.

 

[Marcy]

I learned more information about the two "special" paint colors - Infrared, and Ultrasonic Blue Mica (USB). If you look at the Lexus RC brochure, you'll see that the blue is listed as Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0.

The 2.0 denotes the fact that this USB is an entirely new color (color code 8X1), separate from the first Ultrasonic Blue that debuted on the original IS-F (color code 8U1).

Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 is a four-stage paint: silver paint, followed by clear coat, followed by translucent blue, followed by clear coat again.

This complicated paint process is one of the reasons Lexus charges $600 for these two paint colors.

I am someone who keeps their car for a very long time, and I plan to continue this trend with the RC. I wonder if these four-stage paints will hold up better over time due to the multiple layers of paint.

 

[soarer]

Thanks for including those details on Ultrasonic Blue Mica. I hope there is some benefit to how long this finish will hold up for but I think as long as you do things yourself to protect it or get a detailer, you should be fine. Anyone buying a new car should get an opti-coat treatment done to protect the paint, it's a long-term approach, one well worth it.

 

[Vid]

"A more dynamic red exterior paint color is made brighter and with more contrast thanks to an entirely new painting process, using a two-color base of both silver and red."

Entirely new? Not quite, Lexus. Actually the translucent color coat over a highly metallic silver (or gold, etc) base process goes way back to the "candy apple" colors of the 50's, making this process nearly 70 years old!

The clear coat that goes over the metallic base and under the translucent color coat allows for additional wet sanding without taking the metallic base layer off to assure a "perfect" smooth surface for the glossy top coat which would otherwise magnify any imperfections. The final coats of clear allow for more wet sanding and the final compound/polish for a finish that looks 3 feet deep. FWIW.

I do love the color on everything from cars to guitars!