Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

October, 2004

Automotive Grade Heat Reflecting Black Paint

Q. Is there an automotive grade paint available that will reflect the heat of the sun? Our black truck bodies reach skin temperatures of 165°F in Arizona.

Black color, as described in a paint and coatings dictionary: Ideally, the complete absorption of incident light; the absence of any reflection.

A black vehicle in a high heat environment such as Arizona can be overwhelming, I suggest you consider another color scheme for the trucks, maybe white (highly reflective) with black trim.

Regards,

Jim Burke