Specialty Finishes
Beyond standard colors: terra cotta, metallic, and effects finishes that make your project stand out.
Material Replication Coatings
Coating systems that replicate the look of natural materials — terra cotta, weathered steel, and concrete — on aluminum substrates with full AAMA 2605 performance and up to 20-year warranties.
Specialty Finish Options
Unique coatings for projects that demand something beyond standard colors.
Terra Cotta Coatings
Replicate the warm, earthy aesthetic of traditional clay terra cotta on aluminum panels and extrusions. Available in glazed (powder) and textured (liquid) finishes.
Features
- Glazed and textured options
- Lighter than clay terra cotta
- Custom earth tone colors
- AAMA 2604/2605 compliant
Common Applications
Weathered Steel & Corten
Replicate the oxidized patina of Corten steel on aluminum — without the staining, runoff, or corrosion concerns.
Features
- AAMA 2605 compliant
- Up to 20-year warranty
- Multiple patina colorways
Common Applications
GFRC & Concrete-Look
Capture the raw aesthetic of exposed concrete and GFRC panels on lightweight aluminum substrates.
Features
- AAMA 2605 compliant
- Up to 20-year warranty
- Custom texture matching
Common Applications
Metallic Finishes
Aluminum flake pigments create dynamic, light-reflective surfaces that change appearance with viewing angle and lighting conditions.
Features
- Multiple flake sizes available
- Custom color matching
- Available in AAMA 2605 systems
- 20-year warranties available
Common Applications
Effects Coatings
Special effect coatings that exhibit different colors or characteristics when viewed from different angles. We work with systems like Sherwin Williams Nova and Kameleon as well as PPG MXL and Vari-cool liquid and powder coatings.
Features
- Color-shift pigments
- Interference effects
- Available from major coating manufacturers
- Unique project differentiation
Common Applications
Matte & Ultra-Matte
Low-gloss finishes that minimize reflections and create sophisticated, contemporary aesthetics.
Features
- Gloss levels from 5-30
- Soft, modern appearance
- Reduces glare
- Available in all coating systems
Common Applications
Textured Coatings
Textured finishes hide minor substrate imperfections and create unique visual interest with tactile surfaces.
Features
- Fine to coarse textures
- Wrinkle and hammertone options
- Enhanced durability
- Hides minor substrate defects
Common Applications
Understanding Metallic Behavior
Important considerations when specifying metallic and mica finishes.
"Flop" or 2-Tone Travel
Metallic and mica coatings contain reflective aluminum flakes or pearlescent pigments that create a glitter effect by reflecting light in different directions. This results in a phenomenon called "2-tone travel" or "flop" — the color appears different when viewed at various angles.
- A round tube will appear brighter (more silver) than a flat panel in the same color
- Angled panels or beveled corners can appear as different colors from the same batch
- This is inherent to metallic finishes, not a defect
Best Practices for Metallics
- Limit paint to a single batch for the entire project when possible
- Paint all adjacent materials in a single release when possible
- Compare production parts to previous runs in natural outdoor light
- Final color approval should be made with applicator-prepared production line samples, not lab panels
Specialty Finish Process
How we develop and apply custom specialty finishes for your project.
Consultation
Discuss your vision and project requirements with our technical team to determine the best specialty finish approach.
Sample Development
We create custom samples for your review and approval before production begins.
Color Matching
Our lab develops precise color formulations to achieve your desired effect consistently.
Production
Specialty finishes are applied using our standard quality processes with additional attention to unique requirements.
Quality Guaranteed
Specialty finishes receive the same rigorous quality control as our standard coatings. We provide approval samples before production and maintain consistency across your entire order. Many specialty finishes qualify for AAMA 2605 specifications and 20-year warranties.
Have a specialty finish in mind?
Let's discuss your unique coating requirements.