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Acura’s Precision Paint Process

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Close-up of a car door and lower body panel in deep matte gunmetal gray with a velvety non-reflective finish, echoing Acura's Gotham Gray Matte, illustrating the depth of premium multi-layer automotive paint.

How the NSX Changed Color Forever

July 15, 2026

Acura’s Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) pioneered multi-stage paint processes for the NSX. Recipes like double clear coats, tinted-clear layers, and meticulous curing later defined PMC Editions and today’s Acura colors.

From halo-car paint secrets to today’s TLX, MDX, and RDX finishes

If you drive an Acura—MDX, TLX, or RDX—you’ve already benefited from supercar DNA. The NSX, Acura’s halo car built in Ohio, wasn’t just about speed; it redefined paint. At the PMC, engineers perfected layering and clear-coat techniques, making today’s Acura paints cleaner, deeper, and more luminous—even in standard black or silver. 

What is a PMC edition—And why does the paint look different?

PMC stands for Performance Manufacturing Center, the facility that built the NSX and, later, limited-run “PMC Editions” of mainstream Acuras. These specials borrow NSX-level paint workflows: multi-stage color application, careful curing, and—in some cases—double clear coats or a tinted-clear layer for extra depth and hue control.

Think of PMC as Acura’s paint skunkworks: although the NSX is gone, the American-developed layering and clear-coat methods it proved created a long tail—informing how OEM colors (including Valencia Red Pearl) are produced across the lineup.
These processes didn’t stay locked in a lab—they turned into Acura color moments that became legends.

A few Acura color moments that became legends

These colors aren’t just paints — they’re stories told in light. Each one “jumps” in sunlight because of the layers underneath: the base that builds tone, the pearl mid-coat that adds depth, and the clear coat that locks in that glass-smooth glow.

Factory paint stacks—at a glance

Three simplified stacks comparing OEM tri‑coat, NSX double‑clear, and Andaro tinted‑clear.

Factory paint, simplified. NSX‑grade methods added a second clear or a tinted‑clear step to the typical tri‑coat pearl stack. Owner takeaway: match by paint code (not name). 

That’s the quiet magic behind Acura’s best colors: a supercar paint playbook refined for everyday models. It’s why certain Acuras catch your eye in traffic.  Whether your car wears a classic shade or a halo color, the match lives in the paint code. And it’s an American story: much of that know‑how was honed at the PMC in Marysville, Ohio, and its influence carries through OEM finishes like Valencia Red Pearl well beyond the NSX.

FAQ: Acura’s precision paint process

It’s the mid-coat (pearlescent layer) and the way light moves through multiple clear coats. You see more chroma and depth because the stack was engineered for it.

It’s tricky — don’t polish or wax matte finishes. Use matte-safe wash products, and remove bird droppings or sap quickly. If you prefer low-maintenance, choose a gloss finish.

Check the driver-side door-jamb label. Examples: B-510P (Long Beach Blue Pearl), R-556P (Valencia Red Pearl).

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