Now picture a car that is so dark it appears to be a shadow driving along the road absorbing almost all light that falls upon it. It is not science fiction, but the reality of so-called ultra-black paints such as Musou Black, a radical coating that is causing a sensation and making us question our ideas of color. In 2020, a Mitsubishi Lancer painted in Musou Black became internet famous, the finish was so dark that it appeared to remove the shape of the car, just leaving a silhouette with headlights and wheels. The article is a dive into the sphere of ultra-black paints, their creation, use cases, and the reason why they are taking the automobile enthusiasts and artists by storm. We will see what is so special about Musou Black, how it compares to other black paints, such as Vantablack, whether it is practical, how much it costs, and what its future in the automotive industry is.
What Is Musou Black?
Musou Black is water based acrylic paint produced by a Japanese company KoPro which deals with production of innovative coatings. It is also one of the darkest paints that can be bought with a light absorption rate of 99.4 percent. Musou Black paint unlike regular car paints, reflects very little visible light, instead of providing the illusion of depth or shine, trapping the light and causing objects to appear dull and almost two-dimensional. When used on a car, it hides the small details, such as body lines, vents, grilles, and makes a dramatic, alien-like appearance.
A YouTube video, by the channel DipYourCar which specializes in testing removable car coatings, popularized the paint. The video saw a Mitsubishi Lancer getting five coats of Musou Black and turning it into a moving black hole. Application was unexpectedly easy: the paint was poured into a spray gun and sprayed on like any other automotive paint. But the outcome was not so common. It was made so dark that the only parts which were not painted such as windows and lights were visible and the car resembled a black hole with car-like characteristics.
The Ultra-Black Paints Science
In order to see why Musou Black is so dark, we should consider the interaction of light with surfaces. The regular paints reflect some light and that is what makes them have color and sheen. Instead, ultra-black paints incorporate sophisticated technology trapping light. The matte microstructure of Musou Black absorbs the light by scattering it in its pigment, without reflecting it. That is like the canopy of a forest that absorbs the sunlight and much of it does not go to the ground.
Nanotechnology gives the properties to the darkest paints such as Musou Black and Vantablack. Vantablack, created by Surrey NanoSystems in 2014, is based on vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to absorb 99.965 percent of light. The nanotubes are thousands of times finer than a human hair and the array of them forms a surface which confines light in a maze of tubes. Musou Black, being less sophisticated, does the same thing with its own special pigment formulation that enables it to be more universally available and affordable.
Musou black Vs. Vantablack: Comparison
In 2019, Vantablack hit the news again when BMW presented an X6 painted with its VBx2 variation, which is a somewhat less extreme form of the original. The car was nearly flat, the curves and edges disappeared in the light-absorbing capacity of the paint. Vantablack is not publicly accessible; though Surrey NanoSystems limits its applicability to particular industries, such as the aerospace industry and art, and it needs a complicated application procedure that entails chemical interactions. It is also excessive dangerous, its price might match the one of a luxury automobile.
Musou Black, in its turn, is a real alternative. One bottle (100ml) is approximately 2,500 Yen (about 25 USD), which is not very expensive and can be used by hobbyists and small-scale projects. It can be sprayed using an airbrush (or even a paintbrush) but the finest results are obtained by spraying. Although it absorbs a little less light (99.4% compared to 99.965%), the human eye can hardly tell the difference. Musou Black is a game-changer when it comes to car enthusiasts who desire the similar effect as Vantablack but with more freedom.
The Musou Black Car Painting Difficulties
Although Musou Black appears fantastic, it is not developed to be used in cars, and this is associated with serious disadvantages. The paint is in the form of a powdery and delicate coating which can peel or gloss over under light pressure. The finish would not take long on a car that is subjected to wind, rain and road debris. As major takeaways of the DipYourCar video, the host stressed that Musou Black is an artistic experiment rather than a usable coating. It would defeat the purpose to apply a clear coat to protect it because this would diminish its ability to absorb light.
The other issue is visibility. A vehicle with Musou Black paint will be almost invisible during low light, which is dangerous. Although the drivers may not be able to see such vehicles clearly at night, modern safety systems such as LiDAR can be used to detect them. That renders Musou Black inapplicable to road-going cars and confines it to show queens or short-term projects.
The attractiveness of the ultra-black paints
In spite of this, there is something about ultra-black paints. They play with our minds and make the three-dimensional objects look flat and plain. The effect of this is hypnotizing, as can be seen in the videos where apples or models are covered in Musou Black, becoming deprived of any contours. The concept of a Shadow-like appearing car is one that car enthusiasts cannot resist even though it is impractical.
It is not the only sphere super-black paints are fascinating. They are applied by artists in making surreal installations and by scientists in telescopes and satellites in order to diminish glare. Vantablack caused a controversy in the art world when artist Anish Kapoor received exclusive rights to use the material,; others in the art world created alternatives, such as Black 3.0 and Black 4.0 by artist Stuart Semple. Absorbing up to 99 percent of the light, these paints are open to anyone unless Kapoor, in a move that represents the community wish to democratize the ultra-black technology.
Other Ultra-Black Paints available in the Market
Musou Black is not the only substitute to Vantablack. NanoLab has created Singularity Black which is aimed at use in space but has the same light-absorbing qualities. It is not consumed widely, however, and it is more expensive than Musou Black. Culture Hustle has developed Black 3.0 and Black 4.0 that are very popular among artists due to a matte finish and the convenience of use. They are more versatile and cheaper than Vantablack, although they cannot compete with its absorption rate, which is what makes them suitable to creative uses.
The automotive scene has several well known deep and rich blacks such as PPG Triple Black, Sikkens Deep Black and the Daimler/Chrysler PX8. The paints are applied on expensive vehicles such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis, and they depend on glossy or metallic paints to give the appearance of being blacker than black. They are however more reflective than the ultra-black paints and thus not as intense but more every day durable.
The price of being Ultra-Black
When painting a car using Musou Black, the cost of materials is not very high. A model or small components can be covered with a small bottle, and a full car would take several bottles, but that is still much cheaper than Vantablack. But the work and preparation increases the cost. It needs a clean and controlled environment and several coats which consume hours to apply properly. When you are dealing with a professional, you will pay him or her expertise and time.
By way of comparison, a quality conventional paint job runs between $1,000 and 10,000 depending on the car and the finish. Vantablack were it to exist would probably run in the tens of thousands because of its specialized use. Musou Black is in between, yet it is so fragile that you may become forced to apply it multiple times on show cars, which increases expenses in the long term.
The next Generation of Ultra-Black Paints on automobiles
Musou Black and Vantablack are not suitable to be used on everyday cars, but they are expanding the possibilities of car design. Automakers are also paying attention; they are applying these paints to examine car proportions and silhouettes without the reflection interference. The Vantablack X6 was a unique model created by BMW, yet it proved the potential of ultra-black paints to reveal the shape of the car in a different light. Musou Black has the visual appeal that could be mixed with the longevity of a conventional automotive paint to produce road-legal paints that would appeal to enthusiasts.
Scientists are also trying to find methods of making ultra-black paints more durable. Developments in nanotechnology may result in weather and wear resistant coatings that still absorb light. When they prove to be commercially viable we could have production cars with finishes that can give the viral appearance of the Mitsubishi Lancer a run.
The Importance of Ultra-Black Paints
Such ultra-black paints as Musou Black are not just a gimmick but rather an expression of human creativity. They mix art, science, and engineering in order to produce something that does not meet our expectations. To those who love cars, they provide an opportunity to be unique, making a moving art out of a vehicle. To the scientists, they enhance instruments such as telescopes, and they enable us to venture the universe. And to artists, they provide new frontiers of creativity, obliterating the way we perceive things.
The viral Mitsubishi Lancer that is Musou Black in color is an epitome of this convergence. It is unrealistic, fragile, and probably not safe on the road, but it is admittedly alluring. It gives us the reminder that automobiles are not just a means of transportation, but a means of personality and invention. They will even be inspiring as ultra-black paints develop, on a show car, a canvas, or a satellite circling the earth.
Advice to Musou Black Enthusiasts
There is no better inspiration to experiment with Musou Black than to begin with small amounts. Test the effect on a model car or on one panel painted. An airbrush will give the finest finish, and several very thin coats should be applied to give depth. Expect the brittle nature of the paint- treat tested surfaces with care, and stay away form clear coats. Being determined to paint a complete car, you had better discuss the project with a professional who specializes in specialty coating, and you had better use it on a show car but not on a daily driver.
If you desire the deep black appearance but you are too lazy to do it, then buy quality car paints such as Sikkens or PPG. These provide a glossy finish which is wear resistant and ready to hit the road and is also easier to clean. However you do it, going as black as possible is a trip through invention and industry.
Conclusion
A color such as the darkest black paint, such as Musou Black, is not just a color, it is a phenomenon. Whether it was the viral redesign of the Mitsubishi Lancer or the Vantablack BMW X6, extreme black paints are pushing the envelope of what can be done in car design. Although they are associated with some difficulties, their visual appeal is unrivaled, and that is why they are preferred by fans, painters, and inventors. With enough technological growth, it is possible that such paints will be more feasible and the beauty of a rolling black hole can be experienced on all roads. Musou Black is a striking declaration till that date, and it serves as a testament to the fact that sometimes, no light is the brightest light of all.
