What is the difference between Pearl and Metallic paint?

[olddriver]

What is the difference in appearance and care?  The rain seems to wash the dirt off of the metallic paint on my Corolla and doesn’t need washing very often.  However, after about 21 years the lacquer has stated to peal off which I believe is a known problem with the red metallic paint on my Corolla.

[flash22]

It's how the paint is made up Pearlescent and Metallic are the way the light is reflected by the use of additives

cars of your age are the older paint technology solid paint colours are usually single stage - Red is a natral pigment over time these will oxidize and turn a dusty pink, metallics are 2 stage with a base coat with a clear coat

clear coat damage is due to abrasives and UV damage, in your case it's down to age

[olddriver]

51 minutes ago, flash22 said:

clear coat damage is due to abrasives and UV damage, in your case it's down to age

Thanks. Yeah, the problems with the clear coat suddenly started around 4 years ago (the car was 20 yo)  when we had a very hot dry May, June and July, so probably due to an excessive amount of UV and the damage has worsened ever since but only on the horizontal surfaces, roof, bonnet etc.  Very strange, no indication of a problem beforehand!