Custom Paint Trends in 2025: What’s Hot Right Now
by Kolor Koalition
In the world of custom finishes and high‑end coatings, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year. From eco‑forward formulations to dramatic colour shifts and new textures, the trends for custom paint are evolving fast. If you’re looking to give your vehicle, skate deck, guitar, or custom project a modern, head‑turning finish, now is the time to get ahead of the curve.
At Kolor Koalition, we’re passionate about pushing boundaries in custom paint, so we’ve compiled the most relevant trends you need to know for 2025—and how you can harness them for your next project.
1. Sustainability Meets Style: Eco‑Friendly Coatings
One of the biggest shifts in 2025 is the demand for sustainable coatings. According to recent industry reports, the automotive coatings market is expected to grow notably in 2025 with major trends including water‑borne coatings and bio‑based resins. (thebusinessresearchcompany.com)
For custom paint creators, this means: lean into low‑VOC systems, recycled pigment content, and finishes that satisfy both visual and environmental standards.
Brands like BASF SE have highlighted how their coatings division is forecasting paint systems with more renewable content and lower emissions for 2025. (manufacturing-expo.com)
What this means for you:
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Choose basecoats and clear‑coats labelled as water‑borne or low‑VOC.
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Emphasize that your finish isn’t just “look good” but “feel good” from an eco‑perspective.
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Use sustainability as a selling point in your offering—clients want more than just colour, they want conscientious colour.
2. Bold Colours + Depth: The Rise of Saturation and Complexity
Gone are the days of simple solid finishes. The 2025 palette is leaning toward richer depths, subtle metallics, and layered effects. For example: new reds infused with violet nuances, dark neutrals with extra depth, pastel beiges and soft greens. (manufacturing-expo.com)
These trends matter in custom paint because they allow you to craft standout finishes that feel premium and bespoke.
Key motifs you can adopt
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Rich, deep hues: burgundy, aubergine, midnight blue with metallic or pearl over‑tones.
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Earthy neutrals: muted olive, sand beige, taupe with a modern twist.
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Soft pastels re‑imagined: colours like mint green, powder blue, blush tones—but layered and finished in high‑quality coatings for a refined result.
At Kolor Koalition, embracing colour depth means exploring custom layering techniques such as pearls, flakes, candy layers, and tinted clears—all the tools that elevate a paint job from good to gallery‑worthy.
3. Finish Matters: Matte, Satin, and Metallic Textures
Texture is no longer an after‑thought—it’s front and centre. In 2025, some of the most compelling custom paint finishes come from the interplay of surface texture + colour.
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Matte finishes: These continue to be popular for their stealth, modern aesthetic. In the truck and commercial arena, they’re described as “understated, modern & bold”. (312truck.com)
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Satin finishes: A compromise between full gloss and flat matte—elegant yet more forgiving in maintenance.
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Metallic & chrome‑flake finishes: When you want sparkle, dimension, and premium feel: “subtle metallic finishes will stand out” in 2025. (manufacturing-expo.com)
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Colour‑shifting / chameleon finishes: Switching hues depending on light/angle—giving a dynamic effect that commands attention. (accio.com)
How to apply this to custom projects
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Ask yourself: What mood do you want? Stealthy (matte), luxe (metallic), unique (chameleon).
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Match your substrate and usage: Some textures require higher maintenance. For example, matte finishes may show stains more easily.
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Combine finishes: e.g., matte body with gloss‑accent panels, or metallic base with satin clearcoat for depth.
4. Personalisation & Custom Graphics: Tailored Finishes for Unique Projects
2025’s custom painting trend is personalisation. Clients want finishes that reflect their identity—not off‑the‑shelf colours. Smart coatings that adapt, finishes that shift, and graphics that integrate into the paint job are all part of this movement. (accio.com)
On the custom/aftermarket side:
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Custom pigments (pearl, flake, holographic) are more accessible—giving artists more freedom.
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Layered effects (e.g., transparent candy coats over metallics) are in demand.
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Integration of graphics (airbrushing, masked lines, color‑changing effects) adds to the ‘one‑of‑a‑kind’ aesthetic.
At Kolor Koalition, our mission is to deliver those bespoke finishes. We encourage you to think of the paint job as the “canvas” where colour, texture, and graphics converge. Visit our About Us page to learn more about our story and how we’ve made custom colour our signature.
5. Tech & Smart Coatings: What’s Next for 2025
Technology is quietly revolutionising paint. While many of us associate this with the automotive OEM side, custom paint shops are starting to feel the ripple.
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Self‑healing coatings: Paints that can recover from minor scratches with heat/sunlight are being developed. (accio.com)
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Advanced colour‑shifting pigments: Based on nanotechnology and multi‑layer systems—creates finishes that change when the light moves. (accio.com)
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UV‑curable and low‑emission systems: Faster cures, lower environmental impact, more efficient shop workflow. (thebusinessresearchcompany.com)
For custom paint providers and enthusiasts: staying informed on these technologies gives you an edge. Clients will ask for “futuristic” finishes—and you can deliver.
6. Care & Longevity: Making the Trend Work for You
A trend‑worthy finish is only as good as its durability and appearance over time. For clients investing in premium finishes, you must give them the story around care.
Key considerations:
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Maintenance requirements differ: Matte finishes require specific cleaning; metallic/multi‑layer coats may need high‑quality clear coats.
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UV and environmental protection: Especially in sunny or coastal environments (hello Thailand!). Choose clear coats with UV stabilisers to protect finishes from sun/heat.
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Correct prep work: Custom finishes demand top‑tier prep, base coats, and clear coat to avoid issues like fading, peeling, or orange‑peel texture.
At Kolor Koalition, we ensure that any finish we deliver not only looks spectacular on day one—but maintains that look for years to come.
7. Putting It All Together: How to Choose Your 2025 Custom Paint Strategy
Here’s a quick decision‑framework you can follow:
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Define the purpose & audience: Is this a showpiece build, daily driver, business asset (e.g., branded truck)?
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Pick the mood/finish: Stealth (matte/satin dark), luxe (metallic deep hue + flake), bold (colour‑shift + graphics).
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Match technology to budget: Standard high‑quality paint vs. premium effects (pearl, candy, chameleon).
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Sustainability & story: Use eco‑friendly coatings and weave that into your marketing—2025 clients care.
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Plan for maintenance: Agree on after‑care, cleaning, protection, and set expectations early.
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Work with the right team: Precision matters. A high‑end finish demands expertise, quality materials, and perfect environment.
Why Kolor Koalition is Your Go‑To for 2025 Custom Paint
At Kolor Koalition, we live and breathe colour. Whether you're seeking the latest ultra‑matte finish, bold colour shifts, or sustainable premium coats, we bring the craft, tools, and aesthetic expertise to make it real. Visit Our Website to explore our portfolio, services, and how we can help you bring your vision to life.
We believe custom paint isn’t just about colour—it’s about identity, innovation, and impact. With the 2025 trends in full swing, your next build can be at the forefront of what’s fresh, modern, and forward‑thinking.
Trending Themes at a Glance
| Trend | What You Should Know |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | Low‑VOC, recycled pigments, eco credentials now expected. |
| Colour Depth & Richness | Deep, layered hues; pastels revisited; bold neutrals. |
| Texture & Finish | Matte, satin, metallic, chameleon—surface matters. |
| Personalisation | Unique pigments, custom graphics, layered systems. |
| Tech & Smart Coatings | Self‑healing, colour‑shifting, UV‑curable systems. |
| Longevity & Care | Prep, protection, maintenance—done right. |
Final Thoughts
2025 is an exciting year for custom paint. The convergence of sustainability, advanced finishes, personalisation, and tech gives you more tools than ever to create impactful, memorable finishes. Whether you’re repainting a car, customizing a guitar body, or upgrading a surfboard with statement colour—now is the moment to make it count.
Let the team at Kolor Koalition guide you. Explore our work, see what’s possible, and let’s craft your next masterpiece. From concept to completion, we’ve got you covered.
Visit Our Website to get started—then head to our About Us page to learn about our story and why we love colour as much as you do.
Here’s to bold colour, flawless finish, and custom paint that stands out in 2025.
– The Kolor Koalition Team