Spectraflame

Spectraflame is the name used by Mattel for the metallic finishes sported by their original "Hot Wheels" cars in 1968 through 1972 and also on Super Treasure Hunts. The finish was not the standard paint used on normal cars, but rather a transparent lacquer applied over a polished zinc plated casting.  This resulted in a surprisingly realistic metallic effect, similar to the appearance of real cars.

In 1973, due to the study of lead in paint and its effects on humans, the original Spectraflame (candy-apple paint) was banned from manufacturing. The original Spectraflame was retired and replaced by a metallic enamel.  More recently, Mattel began using a new paint process for their special edition cars.  While it is not the same candy-apple paint, they continue to use the trademark Spectraflame to identify it.  The new manufacturing process involves a shiny vacuum-metalized finish covered in a semi-transparent, water-based lacquer.  This may change in the future due to the expense of vacuum metalizing the cars.  An alternate method involves coating the cars with a metal liquid and then applying a pigmented translucent paint.