What is the difference between the two? Is there a small metal flake in metallic paint? Is there metal in the paint for a different painting process? What's the deal?

 

the most obvious difference is that the metallic has just as you said small metal flakes in the paint..it give the paint a "shimmer" in the bright light. As for the technical differences (how the paint goes down and such) I'll leave that to someone who knows because i sure don't

 

All I know is Metallic is much "purtier".

 

Not sure but I think non metallic is just gloss over primer and the same is for metallic although it adds a metallic flake for the shimmer and sheen... anyone want to comment on Mystichrome

 

You need an extra coat of paint for metallic, and a lot more Lacqer. Also, it is more of a PITA when you need to touch up / match it!