real red, not rust, is hard to produce in many mediums.

it doesn't occur naturally in nature in many places and often when you
find it in an organic form it easily oxidizes to another color when it's
taken from it's source.

historically, red glazes in ceramics are produced with lead or copper.
The lead versions are low fire glazes and not used because of the
potential for contamination now.  Copper reds are harder to get
consistent results with because they require a low oxygen atmosphere at
specific temperatures during firing.

As for paint, acrylic paints used by painters have names like cadmium
and napthanol for reds indicating the pigment.  These aren't cheap.

I suspect car paint is similar.  I don't believe 'safer' pigments are
inexpensive.

JordanVw@AOL.COM wrote:
> In a message dated 1/28/07 11:17:28 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> helmut.blong@GMAIL.COM writes:

>>> red is always the most expensive color...  something about the pigments
>> in
>>> the paint, cost more to make than any other color.

>> That is curious because historically, red (iron oxide) was the least
>> expensive a fact that explains the ubiquity of red barns across this
>> country.

>> I suppose that the reds used now are nothing at all to do with iron oxide
>> thus their expense.

> its true..  call your local auto paint store..

> chris

--
Sincerely,

-- Wil