(57) @ A coating system is described imparting durable and aesthetically pleasing coatings to metal substrates such as automotive finishes. Pigment containing base coats are overcoated with transparent topcoats containing a low pigment to binder ratio of a pigment the same as, complementary to, or divergent from the pigment in the base coat. The resultant coated article has improved chromaticity, clarity and depth of color in addition to significant improvement in properties and aesthetic appearance over conventional coatings in this area. Optionally, a low pigment to binder ratio of the same pigments can be included in the primer layer to further improve durability of color and aesthetic appearance.