A method of making a specular reflective, mirror-like finish on a substrate comprising the steps of applying a one or more layers of a primer coating to the substrate and at least partially curing the primer coating; the following curing of the primer coating; applying an intermediate solution to the previously applied and cured primer coating, the intermediate solution comprising a vacuum metalized pigment in a solvent; further curing the primer coating and the intermediate coating to leave a substantially solvent-free intermediate coating; and applying, a transparent overlay coating to the cured intermediate coating.