Method for producing a semi-transparent motor-vehicle design element

A method for producing a semi-transparent motor vehicle design element (3), comprising the following steps:

• A providing a dimensionally stable, light-permeable substrate (1) which is heat-resistant for a temperature of at least 60° C., the substrate (1) having a front side (1a) and a rear side (1b),
• B introducing the substrate (1) into a vacuum chamber (2) and applying a first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) by means of a PVD process to the substrate (1) according to step a) which is situated in the vacuum chamber (2), wherein the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) has a transmittance ranging between 10% and 90%,
• C applying a light-impermeable cover layer (LD) to the front or rear side (1a, 1b) of the substrate (1), the light-impermeable cover layer (LD) containing at least one light-permeable opening (8) for reproducing at least one graphical symbol (SYM),
• wherein steps B and C are carried out such that light (LSQ) passing through the at least one opening (8) in the light-impermeable cover layer (LD) from the rear side (1b) towards the front side (1a) of the substrate (1) is incident on the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) and at least partially passes outwards through the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) in order to project the at least one graphical symbol (SYM) represented by the at least one opening (8);
• and
• D applying a colouring second layer (L2) which covers the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1), the colouring second layer (L2) being designed such that light incident on the design element (3) from the front side (1a) towards the rear side (1b) of the substrate (1) is manipulated by destructive interference, in that light beams (LS2) which are reflected by the surface of the colouring second layer (L2) are superimposed on light beams (LS1) which are reflected by the surface of the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1),
• wherein the colouring second layer (L2) is substantially free of body colours, wherein the colouring second layer (L2) is designed such that the light reflected by the motor vehicle design element (3) is manipulated in its colour composition by interference of at least one spectral component of the light, wherein in contrast a body colour being a colour which becomes perceptible by at least partial absorption of spectra of visible light, the extent of the absorption of the colour components red, green and blue being unequal, and
• wherein a semi-transparent effect reflective layer (L3) is arranged between the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) and the colouring second layer (L2), viewed in a direction oriented from the rear side towards the front side (1a) of the substrate (1), to partially reflect light beams (LSQR) back to the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1), wherein said effect reflective layer (L3) is arranged at a distance of at least 1 mm from the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1), wherein a light-permeable material (1′) is arranged between the effect reflective layer (L3) and the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) so that light beams passing through the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) from the rear side (1b) towards the front side (1a) of the substrate (1) can be reflected between the first metallic semi-transparent layer (L1) and the effect reflective layer (L3) and can be emitted outwards through the colouring second layer (L2).