Within this work, methods for the determination of mechanical and appearance-relevant parameters of freestanding paint films and coil coated steel sheets were developed, implemented and applied. For single layer paint films the effects of formulation (variation of binder (acrylate vs. polyester) and curing agent (melamine vs. isocyanate)) and pigmentation on the mechanical properties at ambient temperature and 100 °C, were investigated. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of double layer films were characterized. Finally the deformation induced appearance of coil coating steel specimens was determined. Regarding the effect of formulation, acrylate based films exhibited higher stiffness and elastic strain energy values compared to polyester based films. The various curing agents and the pigmentation had a significant effect on the mechanical properties. Using a novel in situ appearance measuring technique it was shown, that the deformation induced loss of appearance became significant at strain values greater than 1.5 %. While for hard clear coats more significant changes were obtained, fluorpolymer modified clear coats yielded the lowest appearance loss. Deformation at temperatures above glass transition of the individual coating layers (100 °C) did not result in improved deformation induced appearance behaviour.