Abstract: A method for forming a japan-like paint film on the surface of a steel plate forming part of an automotive vehicle outer panel. The method is comprised of coating a first coating layer of an electrodeposition paint and an intermediate coat paint, on the surface of the steel plate. Subsequently, a second coating layer is formed by coating a base coat paint and a colorless clear paint in a wet on wet manner on the first coating layer and baked to be hardened. The base coat paint contains aluminum powder in an amount of not more than 13% by weight relative to the solid content of the base coat paint. Lastly, a third coating layer is formed by coating a colored clear paint and a colorless clear paint on the second coating layer in a wet on wet manner and baked to be hardened. The colored clear paint contains particulate pigment whose content is within a range form 0.5 to 5% by weight relative to the solid content of the colored clear paint and whose particle size is within a range from 0.01 to 0.3 .mu.m.