Objects are susceptible to high temperature when being exposed in sunlight, which will affect their working condition. As a widely used heat insulation technology, depositing reflective insulation coatings features in easy construction, low cost and excellent insulation properties. Properties of pigments in reflective thermal insulation coating are key factors determining insulation properties of reflective thermal insulation coating. Pigments already being applied should be modified due to single color and poor reflection properties. Common pigment modification technologies were classified into surface cladding modification and ion doping modification. Liquid deposition, mechanical ball-milling, monomer polymerization in surface cladding modification were introduced, recent research progress at home and abroad was analyzed. What’s more, applicable circumstances were also indicated. Merits and demerits of solid reaction method and sol-gel method in ion doping modification were analyzed and compared by re-ferring to features of both methods. Major applicable circumstances and recent research progress at home and abroad of the two methods were introduced emphatically. Near-infrared reflectance mechanism of ion-doped, modified and enhanced pigments was expounded from crystal structure of pigments. Finally, development trend of modification technology for pigments applied to reflective insulation coating was expected by referring to social and economic development background.