What Car Manufacturers Aren’t Telling You

In this economy, perhaps you are looking to save a little more money any way you can. Well the car manufacturers are no different. They are looking for any way possible to squeeze a little more out of every vehicle they make. Right now no one is talking about this, however this could have major ramifications down the road in as little as 5 years.

New shiny navy blue car standing on platform in modern car showroom interior with windows



What elements comprise your vehicle’s paint?

So before we get into how car manufacturers are changing, we need to understand the parts that compose your vehicle’s paint. Just about every modern vehicle has a four layer structure when it comes to paint.

1. Substrate: This is what the vehicle is actually made of. This is primarily either steel or aluminum. Steel is the most widely used material in car manufacturing due to its strength, durability, and affordability. Steel is used to make the chassis, body panels, and various other structural components of a car. Aluminum is increasingly being used in car manufacturing due to its lightweight properties. Aluminum is used to make various components, such as the hood, doors, and engine parts, as it can help to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle and improve fuel efficiency.
2. Primer: This is the first layer that is applied to the metal body of the vehicle. It helps to provide a smooth, uniform surface for the paint to adhere to and also helps to protect the metal from corrosion.
3. Base coat: This is the layer that provides the color and visual appeal to the paint job. The base coat is usually made up of a mixture of pigments, resins, and solvents that are carefully blended to create the desired color and finish.
4. Clear coat: This is the layer that is applied over the basecoat to provide additional protection and gloss. Clear coat is made up of a transparent resin that is hard and durable, helping to protect the paint from environmental factors such as UV radiation, water, and chemical exposure.

Clear coat is what we want to focus on. As previously highlighted this is actually the top layer of your vehicle, not whatever color your vehicle is.

What is automotive clear coat?

Clear coats typically consist of a clear resin, such as urethane or acrylic, that is mixed with hardeners, solvents, and pigments to create a durable, long-lasting finish. When applied, the clear coat is sprayed in a thin, even layer over the base coat of paint, and then cured through a process of heat and air exposure. This creates a hard, protective layer that shields the paint from the environment and helps to maintain its appearance over time.

When was clear coat first used on cars?

The use of clear coats in the automotive industry became widespread in the 1980s. Prior to that, vehicles were typically finished with a single layer of paint that provided both color and protection. However, with advancements in paint technology and a growing demand for more durable, long-lasting finishes, the clear coat was developed as a way to add an extra layer of protection to the paint job.The first clear coat was introduced by PPG Industries in the late 1970s and quickly gained popularity among automakers and consumers alike. Today, clear coats are a standard feature in the automotive industry, providing vehicles with a high-gloss, durable finish that helps to protect the paint job for years to come.

What does clear coat do on cars?

Clear coat serves many functions on a vehicle, but its primary one is protection of the base coat or color coat. The clear coat helps to block harmful UV rays from the sun, which can cause the paint to fade and lose its color over time.

How thick is car clear coat typically?

The thickness of automotive clear coat can vary depending on the specific product and the application method. On average, clear coats are applied in a range of 1.5 to 2.0 mils (thousandths of an inch) thick. This is equivalent to about 37 to 50 microns. It is important to note that the thickness of the clear coat is a critical factor in determining its durability and long-term performance. A clear coat that is too thick can crack or peel, while one that is too thin may not provide adequate protection or produce the desired level of gloss. Automotive paint professionals carefully monitor the thickness of the clear coat during application to ensure that it is consistent and within the desired range.

How thick are new vehicle’s clear coat?

As previously mentioned typically a car clear coat will be about 50 microns thick. For reference, a typical human hair is about 70 microns thick. However, newer vehicles typically most cars made after 2020, have around 50 microns of thickness total not just of clear coat. Remember your vehicle’s paint is made up of several layers. The thickness of previous clear coat alone is now the thickness of the primer, base coat, and clear coat. Some of the vehicles we have personally measured only have about 30 microns comprising of all of the layers.