The Rising Trend of Thinner Paint on New Cars
In recent years, a noticeable trend has emerged in the automotive industry, with new cars featuring much thinner paint compared to their predecessors. This shift, driven by various factors including environmental regulations and technological advancements, brings both benefits and challenges to car owners. Additionally, manufacturers are incorporating ceramic components in the paint to enhance durability. However, the thinner paint poses difficulties when it comes to correcting scratches in the long run. This is where the importance of ceramic coatings comes into play, as they provide an extra layer of protection to safeguard the delicate paintwork.
Thinner Paint: The Driving Forces
Not too long ago, new cars boasted paint thickness ranging between 100-180 microns. This robust layer served as a protective shield against the elements, ensuring the longevity and aesthetic appeal of the vehicle. However, recent developments in automotive manufacturing have brought about a significant change in this paradigm.
Environmental Regulations: Stricter environmental regulations have prompted manufacturers to explore ways to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in automotive paint. Thinner paint helps achieve this objective by reducing the amount of solvent needed during application and drying processes.
Lightweight Design: With an increasing emphasis on fuel efficiency, automakers strive to reduce the weight of vehicles. Thinner paint contributes to overall weight reduction, as every ounce matters in achieving better fuel economy.
Advancements in Paint Technology: Technological advancements have allowed manufacturers to develop paint formulations that provide adequate protection with thinner application. This includes the integration of ceramic components within the paint, enhancing its durability and resistance to various environmental factors.
In the world of automotive detailing, understanding the intricacies of paint thickness is crucial for delivering top-notch services. Over the years, the automotive industry has seen a notable shift in the thickness of paint applied to cars. At Hanson's Auto Detail, we've witnessed this evolution firsthand, especially when coating brand new cars.
In our recent endeavors, coating brand new cars opened a window into the changing landscape of paint thickness. Take, for example, the 2023 Mazda CX-50—an exceptional vehicle by all standards. The average paint thickness we encountered on this model was a surprising 56 microns. Similarly, the 2023 Toyota 4 Runner, another marvel of modern engineering, showcased an average paint thickness of 65 microns.
Challenges with Thinner Paint
While thinner paint offers benefits, it also presents challenges when it comes to maintaining the appearance and condition of the vehicle's exterior. The reduced thickness of the paint and clear-coat layers means that scratches and imperfections are more likely to reach the primer or base metal, requiring more extensive repairs. Traditional methods of correcting scratches, such as polishing or buffing, become increasingly challenging with thinner paint and clear-coat layers.
These are scratches on the older, thicker paint. Just think if all the paint layers are half as thick as shown on the left.
Navigating the intricacies of paint correction on the modern, thinner paints of contemporary vehicles requires a heightened level of precision and care. At Hanson's Auto Detail, we recognize that the challenge intensifies when addressing deeper scratches on these sleeker finishes. The reduced paint thickness leaves less room for correction, making it inherently more difficult to safely eliminate deeper imperfections. Our certified detailing experts approach each project with a meticulous understanding of these limitations, ensuring that the correction process is tailored to the specific characteristics of the paint. While our advanced techniques and cutting-edge compounds excel at addressing minor blemishes, the nature of thinner paints underscores the importance of proactive measures to prevent scratches and preserve the pristine appearance of your vehicle.
Enter Ceramic Coatings
Ceramic coatings have emerged as a great solution for safeguarding the increasingly thinner paint featured on modern vehicles. Crafted from cutting-edge nanotechnology, these coatings establish a robust protective layer atop the paintwork. The significance of ceramic coatings has never been more apparent, and here's why they are indispensable:
Enhanced Protection: Ceramic coatings act as a sacrificial barrier, offering comprehensive defense against UV rays, oxidation, chemical contaminants, and minor scratches. Their hydrophobic nature creates a surface that repels water, dirt, and grime, simplifying maintenance and preserving the vehicle's aesthetics over extended periods.
Long-Lasting Durability: Establishing a chemical bond with the paint, ceramic coatings create a semi-permanent shield. Through meticulous application and proper maintenance, these coatings exhibit remarkable durability, surpassing the protective capabilities of traditional waxes or sealants, providing years of resilient protection.
Improved Maintenance: The hydrophobic properties of ceramic coatings streamline routine cleaning processes. The slick surface minimizes the adhesion of dirt and contaminants, facilitating easy rinsing and reducing the likelihood of scratches during the washing ritual.
Now, add a ceramic coating on top of the thinner paint, light blue on the left. This is the thickness of our System X Max coating (up to 23 microns) added to a car with paint thickness of about 100 microns; that’s the light grey E-Coat/Dk Grey Primer/Red Basecoat/Blue Clearcoat. All of the carwash scratches and most of the fingernail, and even the belt buckle would damage the coating and not the paint.
Moreover, it's crucial to note that the protective layer offered by ceramic coatings serves as a first line of defense. This layer absorbs the impact of scratches, acting as a shield to safeguard the underlying paint. In essence, ceramic coatings add an extra dimension to vehicle protection by absorbing potential damage before it reaches the paint itself.
As the automotive industry adapts to meet environmental regulations and explore innovative paint technologies, new cars now feature thinner paint layers. While this brings benefits such as weight reduction and compliance with regulations, it also poses challenges for owners in terms of scratch correction. To counteract this, ceramic coatings have become an increasingly valuable solution, offering enhanced protection, durability, and easier maintenance for the delicate paintwork. As car owners strive to maintain the pristine appearance of their vehicles for longer, investing in a high-quality ceramic coating has become an essential step in preserving and safeguarding the thinner paint on new cars.
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