New Paint that Repairs Scratches Automatically
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
Not that we’re recommending that you put it to the test, but Nissan Motor Co. has developed a new exterior paint that will automatically repair itself if it gets scratched. Reportedly finding its first North American application with the new 2008 Infiniti EX35 when it gets launched here in late December, “fluid finish” technology is set to revolutionize the automotive paint industry.
The technology, originally introduced under the name “scratch guard†in 2005, is currently being used on a Japanese-market X-Trail.
So how does it work? Like most new innovations, it sounds a lot simpler than it probably is. The trick comes down to a unique clearcoat layer that contains an elastic resin. The resin retains fluidity for about three years into the car’s life, allowing the coating to flow back into shape, thus erasing minor scratches.