The Evolution of Vehicle Paint Finishes: Understanding the Differences and Importance of Maintenance

Paint finishes on vehicles have evolved over the years, with advancements in paint technology and changes in production processes leading to differences between older and newer vehicles. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at these differences and why it's even more important to maintain the finishes on newer vehicles due to their thinner paint. We'll also discuss how paint correction on these newer vehicles differs from that on older vehicles.

Paint Technology: Older vehicles used solvent-based paint formulas, which were more durable and resistant to fading compared to the new water-based formulas used on modern vehicles. Solvent-based paints offered better protection against environmental pollutants and weather conditions, but they were also more sensitive to heat and had higher VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions, leading to concerns about their impact on the environment.

In response to these concerns, the automotive industry shifted to water-based paints, which offer improved UV protection and lower VOC emissions. However, these new water-based paints are also more sensitive to environmental pollutants and weather conditions, leading to faster fading over time. As a result, it's important to take steps to protect the paint finish, such as regular washing and waxing, to slow down the fading process and maintain the vehicle's appearance.

Changes in Production Processes: In an effort to reduce production costs and improve fuel efficiency, modern vehicles often use thinner paint layers. The thinner paint dries faster and allows for faster production times, but it provides less protection against environmental factors and fading. In addition, the use of robots and automated processes in modern vehicle production can lead to issues such as overspray and paint defects, which can impact the appearance and longevity of the paint finish.

Importance of Maintenance: Proper maintenance, such as regular washing and waxing, is crucial for protecting the paint finish and preventing fading on both older and modern vehicles. However, it's even more important on modern vehicles due to their thinner paint, which provides less protection against environmental factors and fading. Neglecting maintenance can lead to faster fading and damage, as well as make paint correction more challenging.

Paint Correction on Newer Vehicles: Paint correction on modern vehicles requires a different approach compared to older vehicles due to their softer paint finish. The lighter touch and more precise techniques are required to avoid causing damage during the correction process. It's also important to choose the right abrasive compound and technique for the specific paint finish, as well as to avoid over-correcting, which can remove too much paint and cause the finish to look thin or uneven. A great product that can be used on any paint finish to produce just the right results is our Extreme Finish Platinum Ultra Cut X

In addition, modern vehicles often feature more curves and contours, making it more difficult to access all areas of the vehicle during the correction process. This can result in missed spots and uneven correction, so it's important to choose a paint correction specialist who has experience working with modern vehicles.

In conclusion, paint finishes on vehicles have changed over the years, with advances in paint technology and changes in production processes leading to differences between older and newer vehicles. Proper maintenance is crucial for protecting the paint finish and preventing fading, especially on modern vehicles with thinner paint. Paint correction on modern vehicles requires a lighter touch and more precise techniques, and it's important to choose a specialist with experience working with modern vehicles to avoid damaging the paint finish.