Over the past few years, car repair has had more changes than any other industry. You used to be able to drop your car off at the shop, trusting that the technician would know exactly what to do to your car. Any problems would be “fixed” and you’d get your car back, looking brand new.
There is no such thing as a “one size fits all” car repair. Auto repair technicians need training in order to know how to properly repair your car, otherwise, it could result in major damage to your vehicle. The best way for your car to be repaired is when a technician follows what the manufacturer tells them, where quality and safety are the top priorities. These are known as OEM repair procedures. The best body shops know to follow these repair procedures when doing any type of repair for your car. If they don’t, then your safety will be at risk.
What is clear coat, and how is it different from automotive paint?
Automotive paint is a combination of solvents, fillers, resins, additives, solvents, and pigments for colored paints. The top layer of clear paint that creates that glossy look on your car is clear coat.
There are three essential ingredients in automotive paint. They are:
Resin
Pigment
Solvent
The resin is the component that provides adhesion to the applied surface, holds together the pigment in suspension, and is what determines the quality and paint durability.
The pigment comes in a powder form similar to concrete. A typical aftermarket automotive paint mixing system includes around 100 colors or toners to be able to mix formulas, including metallic and pearl paint colors.
The solvent is what provides the transferability. Without it, the paint would be too thick to transfer from container to container.
Clear coat is the same as any other automotive paint, just without the pigments.
A typical paint process on a car will look like this:
Why is clear coat added to my car?
In order for your car to have that shiny look, clear coat will need to be added. Technicians will also use it during any paint related repairs to get that smooth finish on your car. It also serves as a protection for the pigmented (color) paint underneath from fading and oxidizing from UV rays. If you ever notice a car that has peeling paint, chances are it doesn’t have a thick enough clear coat layer. The image below is a result of a car that didn’t have a thick enough clear coat layer to protect it from peeling, due to UV rays from the sun.
Can clear coat ever cause a problem?
Depending on the repair, a technician might need to perform a paint repair in order to achieve the desired final result. However, if a technician removes too much clear coat, it can cause severe damage to your vehicle. This damage can be discoloration, peeling, hazing, and finish failure. How much a technician removes is based on how much was applied.
This image shows what peeling looks like on a car with too little clear coat:
According to I-CAR, clear coat on a car “should be restored during the refinishing process to protect the vehicle from defects like those listed above.”
Trained auto painters and technicians will know to monitor the clear coat thickness throughout the repair and refinishing process. These trained professionals will know the difference between too much and too little clear coat to ensure your vehicle has the exact amount it requires.
Clear coat problems and ADAS
If you purchased a car over the past few years, your car is likely equipped with ADAS technology. Just last year, the NHTSA made it a requirement for all new vehicles to come standard with a rearview camera. Some of the most common ADAS safety features you’ll see in modern vehicles are blind-spot detection, forward collision warning, lane change assist, and of course, a rearview camera.
These advanced technologies are made up of a bunch of sensors that are placed in different areas of your car. The sensors serve as an additional pair of eyes to keep you safe on the road. The bumper cover can have up to 4 sensors alone.
Every car manufacturer will have paint thickness restrictions for each one of their cars, including other repair requirements for technicians to follow. If the maximum paint coat thickness is past the required amount, it can cause the advanced safety features to no longer perform their designated functions. This is because these sensors wouldn’t be able to “see” what’s happening on the road, increasing your risk of getting in a collision.
We look forward to hearing from you and helping you in any of your auto repair needs!
