The origins of automotive coating

Let's move on to the second chapter of our dossier on the history of car paint, motorcycle paint and bike paint : the evolution of car coating. You will find that these innovations have made it possible to optimize the strength and resistance of automotive paints.

Car paints and their evolution

This retrospective will refer to three late 20th century inventions:
1970: Polyurethane paints
1978: The two-coat system
The 1980s: Modern finishes

1970 : polyurethane paints

In 1970, two-component polyurethane paints were introduced, providing greater mechanical and chemical resistance, applicable to cars, but also to machinery, machinery and trucks.

1978 : the bi-layer

In 1978, it was the birth of the two-layer system, more or less as we know it today! This completely new type of finish has been developed. It is called base coat and clear coat and was implemented by a first base coat (colored lacquer), followed by a hard and transparent finishing varnish, containing UV absorber additives in order to protect the pigments from the base coat.
This two-coat system was reserved for luxury cars, because of its high price.

1980-1990 : modern finishes

Thanks to the development and progress of the major paint brands in manufacturing, the costs are reduced and the paint system (base + varnish) is popularized industrially.
But all was not right again because a frequent problem of paint peeling on the base, appearing after a few years, forced many cars and trucks to be repainted, calling on their warranty.
This umpteenth difficulty encountered by manufacturers of paints and automobiles was fortunately the last. Solutions were quickly found by chemists, and gave rise to the development of the most resistant modern finishes in history, protecting the bodywork for more than 20 years, without any maintenance or upkeep.

The evolution of the first car paint, motorcycle paint and bike paint
The future of car paint, motorcycle paint and bike paint
The history of the Stardustcolors company