Filed under: Gadgets
Nissan develops self-repairing paint
Nissan Motor unveiled Friday a new clearcoat paint that repairs small scratches on car surfaces.
Nissans "Scratch Guard Coat" is based on an elastic resin that not only protects the paint under the clearcoat, but
also slowly repairs scratches in the clear surface - gradually returning to its original unscratched state in anywhere
from a day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of the scratch. (Before and after pics at right.)
The primary purpose of Scratch Guard is resisting fine scratches from
automated car wash machines. Nissan says its scratch resistant properties are good for about 3 years.
[Source: Nissan] Thanks for the tip, Jason!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
flash_e_gt 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
People are not commenting on this....that is BAD ASS!
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smj 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
THAT's cool. Query what happens AFTER 3 years. Does it just scratch like normal, or does it peel off like a sunburn?
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Jay 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
That's pretty impressive...I wonder what the price difference between that and a more typical paint process would be...
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Strom 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
That is awesome!
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Katz 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
On engadget they were posting a lot about robots now this here. Judgemet Day is coming.
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Jason E. Rist 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
In this article: http://www.physorg.com/news8675.html
It says "The 'Scratch Guard Coat' paint, which protects for three years, will debut on a sports-utility vehicle which is set for a makeover, Nissan said. "
Is that the sports utility vehicle in the picture?
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Disgruntled Car Salesman 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Depending on the longevity/effectiveness of this paint, it will be nothing short of a new standard in the industry.
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Brad 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
SMJ has it right. What happens after the three year period? Does it just look like normal, scratched paint? Does it oxidize and look like some of those early 90's GM, Dodge, and Hondas with the milky looking clearcoats? I think it's an outstanding product, but it won't be worth it if the paint all of a sudden sloughs off the car after three years like a snake shedding it's skin.
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dodiet 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
That is pretty cool but wish it last longer than the three years. And in response to above, the vehicle in the picture is the X-Trail I believe.
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far jr 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
My three year old son drew mommy and daddy a nice picture on the side of our car with a rock...I bet it doesn't work for that. This will be great for Nissan. Nissan advised me not to use tire foam on my truck tires as it may sling off and cause permanent paint damage...I had never heard this one before.
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Mark 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
What do you think this will do to teh detailing industry. There are many people, myself included, who make some or all of their living off of removing scratches and other defects from the vehicles of others. I guess after 3 years it would be back to normal but this could be a big blow for a lot of good, hardworking people.
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eric 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Mark...
Since when have the import auto makers ever cared about good, hardworking people earning a living?
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JIm 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
#9. Mark, I'd be willing to bet it's not a perfect solution and you'll be able to keep detailing w/out problem. The question you might ask however, is what special detailing process do I need to be doing with this new paint, if any.
I would suspect over time the paint just loses it's ability to "heal itself" and becomes like any other paint. If not, well, the lawyers are waiting.
A real plus is to prevent dealership morons from installing those "optional" buff marks we all love in our new cars.
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Kevin Buchanan 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
I'm curious as to what happens if you polish & wax the paint.
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Mick 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
From paint to politics in a brushstroke. There is absolutely nothing safe to read anymomre.
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Tmoney 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
This will be a great for "spiderwebs," but detailers will always be needed for interiors, large scratches, and quality work. I don't about Mark's customers...but all of mine would never take their vehicle to a 'car wash'. This paint may resist scratches, but we all know that a car oxidizes from not washing/waxing and taking care of the clearcoat.
I think that this will be a great, innovative way for people to retain a great looking car.
And for far jr - most of the tire foam and silicone based spray products will damage your clearcoat if not removed - because of the petroleum based content. It will usually look like a stain on your paint...not super bad...but bad enough. Just look at what it can do to your driveway!
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Tmoney 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Eric...
They have cared ever since they started building American manufacturing plants and picked up the slack from the Domestic layoffs. Just because they are smart and don't give in to the union demands that will make them go bankrupt...does mean they don't care.
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Mal Fuller 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
I'm curious whether a bodyshop's painting of a panel or two can include (restore) this feature to collision damaged areas?
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John 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
"Since when have the import auto makers ever cared about good, hardworking people earning a living?"
Are you kidding? Like Detroit cares any differently than Nissan or Toyota or VW?
Maybe we should go back to annual tuneups and 10k mile tires and 1,000 mile oil change interals and cars that rusted out in 4 yrs... to keep good hardworking people employed? Sheesh!
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Brian 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
"Maybe we should go back to annual tuneups and 10k mile tires and 1,000 mile oil change interals and cars that rusted out in 4 yrs... to keep good hardworking people employed? Sheesh!"
Yup, which means we'd also go back to paying only $2000 for a new car. Where do I sign?
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