Car Paint is taken for granted by a lot of people. However, paint is an important part of your car, and a fascinating subject if you’re interested in science
Come with us as we show you all the layers that your car’s paint comprises. With automotive paint, as with many other things, there is more than meets the eye.
Substrate
This is the uncoated, or unpainted, surface of your car that is protected by the paint. If the substrate were left exposed to the elements, then corrosion would occur very easily thanks to the interaction of oxygen and moisture.
Pretreatment
A chemical treatment applied to the unpainted metal surface to enhance the adhesion of paint and ward off corrosion. The pretreatment stands between the bare metal and the actual coating of paint. Zinc phosphate and zirconium oxide are two of the substances most commonly used as pretreatments.
E-coat
Also called cathodic electrocoat, the E-coat is applied by submerging the body in a tank and applying electrical current. This layer provides a barrier to water and forms a strong bond with the pretreatment, keeping corrosion at bay.
Primer
This is the first layer of a coating system. Its function is to both protect the substrate and prepare it for the application of the basecoat (see below). Therefore, it must have great adhesion both to the surface of the car and to the next coat
Basecoat
A highly pigmented coat that provides the color and, in some cases, special effects. It order to achieve the right color, it may consist of several coats. It also plays a role in protecting the body against the elements.
Clearcoat
This is the last coat to be applied. It’s essentially pigment-free paint whose main function is to provide protection as well as the desired gloss level.
We hope you enjoyed this brief journey through the layers of your car’s paint. If you find it interesting, you can continue to explore the topic with our Body Shop Glossary.
At Inland Empire Autobody & Paint Inc. we have the expertise and the drive to always deliver great results. We take pride in our day-to-day workmanship and we work closely with our clients to satisfy their every concern.
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