Why Are Japanese Car Paints Generally Thin?
3 Answers
The reason why Japanese car paints are thin is to maintain the smoothness of the car surface. Below is relevant information about car paint: 1. Function of car paint: The primary role of car paint is to protect the car's surface from corrosion, enhance the car's aesthetic appeal, and prolong its service life. 2. Performance aspects: Car paint must meet high-performance requirements, including excellent mechanical properties and gloss, as well as outstanding scratch resistance and wear resistance. 3. Paint material: Car paint is typically a baked finish, processed through multiple layers and dried at temperatures as high as 200 degrees Celsius to achieve stable properties, forming a durable oil film on the car body to protect it.
I've driven several Japanese cars and noticed their paint is generally thinner, which mainly relates to Japanese automakers' strategies. They prioritize cost control and weight reduction - saving a few microns of paint per car adds up to significant material and labor savings. Japanese manufacturers are also meticulous about fuel efficiency; thinner paint reduces vehicle weight by several kilograms per unit, creating a noticeable cumulative effect. Additionally, their production processes emphasize efficiency and environmental protection, focusing on quick-curing painting techniques and reduced VOC emissions, which also limits paint thickness. While some worry about protection, modern clear coats actually offer decent hardness and UV resistance. They work fine for daily use, though minor scratches may reach the primer more easily - that's why touch-up pens have become a permanent item in my glove compartment.
I found that the thin paint on many Japanese cars is fundamentally a matter of market positioning. They focus on being economical and practical, meticulously calculating everything from materials to processes, and thin paint directly reduces overall vehicle costs. Japan's local road conditions are good, with lower demands on paint protection, and this design philosophy has been carried over to global markets. Interestingly, Japanese cars sold in North America have thicker paint, proving that the market ultimately dictates. In daily use, Japanese cars with light-colored paint show scratches more easily, like the fine swirl marks on black paint, which are particularly noticeable—requiring soft-bristle brushes for washing. Fortunately, painting technology has improved; water-based paint, though thin, is highly eco-friendly and makes spot repairs easier.
