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'Magic' paint is up to scratch

No, you're not imagining things... That's us attacking a new car's bonnet with a wire brush! It's an extreme example of every car owner's nightmare: scratched paint. But it could soon be a thing of the past.

Our man Lyon attacks the revolutionary new paint on Nissan's bonnet...

By Peter Lyon

21st March 2006

In a world first, Nissan has developed a special coating that means the end for minor scrapes, keeping bodywork in showroom condition. Eager to show off the new paint and other futuristic technology - including a very clever parking system - the Japanese manufacturer invited Auto Express to its Oppama Technical Centre in Tokyo.

Co-developed with Nippon Paint Company, the Scratch Guard Coat is an elastic clear layer that's applied on top of an existing base coat to form a scratch-resistant surface. Its rubbery properties mean that scratches caused by car washes and fingernails will 'repair' themselves in the warmth of natural sunlight - similar to how human skin knits itself back together.

To test the innovation, Nissan gave us a metal brush and invited us to damage the paint on a brand new car! Scratches applied, technicians from the firm then recreated the warming process of the sun by pouring hot water over the damaged surface. In a matter of minutes, the marks were gone. It's estimated the paint provides a protective barrier for about three years and costs only a few hundred pounds to apply.

The new coat can repair itself only if its surface hasn't been breached - but even then, Nissan claims the paintwork can be reapplied for roughly the same cost as current finishes. Scratch Guard Coat will be available in Japan first, and is likely to come to Europe in a few years' time.

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