Comprehensive Analysis of Automotive Paint Application Processes and Quality Control

Regarding purification of compressed air systems, the oil-water separator filter element should be replaced every three months or after cumulative operation of 500 hours; condensate water must be drained daily before starting work by opening the drain valve. To verify absence of oil and moisture, hold a clean white sheet of paper—or use dedicated detection equipment—against the spray gun’s air outlet for several seconds. In spray gun maintenance, daily cleaning and care are critical—especially for the needle seal and nozzle assembly—which must be soaked and cleaned using specialized cleaning agents; scraping with metal tools is strictly prohibited. Regularly inspect the spray cap’s atomization performance to ensure uniform, non-deviated fan patterns. Practical implementation recommendations: Establish a closed-loop system of 'pre-shift inspection' and 'post-shift maintenance', documented in writing. Before each day’s painting operation, perform wet sweeping of the spray booth floor to eliminate dust; use a differential pressure gauge to monitor airflow resistance across the intake filter media—replacement is required when pressure drop exceeds double the initial value. Simultaneously conduct drainage checks on the air supply system and record results. Replace top and bottom filtration media in the spray booth regularly to maintain indoor air cleanliness at Class 10,000 (ISO Class 7) standards. IV. Strict Adherence to Standard Procedures and Curing Curves The coating process comprises multiple core steps: application of body filler (putty), spraying of intermediate primer, color coat application, and clear coat finishing. For each step, the triad of 'wet film thickness – flash-off time – baking temperature' constitutes the critical process window governing paint film curing quality. Deviations from standard procedures are root causes behind insufficient film hardness, reduced weather resistance, or microscopic pinholes. Key process control points: Body filler drying and sanding: Apply body filler in multiple thin layers—not thick single coats. After oven drying, sand using dry-grit sandpaper (P80–P120) with a power sander, and thoroughly remove sanding dust. Crucially, adhere to the principle of 'prefer thin over thick': excessive thickness significantly increases risks of subsequent film sagging or cracking. Intermediate primer’s barrier function: The intermediate primer effectively seals solvent penetration from both body filler and old paint layers, ensures strong intercoat adhesion, and fills fine sanding marks. It is recommended to apply intermediate primer using the 'wet-on-wet' technique; sufficient drying time—or low-temperature forced curing—must be ensured before sanding with P400–P500 grit paper. Color coat application control: Precise control of application viscosity, spray gun nozzle size, spray distance, and inter-coat flash-off time—strictly per product technical data sheets—is essential. For waterborne color coats, use an air blower to enforce flash-off, ensuring full water evaporation before applying subsequent layers or clear coat. PPG’s LINQ Lingqu system database enables precise matching for mainstream German, Japanese, and American vehicle models—with zero-level granularity—to deliver data-driven application support for diverse vehicle colors. Clear coat application and drying: Clear coat thickness should be maintained between 40–50 microns. Too thin compromises leveling and gloss; too thick risks runs and sags. During baking, surface temperature must reach the specified drying temperature for the product and be held there for the prescribed duration. Short-wave infrared curing lamps significantly improve heating efficiency and thermal uniformity—enabling more complete, inside-out film curing compared to conventional hot-air convection ovens.

Should You Check the Car Paint First When Buying a Vehicle? While Automakers Introduce Ever-More Colors, the Underlying Paint Suppliers Are Actually Just a Handful of Companies

Today’s trending and best-selling car colors have long transcended simple pigment mixing—they are underpinned by a sophisticated CMF engineering system (Color, Material, Finish). Popular chameleon paints such as Huawei’s Zhijie R7 Aurora Green, Xiaomi’s Twilight Rose, and Volkswagen’s Fairy Tale Green all employ multi-pigment colorant compounding and multi-layer pearlescent particle stacking techniques, leveraging light refraction and interference principles to achieve dynamic, angle-dependent chromatic effects. Visual color perception relies on special aluminum flakes and nano-pearlescent materials to break new ground in texture; meanwhile, stable mass production demands precise coating architecture design, micron-level robotic spraying, and stringent temperature/humidity control—every detail determines final paint quality and reflects the core technological capabilities of paint manufacturers. Dramatically accelerated vehicle iteration cycles are forcing a structural reconfiguration of the automotive paint supply chain. Traditional ICE vehicle development cycles averaged ~60 months; today’s NEVs have compressed this to just 24 months. High-frequency model launches and rapid color updates have become the norm. The former foreign supplier model—'R&D overseas, local deployment in China'—can no longer meet automakers’ demand for rapid responsiveness. Localized R&D, nearby sample development, swift validation, and efficient mass production have thus become key competitive advantages for leading paint suppliers. Foreign Giants: From 'Product Supply' to 'Front-End Co-Development' The most significant structural shift globally stems from BASF’s spin-off of its coatings business. By end-June this year, BASF’s coatings division completed its divestiture, establishing the independent entity Surventis. Surventis retains renowned automotive brands including鹦鹉 (Parrot), R-M, and KCC (Kemetal), offering comprehensive solutions for OEM coatings, refinish paints, and surface treatments. Several Chinese enterprises formerly affiliated with BASF Coatings have already initiated corporate name changes. Post-independence, Surventis is intensifying localized R&D efforts targeting domestic NEV OEMs—including Xiaomi and BYD—optimizing delivery capacity for 3C2B coating systems, waterborne color coats, and high-performance clear coats, thereby supporting premium domestic vehicle models. Another global leader, PPG, has recently focused on digital upgrades for electrophoretic (e-coat) pretreatment technology. At the ECOAT 26 industry conference, it launched its next-generation POWERCRON e-coat system, integrated with AIM AUTOMATE intelligent coating management software—leveraging digital systems to reduce shop-floor rework rates, lower chemical consumption, and cut baking energy use. PPG maintains long-term collaboration with BYD in topcoat development; their jointly engineered 'Argyle Purple' paint—applied on the Yangwang U9—marks the first use of optical materials in automotive body coatings, achieving light-responsive gradient effects. Axalta continues advancing low-temperature-cure, high-solids topcoat systems compatible with lightweight aluminum components and composite substrates used in NEVs, successfully implementing B1B2 (primerless) processes across multiple domestic NEV production lines—shortening cycle times and reducing energy consumption. Domestic Players: Capital Ties Reshaping Supplier Relationships While foreign giants deepen their presence, domestic paint enterprises are entering the core supply chain through alternative pathways. In August 2026, Seres Group made a strategic investment of RMB 150 million in Chongqing Huahui Coatings, acquiring a 14.63% stake—making it, alongside BYD, the second-largest shareholder. Consequently, Huahui’s shareholder roster now includes four leading Chinese NEV OEMs: BYD, Xiaomi, XPeng, and Seres—collectively holding over 37% equity.

PPG Introduces PPG LINQ Analytics Software for Body Shop Profitability

1 day ago

PPG Industries launched PPG LINQ Analytics software to help body shops improve profitability through data-driven insights on material usage and productivity metrics.

PPG Industries

2026-09-23

PPG Introduces PPG LINQ Analytics Software for Body Shop Profitability

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