“You can have any color as long as it’s black.” Henry Ford’s famous words may have stood the test of time, but it’s the automotive aftermarket that took the first half of that “any color” quote and ran with it. Paint technology has come a long way from the early days of black-only Model Ts to today’s diverse color palettes and advanced formulations.
The Road to AAPEX journey through automotive paint history takes us to Transtar Autobody Technologies in Brighton, Michigan, to discuss the various stages of paint technology development. Babcox Media’s Scott Shriber, automotive aftermarket guru, charts the automotive paint evolution from the rudimentary varnishes and lacquers to the sophisticated catalyzed systems and eco-friendly water-based paints.
Meanwhile, Joe Keene, Babcox Media’s ASE-certified technician, heads into the paint booth for a headlight restoration that involves a waterborne degreaser and clear coat application to restore clarity and protect headlights, which can be a valuable service for aftermarket professionals.
Be sure to check out the previous episode of this season’s Road to AAPEX here:
