New Self-Healing Paint Gets Rid of Scratches

Paint scratches may be no more, thanks to a high-tech self-healing paint developed in Japan by the car manufacturer Nissan.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on September 25 2008

Whether the culprit is a runaway grocery cart, a thorny rosebush, or a vengeful ex with a set of keys, almost any car owner has dealt with the pain of finding a scratch on the shiny paint job. But soon, paint scratches may be no more, thanks to a high-tech self-healing paint developed in Japan by the car manufacturer Nissan.

The special Scratch Guard Coat is a synthetic resin, which is malleable enough to shift and fill in any scratches to the car’s surface, repairing the scratch completely within the space of a week. If that seems like too long to drive around with a scratched-up car, never fear: “You could speed the whole process up by pouring some warm water over the affected area — that would probably repair it in a matter of minutes,” a Nissan spokesman told the Times.

The magical paint will make its debut on the narrow roads of Japan, as an optional purchase on the Nissan X-Trail SUV. Buyers who want the self-healing paint must be prepared to pay 52,500 yen (around $500) for the bonus. Seems like a small price to pay for the power of regeneration –hopefully, it won’t be long before it heads State-side!

Filed under: Business, Science,

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