Importance of Automotive Finishing
It’s easy to think of automotive finishing as a frivolous step when it comes to automotive manufacturing. After all, the paint doesn’t make the car go. It’s just for looks, right?
Actually, automotive finishing is one of the most important parts of auto manufacturing. Sure, the paint makes the car look good, which is important to car buyers, but the car’s paint and all the protective coatings on it are important tools for protecting the car’s value, and the car itself.
Although cars are made of strong metals, those metals still break down over time, especially if exposed to water, heat or harmful chemicals. Paint helps slow the breakdown of the metals in the car. Even parts of the car that aren’t painted — such as the undercarriage — are sealed with a protective coating as part of the finishing process. Protecting the paint with clear coat helps protect the metal underneath even more.
You’ve probably seen old rust buckets sitting in someone’s yard or on the side of the road. A car is only as strong as its metal, so if a car’s body is rusting, and pieces flake off when you touch it, how is that car going to hold up in an accident? Chances are good that it won’t. Also, a car is a big expenditure for most people, so in addition to boosting the car’s safety, a protective finish helps keep that financial investment from rusting away. Having a cool-looking car is just the icing on the cake.
