Toyota Scratches The Surface With New Clearcoat
Collisionrepairmag.com reports that AzkoNobel, a chemicals company from the Netherlands, has teamed up with Toyota to create Sikkens Autoclear LV, a scratch resistant, self healing clearcoat. The product has been approved by Toyota for use on the Lexus LS range as an aftermarket clearcoat to be used at Toyota dealerships and Toyota affiliated collision repair facilities around the world. According to the article, “Sikkens Autoclear LV Exclusive is highly resistant to scratches, and holds up extremely well after repeated washings, but it truly differentiates itself from other clearcoats with its outstanding self-healing characteristics when a vehicle is nonetheless damaged. With extraordinary “re-flow” properties designed into the coating, small scratches virtually disappear in minutes when exposed to a heat source at temperatures ranging from 40-80 degrees celsius–and even exposure to the sun will initiate the healing process.”
AzkoNobel were gushing with pride. “We’re very pleased to be able to provide Toyota with a solution that meets all of Toyota’s requirements, consistent with the standards for quality that have earned Lexus its reputation all around the world,” said Sosuke Shinozaki, key account manager for AkzoNobel Car Refinishes. “We look forward to working with Toyota and providing support to Lexus repair specialists throughout its global network.” I hate to be the one to scratch their paintwork (don’t worry, it’ll self heal) but, unfortunately, Nissan beat them to it a long time ago.
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Fascinating concept ... wonder if it is self-healing as in the galvanized sheet-metal ads Audi used to introduce the technology... or if under this heat it just flows ... I wonder about the vertical surfaces and whether the material flows downward under the force of gravity ... and gets thicker toward the bottom of the panel ... Ever seen the glass mosaics of windows in medieval cathedrals and chapels? the glass is thicker at the bottom because it has been flowing for a thousand years ... if the Lexus flow rate is like this then no issue, but if it is somewhat faster ... a whole new industry like gravity boots for your car will be born!
I'm sure this will work just as well as self sealing tires. What happened to them, anyway?
Next...... Terminators rampaging across the land.
Why can I just imagine Toyota recalling these cars in 2012 to install a warning sticker about prolonged sun exposure, after a string of mysterious incidents in which Lexus automobiles suddenly burst into flames in Florida-area Wal-Mart parking lots?