After four years of development work, an innovative new clear lacquer went into series production at Mercedes-Benz at the end of 2003. Ground-breaking nanotechnology ensures that the new product is substantially more scratch-resistant than conventional paint. The E, S, CL, SL and SLK-Class model series are the first cars in the world to be available with this new paint system, whilst customers of other Mercedes models can look forward to the increased scratch resistance of nano-paintwork from this spring.
The newly developed clear lacquer, which contains microscopically small ceramic particles, hardens in the paintshop oven, forming an extensively cross-linked network. The paint is therefore more effectively protected against scratches caused by mechanical car washes, for example. The nano-particles provide a three-fold improvement in the scratch resistance of the paintwork and ensure visibly enhanced gloss over an extended period of time. Following extreme tests in a laboratory car wash, Mercedes engineers noted an around 40% improvement in paint gloss compared to conventional clear lacquers.
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