E-Weekly
Sep 8th, 2008                                Print this article

Automotive: Carbon Motors taps paintfilm for full concept-car exterior

By Modern Plastics Editorial Staff

Citing a desire for the best technologies, fiscal responsibility, and environmentally conscientious manufacturing, a maker of law-enforcement vehicles has chosen a 100% paint-film exterior for a concept car. Carbon Motors Corp. (Atlanta) will work with thermoplastic paintfilm supplier Soliant LLC (Lancaster, SC) on a concept demonstration vehicle to be constructed before year’s end, with eventual plans for a North American production facility. Soliant’s paintfilm is integrated into some 50 million automotive parts currently on the road, according to the company, including fascias, door steps, rocker panels, stone guards, body side moldings, A pillars, roofing strips, and window surrounds. The company says this is the first time an exterior of 100% paint film will be made, with most OEMs continuing to use their existing paint lines, given the huge capital investment they’ve made in them.

The exterior body panels for the Carbon Motors E7 law enforcement vehicle will combine technology from Soliant and BASF. The thermoplastic body panels will include an enhanced UV-cured film, with augmented scratch and mar resistance that reportedly will allow vehicle coating at minimal financial and environmental costs.

Soliant’s paintfilm allows a variety of colors, including two-tones, metallics, and pearlescents, as well as special effects and finishes like chrome and brushed chrome.

In addition to lower initial investment costs, less floor space, and no volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, Soliant says its paintfilm technology uses less energy than paint. The company’s calculations assert that the electrical power savings achieved using paintfilm instead of paint are 150,000 MW hours per year—roughly equivalent to the power consumption of 17,000 average U.S. homes. The technology also results in water savings, boosting its green footprint.

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