Auto Technical Reference Library Auto Refinishing

Topic Index

OEM Paint Finishes

Today's passenger car and light truck OEM installed finishes are either "thermo-setting" acrylic enamel, high solids basecoat/clearcoat enamels, or waterbase, low VOC materials. These enamel finishes are baked in ovens at high temperature to  cure the paint.

During the manufacturing process, vehicle manufacturers use several different types of finish materials, coatings and application processes. Each type of refinish operation requires different planning and repair steps.

The most common types of OEM coating processes include:

• Single-stage
• Two-stage (basecoat/clearcoat)
• Three-stage (Tri-coat)
• Multi-stage

The most common types of OEM application processes include:

• Spray gun
• Robotics
• Electrostatic
• Powder coating