by The term ‘Original Equipment Manufacturer’ or OEM refers to any company that builds products or components that are used in another company’s products. In the automotive industry, OEMs are the vehicle manufacturers such as Ford, GM, Toyota, etc. that produce complete, brand-new vehicles. OEM coatings refer to the various paints, sealants, and protective finishes that are applied to vehicle parts and components by the automaker during the manufacturing process.
OEM coatings play a critical role in auto manufacturing by protecting vehicle bodies and parts from corrosion and damage while meeting rigorous quality standards. The factory coatings must be able to withstand years of UV exposure, extreme temperatures, road salts, and other environmental stresses. They are formulated to bond strongly to metal substrates and form durable, long-lasting finishes. Maintaining a consistent, high-quality paint finish across millions of new vehicles is essential for automakers to uphold their brand image and vehicle durability reputation.
Different vehicle parts often require tailored coating formulations due to factors like material composition, surface profile, function, and location on the vehicle. For example, underbody coatings contain additional rust inhibitors to protect steel components like the frame and suspension from corrosive road salts. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Coatings are more scratch and stone chip resistant. Engine compartment coatings withstand high heat and chemical exposures. The correct OEM coatings ensure each component or part performs as designed over the life of the vehicle.
As society has increased focus on sustainability, automakers have responded by implementing stringent environmental standards for OEM coatings. Waterborne basecoat formulations have largely replaced solvent-borne types to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from paint shops. Bakers also search for coatings containing fewer or no hazardous air pollutants. Some have transitioned underbody corrosion protection to ecological zinc flakes rather than common chromate primers. OEMs work closely with suppliers to develop ‘greener’ coating technologies that lower environmental impact without compromising quality or performance outcomes.
Ensuring Appearance Consistency
Aside from protection and durability, OEM coatings have another crucial role – maintaining consistent vehicle appearance quality no matter where the vehicle is produced. Automakers have extremely tight color and gloss specifications that coatings must meet across production plants worldwide. Any variation could impact the new vehicle’s perceived value or brand reputation. Advanced application technologies like automated spray booths and multi-axis robots, coupled with stringent quality control testing help ensure coloring matching from panel to panel, hood to trunk. This technology assisted approach guarantees uniformity and keeps paint defects and mismatches to an absolute minimum.
To keep pace with rising production demands while controlling costs, automakers continually adopt advanced coating technologies. Powder coatings for some interior components save on energy by curing faster at lower temperatures compared to wet paints. Novel digital color management systems precisely monitor and adjust process parameters to maintain standard shades. Nanocoatings and smart additive packages have gained interest for enhancing properties like self-healing qualities that could reduce repaint rates. Looking ahead, more sustainable non-VOC waterborne systems using recycling resin innovations promise lower environmental footprints. Such advances will drive further gains in OEM coating process efficiencies and vehicle quality consistency.
Stringent Testing Ensures Lasting Performance
To prove new OEM coatings can meet a vehicle’s multi-year performance requirements, manufacturers conduct rigorous testing simulating real-world conditions. This includes accelerated weathering to evaluate how formulations hold up against extreme heat, cold, humidity, and UV radiation over the equivalent of 7 to 10 years of exposure. Additional tests scrutinize factors such as corrosion resistance when exposed to harsh salt-spray, chemical resistance to industrial and environmental pollutants, and stone chip vulnerability at strategic panel locations. Only coatings passing all assessment criteria can be certified for production use. This scientific verification gives automakers and buyers confidence that new vehicles will maintain a like-new appearance and withstand corrosion and damage over their usable lifespan.
Given the critical roles they fulfill, automakers choose OEM coating suppliers carefully based on their technical expertise, manufacturing capacity, and ability to consistently innovate. Long-term partnerships are common, with suppliers investing in R&D to assist OEMs in meeting evolving technical, quality, and sustainability targets. Suppliers provide application and QC training, on-site support and problem-solving assistance to keep production lines running optimally. They also spearhead ongoing formulation optimizations reducing environmental impact, incorporating ‘greener’ additives, and technologies like self-healing properties that could lower repair rates. Through close collaboration, both partners develop increasingly advanced coatings ensuring new vehicles maintain beauty, protection, and quality expectations throughout their service lifetimes.
Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coatings play a complex but essential role in automotive manufacturing by providing the protection, durability, consistency, and aesthetics required to meet exacting new vehicle standards. Continuous advances in coating chemistry and application technology have significantly improved production efficiencies while meeting rigorous demands for corrosion resistance, damage prevention and lasting product quality. Looking ahead, further innovations in ‘greener’ waterborne systems and smart additive packages promise lower environmental impacts without compromising performance. Sustained partnerships between OEMs and expert coating suppliers will drive ongoing formulation and process enhancements, allowing automakers to deliver vehicles that maintain excellent condition and brand reputation over many years of use.
About Author - Money Singh
Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. LinkedIn Profile
