Scratch resistant "self healing" fluid finish paint

[Dogged]

2005 Nissan Press Release:

"TOKYO (Dec. 2, 2005)-- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., has developed the world’s first clear paint that repairs scratches on painted car surfaces, including scratches from car-washing machines, off-road driving and fingernails.

“Scratch Guard Coat” contains a newly developed high elastic resin that helps prevent scratches from affecting the inner layers of a car’s painted surface. With “Scratch Guard Coat” a car’s scratched surface will return to its original state anywhere from one day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of the scratch.

The water-repellant paint also has a higher resistance to scratches compared with conventional clear paints. A vehicle painted with “Scratch Guard Coat” will have only one-fifth the abrasions caused by a car-washing machine compared with a car covered with conventional clear paint. Scratches from car-washing machines account for the majority of scratches to painted car surfaces.

“Scratch Guard Coat” is effective for about three years.

“Scratch Guard Coat” will be applied for the first time on an SUV model that is scheduled for a partial makeover in the near future. The paint will be applied to the car’s chassis, bumpers, door mirrors, among other parts."
NISSAN | NEWS PRESS RELEASE

2007:

"Scratch-resistent paint a first on Infiniti EX35. Infiniti officially unveiled the production version of their EX35 on August 18 at the Pebble Beach Concours d' Elegance. The newest trick tech: the CUV has "fluid finish" technology. The trick paint has an elastic resin in the clearcoat, automatically repairing scratches in the paint. The process lasts about three years. Scratches take anywhere from a few few hours to a few days to fix depending on weather conditions. The CUV arrives in showrooms this December."
Nissan Sport: The magazine for Nissan, Datsun, Infiniti enthusiasts

2007 Nissan Press Releases

"PEBBLE BEACH, CALIF. (Aug. 18, 2007) –

. . . .

The new EX35 also becomes the second Infiniti production vehicle, following the fall introduction of the 2008 Infiniti M, to offer the new Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, and the first to feature “Scratch Shield,” a special “self-healing” clearcoat paint."
Nissan • Infiniti News Bureau

“TOKYO - (Aug. 22, 2007) – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the all-new X-TRAIL sport utility vehicle (SUV), which goes on sale today at Nissan dealers [in Japan] nationwide.

. . . .

Seven exterior colors are available, including a new "Desert Amber" color. Nissan's new Scratch Guard, a transparent coating containing a flexible resin compound, is available with three X-TRAIL body colors - Burning Red, Sapphire Blue and Diamond Black. Scratch Guard enables the paint to "repair" minor scratches within a short period of time.” .: Nissan Announces All-New Second Generation Nissan X-TRAIL SUV in Japan - Nissan :. Auto Spectator


"Nissan originally announced the technology in 2005 under the name "scratch guard," but has dropped that marketing name. The paint is now used on a Nissan SUV sold in Japan called the X-Trail. The EX, which will go on sale here in late December, is Nissan's first North American vehicle with the special paint." Infiniti EX35 Fluid Finish Paint - Infiniti EX35

Comments.

It appears that Nissan first announced a scratch resistant clearcoat in late 2005 then called "Scratch Guard Coat." According to the 2005 Nissan press release, the clearcoat is a "high elastic resin" "effective for about three years," the "car’s scratched surface will return to its original state anywhere from one day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of the scratch, and the "water-repellant paint," "has a higher resistance to scratches." The clearcoat is now called "Scratch Guard" in Japan available on the X-TRAIL, and "Fluid Finish Paint" or Scratch Shield to be available on the Infiniti EX35 in the United States.

Why has Nissan been so slow to roll out the product? Is it more water resistant, as well as scratch resistent? The water resistant feature was deleted from the recent press releases, which also clarify that the self healing works for "minor" scratches. It will be interesting to read some reviews on the clearcoat after the Infiniti EX35 is released in December. Will it really make the paint more resistant to swirls?

[Bezor]

I thought Merc had this paint finish also?

[Dogged]

Originally Posted by Bezor

I thought Merc had this paint finish also?

I have not read anything about any other car manufacturer applying a clearcoat with a highly elastic resin advertised as being capable of healing certain scratches and withstanding abrasion caused by automatic carwash brushes. Following your post, I looked for it on the web but did not find anything.