Mercedes-Benz started from scratch when it went looking for a more durable paint for its automobiles. What the auto-maker wound up with is a clear lacquer that contains microscopically small ceramic particles. As the paint hardens in the assembly plant's paintshop oven, the ceramic particles interact on the nanoscale and make the lacquer even harder. The lacquer top coat is quite effective in protecting the pigment-bearing paint under it from scratches, particularly those that can be inflicted by mechanical car washes. Mercedes engineers have seen as much as a 40% improvement in paint gloss compared to conventional clear lacquers in cars subjected to repeated washes. This example of nanotechnology has been used by Mercedez-Benz since 2003. This article looks at other new nanotechnology advances.
