Are White Japanese Cars Still Single Stage Paint?

**Swanicyouth** · 03-06-2017, 05:11 PM

Specifically - Nissan. May be buying a new truck (2016/17 Frontier Pro 4X) & may be getting white. Dunno if ss paint is something necessarily to avoid - just like to know what I`m getting if I choose white.

TIA.

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**jrock645** · 03-06-2017, 05:16 PM

Think it depends on the brand, and some offer two different whites- the premium one probably isn`t SS. But I have heard Toyota still uses SS quite a bit.

**845guy** · 03-06-2017, 09:38 PM

This is a fantastic question! I`m lurking to see a definitive answer. I`d say go to the dealer but what the hell do they know haha

Maybe reach out to Toyota through social media?

**Justins00ss** · 03-07-2017, 08:32 AM

Toyota and Honda still use single stage white. I did a SS Honda pilot last year

**Lonnie** · 03-07-2017, 11:24 AM

I assume single stage means there is no clear coat over the actual paint pigment. White paint uses titanium oxide (or dioxide) in its pigment to get the bright white coloring and as the chemical name implies, titanium is a very hard and tough metal compound, which is why white paints tend to be a little harder to correct or polish (pun intended!!)

One way to tell if you have a single stage paint is IF the coloring (pigment) is transferred to the pad material (or what even media you are using) during the compounding or polishing process. If it is, you will need to clean the pad (or media) often to prevent marring from this dead pigment being removed. Faded SS red paints were (are?) my favorite for this to happen to.

Who ever says that white paint does not fade has never worked on the above-mentioned manufacturer`s vehicles being left out in the summer sun not being waxed (or detailed) for many years and then you as a detailer get to work on them, because "they always look clean!", according to the previous owner. Vehicles from the deep south and desert southwest are notorious for this.

**Poorboy** · 03-07-2017, 12:39 PM

I know that Japanese car makers are still using a "Single stage" paint as every once in a while we run into a customer who calls us to tell us their car has turned pink from using Natty`s Red paste wax.. as you know wax can not penetrate a clear coat but on single stage and gel coats, color transfer is possible. One strange coincidence was that it almost only happened on the front bumpers and very rarely on the body.

**The Driver** · 03-07-2017, 01:02 PM

Toyota is actually both, I`ve done various FJ cruisers. Believe it or not the Roof and connecting parts of the single piece section are SS. Why? I suspect cost, all FJ`s have the roof in white, but replaceable parts such as doors are actually all cleared.

**Swanicyouth** · 03-07-2017, 01:32 PM

Thanks all....

Is there any reason to necessarily avoid ss paint?

**The Driver** · 03-07-2017, 01:41 PM

Pad stain and paint can somtimes be stained from harsh cleaners.

**Poorboy** · 03-07-2017, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Swanicyouth

Thanks all....

Is there any reason to necessarily avoid ss paint?

no reason at all .. I spent more of my life dealing with SS than Clear Coats ...

only warning is to be more cautious if you don`t have a paint gauge .. since most SS are on older vehicles (survivors)

For the modern ones, again be cautious and try the least aggressive path first

**Accumulator** · 03-07-2017, 04:40 PM

As I keep posting, I generally *prefer* high-quality ss, at least on certain vehicles. Wouldn`t *want* my Jag in b/c (and it`s a metallic).

**Lonnie** · 03-07-2017, 04:56 PM

Are modern single-stage paints water-based or are they solvent based? I would assume water-based due to meeting current EPA regulations for emissions during vehicle factory production, but I am assuming and do not know.
Since I do not know the difference, I also assume they are some type of poly-urethane in chemical composition as opposed to a (an older) solvent-based enamel or lacquer or even epoxy.

Maybe some resident Autopian who does body shop painting can "educate" me (and I am sure others) on different vehicle paint types and compositions.

**Poorboy** · 03-07-2017, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Lonnie

Are modern single-stage paints water-based or are they solvent based? I would assume water-based due to meeting current EPA regulations for emissions during vehicle factory production, but I am assuming and do not know.

The answer may be more complicated than a simple answer because some of the models in question are made in other countries without the Voc regulations