I remember reading that the paint on German cars is soft and prone to chipping simply because environmental laws require the paint to be water based. Since environmental laws are just as strict in the U.S. how is it that U.S. made car paint seems more durable ? Or is this just not true ?

 

German environmental laws are light-years ahead of those in the USA. For example, they have a carbon-based tax, paid through the (substantial) annual auto license. It penalises owners of fuel-inefficient cars. I'm not sure about air emissions regulations for organic solvents though.

German consumers are in many cases "ahead" of their legislation and demand "green" products, so the private sector obliges. I don't see this trend at all in North America...

 

I don't think they use different paints for overseas markets. I assume the German regulations are for where the paint is applied, and not where the car is going. I think they are concerned about the paint spraying process, so where the cars end up wouldn't be the issue.

I understand many manufacturers have been using water based paints for a few years now.

Smoky

 

I believe that US made cars use water based paints also. However it is possible some chemical additives may be allowed here which are not allowed in Germany.

 

I took the MB factory tour in Germany and they mentioned MB uses water based paint. That's why the body had to be ultra cleam before they apply the paint. The showed they were using feathers to perfectly clean the body. I think they apply the same paint for all the cars.