New S. Korean technology repairs car scratches through sunlight exposure

The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology has developed a new self-healing coating material that repairs car surface scratches through sunlight exposure.

To change their chemical properties and make high molecular components repeat bonding and debonding processes, traditional commercial coating materials are given a boost with the newly invented coating substance, hindered urea.

The coating was combined by the study team with a transparent photothermal dye that produces heat from light.

As the temperature of the covered surface rises as a result of the heat from the sun, chemical reactions actively occur, automatically filling in surface scratches.

By applying the newly created material to the surface of an automobile model that was about 10 centimeters long and purposefully scratching it, the research team was able to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new technology.

The scratch was fully repaired in 30 minutes by daytime sunlight and within 30 seconds using a magnifying glass. If commercialized, this technology can help car surface scratches be repaired naturally while driving in the daytime.