22 Jul SKIN CAR: Ibercompound’s new generation of temporary bodywork protection
- SKIN CAR represents a significant step forward in the preventive conditioning of new vehicles.
- The joint development carried out by Ibercompound and a leading European vehicle manufacturer has resulted in a complete technical system designed to preserve vehicle value throughout the most demanding logistics stages.
- The combination of an acrylic protective film and a dedicated removal system protects the bodywork without altering its original condition.
- This approach positions SKIN CAR as a solution aligned with the current needs of the automotive industry, combining protection, operational control, and compatibility with modern industrial processes.
The value of a vehicle is built throughout every stage of its industrial lifecycle. While design, engineering, and manufacturing define the product itself, the subsequent stages are responsible for preserving that value until final delivery. Within this process, vehicle conditioning plays a decisive role, particularly in an increasingly demanding logistics environment.
During storage and transportation, vehicles may remain exposed to open-air environments for weeks or even months. Port compounds, rail terminals, and industrial storage areas expose vehicles to atmospheric pollutants, airborne particles, and other aggressive agents that come into direct contact with painted surfaces. Prolonged exposure creates significant risks for the bodywork, with cumulative effects that compromise the vehicle’s original finish.
The automotive chemical industry has evolved to respond to this challenge, shifting its focus towards solutions capable of protecting vehicle surfaces before damage occurs. Within this context, Ibercompound has strengthened its position in the advanced vehicle conditioning sector by developing products specifically designed for the preventive protection of painted surfaces.
The result of this approach is SKIN CAR, a project developed in collaboration with Renault to protect new vehicle bodywork during the most critical stages of the logistics chain.
SKIN CAR: technical concept and functional scope
SKIN CAR is a semi-permanent bodywork protection system based on the application of a high-performance protective film. This film creates a continuous barrier over the painted surface of the vehicle, isolating it from external contaminants during extended storage or transportation periods.
The system was developed and validated through real-life testing on new Renault Group vehicles. Applications were carried out both at Ibercompound’s facilities and at logistics compounds in different environments. After several weeks of exposure, the protective films were removed to assess the condition of the paintwork and fine-tune the formulation. This process made it possible to optimise protection while preserving the vehicle’s original finish.
SKIN CAR has been designed to protect against:
- Weather conditions such as rain, humidity, and UV radiation.
- Natural contaminants including dust and airborne salt.
- Industrial contaminants such as metallic particles, soybean dust, and cement dust.
- Organic contaminants including bird droppings and tree resin.
The system can be adapted to a wide range of logistics scenarios, including manufacturer compounds, pre-shipping storage areas, rail terminals, and long-term storage facilities prior to vehicle delivery.
The SKIN CAR range and associated products
The SKIN CAR system consists of complementary products covering the entire protection and removal process.
SKIN CAR PLUS: High-performance acrylic protective film
SKIN CAR PLUS is a water-based acrylic copolymer formulated to provide long-lasting temporary protection for painted bodywork and metallic trim. Its composition creates a technical protective film with advanced mechanical and chemical properties.
Its key technical features include:
- High chemical hardness and abrasion resistance.
- Excellent stability against UV radiation, heat, and ageing.
- Resistance to humidity, salt deposits, and corrosive environments.
- Excellent adhesion to painted surfaces.
- Low adhesion to unpainted plastics.
- Low volatile organic compound (VOC) content.
The product is applied by low-pressure spraying onto previously cleaned surfaces. The film dries quickly and provides effective protection for approximately three months, depending on environmental conditions.
SKIN REMOVER: controlled and efficient removal
To complete the system, Ibercompound has developed SKIN REMOVER, a concentrated alkaline detergent specifically formulated to remove SKIN CAR protective films without affecting the vehicle’s original paintwork.
Its formulation includes a reactive additive that interacts with the coloured indicator incorporated into the protective film. This mechanism provides a visual indication of any remaining residues during the cleaning process. Application using hot water and high pressure ensures efficient removal, even on complex vehicle geometries.
Applications and operational benefits
SKIN CAR can be implemented in:
- Vehicle manufacturing plants following production.
- Storage compounds prior to sea transport.
- Rail logistics compounds.
- Long-term intermediate storage facilities.
- Rental fleets and used vehicle operations.
- Companies requiring temporary vehicle storage.
The system provides continuous protection across the entire painted surface of the vehicle. Application is uniform, visual control during removal is fully integrated into the process, and the solution can be seamlessly incorporated into existing industrial workflows.
