What Is Elastomeric Coating?
Elastomeric coating is a type of protective finish made from elastic polymers that allow it to stretch and return to its original shape without cracking. Unlike ordinary paints, elastomeric coatings bond molecularly to a variety of surfaces, even when they expand or contract.
In automotive applications, elastomeric coating is a game-changer. Vehicle interiors, especially seats, dashboards, and door panels, are exposed to constant movement, temperature swings, and UV exposure. Conventional paints cannot handle these stresses. Elastomeric formulas allow the coating to bond on a molecular level while flexing with the material underneath, ensuring a long-lasting, factory-fresh appearance.
ColorBond LVP OE is an elastomeric coating that resists cracking, peeling, and fading while maintaining a uniform finish that matches OEM colors precisely. This gives you a surface that looks professionally restored and stands up to the daily wear of driving, sunlight, and repeated use.
How Elastomeric Coating Works on Vehicle Interiors
Automotive interiors rely heavily on leather, vinyl, and plastic for their comfort, durability, and appearance. However, these materials endure constant motion, expand and contract with temperature changes, and flex with everyday use. Over time, that movement creates stress that can cause traditional paints to crack, peel, or chip.
Elastomeric coatings are designed to handle that wear and tear. Made with elastic polymers, they stretch and move with the surface instead of breaking apart. A thin coat is all it takes. Elastomeric finishes stretch and move with your interior, so the color lasts, the surface stays protected, and your interior looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor.
Benefits of Elastomeric Coating for Automotive Interiors
Elastomeric coating is the gold standard for restoring, repairing, and customizing automotive interiors. Its unique properties provide significant benefits to anyone looking to protect or enhance their vehicle’s interior, including:
Flexibility That Lasts
Seats, dashboards, armrests, and other touchpoints are constantly in motion. Each time you sit down, adjust your position, or shift in the seat, you’re creating flex points in the material. Elastomeric coatings stretch with these movements instead of resisting them, which prevents the micro-cracks that often start the deterioration process in traditional coatings.
Crack and Peel Resistance
Once a rigid coating begins to crack, it doesn’t take long for peeling and chipping to follow. Elastomeric coatings prevent this by flexing with the material beneath them. That’s critical in high-use areas like door handles, steering wheels, and center consoles, where everyday contact can destroy an ordinary paint finish.
OEM-Match Finish
ColorBond elastomeric coatings are matched precisely to OEM colors, ensuring that repaired or refreshed components blend seamlessly with the rest of the interior.
UV and Fade Resistance
Interiors spend countless hours under direct sunlight, and UV radiation can be brutal on colors and finishes. Elastomeric coatings are formulated to resist fading, chalking, and discoloration, so your chosen color stays vibrant over time.
Wide Range of Colors
Whether you want to restore a worn interior to its original shade, match new components to the existing color, or completely transform the look with bold, non-standard hues, elastomeric coatings deliver.
Common Automotive Applications
One of the strengths of elastomeric coatings is their versatility. They’re not limited to one type of component or even one type of vehicle. In fact, nearly every interior surface made from leather, vinyl, or plastic can benefit from their protective and aesthetic properties.
- Leather and vinyl seats: Over time, seats can fade, crack, or lose their original luster. An elastomeric coating can restore color, repair surface imperfections, and add years of functional life without the expense of reupholstery.
- Dashboards: Sun damage and age can cause dashboards to dry out, fade, or crack. Elastomeric coatings rejuvenate the surface and create a protective barrier against further damage.
- Door panels: These high-contact areas are prone to scuffs and wear. An elastomeric coating refreshes their appearance and restores a consistent color and texture.
- Consoles and trim pieces: From cup holder surrounds to gear shift bezels, these parts can be refinished to match or contrast with the rest of the interior, offering both restoration and customization possibilities.
- Steering wheels: As one of the most touched parts of a vehicle, the steering wheel demands a coating that can withstand constant handling. Elastomeric coatings maintain their flexibility and grip without cracking or peeling.
Elastomeric coatings aren’t just for cars. They work just as well on motorcycle seats, RV interiors, and even boats: anywhere surfaces get hit with sun, movement, and shifting temperatures that would normally wreck a standard finish.
Get Started with ColorBond Today
If you’re repairing, refreshing, or customizing your vehicle’s leather, vinyl, or plastic surfaces, ColorBond LVP OE offers a quick, cost-effective, and long-lasting elastomeric coating solution. Application is straightforward, the finish is consistent, and the durability stands up to daily use.
Start your next interior project today and enjoy a finish that looks great and lasts for years.
