Green cars are the most affected by paint damage compared to any other color and Nissan has found a way to counter it

We’ve all seen cars left sitting in the sun with faded, peeling paint, but according to Nissan, it turns out green cars have always had a tougher time than the rest.

The brand says that green automotive paint has historically been more vulnerable to sun damage, prompting its engineers to rethink how the iconic shade is created.

The result is Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic, a new color for the 2027 Nissan Z that uses an innovative blend of pigments designed to improve long-term durability.

The clever solution could help preserve the finish for years while still delivering the deep green color enthusiasts love.

Nissan found a clever way to stop green cars fading

Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic isn’t just a new paint option for the 2027 Z car.

According to the brand, it’s the result of engineering aimed at solving a long-standing issue with green cars.

“We’ve all seen cars with peeling paint from exposure to the elements and sitting in the sun,” Eric Ruble, Senior Specialist of Product Communications at Nissan explained.

“Rather than using traditional green pigments that can degrade in sunlight, a blend of weather-resistant yellow and blue delivers the same rich green look with enhanced long-term durability.”

Ryoka Suzuki, a member of the Paint and Anti-Corrosion Engineering team at the manufacturer, told Supercar Blondie the project began because the company wanted to pay tribute to one of the Z’s most iconic colors.

“The 2027 Z was carefully updated to include references to previous-generation Z cars,” Suzuki said.

“Accordingly, we wanted to introduce a new green that references Grand Prix Green on the original S30 while maintaining excellent durability.”

Suzuki explained that traditional green cars are especially vulnerable because ‘green paints are activated by sunlight and can cause delamination of the clear coat to the base coat’, resulting in peeling and deterioration.

Instead, the brand developed a precise blend of blue and yellow pigments that creates the same deep green appearance without the same delamination issues.

This isn’t the first time the brand has developed an impressive paint solution to a modern problem.

The technology could be used again

Suzuki explained that sunlight gradually damages paint because ‘chlorine and bromine atoms in the paint react under light exposure’, weakening the bond between the clear coat and base coat over time.

When asked if the same technology could be applied to other colors, Suzuki said: “Absolutely, we are always exploring ways to make our products even more durable without sacrificing design.”

For Suzuki, the project successfully combined engineering with the brand’s iconic heritage.

“Shinkai Green Pearl Metallic is a beautiful combination of art and engineering,” she said.

“I’m proud that we were able to deliver a modern interpretation of an iconic color while maintaining the durability Nissan owners expect. I can’t wait to see it on the road.”