Mazda told a fascinating story about how its Japanese team figured out how to realize the vision of the soul red crystal paint of creative design expert Keiichi Okamoto, who was one of the first behind the scenes of soul red and machine gray metallic paint.

Although the account applies to Mazda's practices in the factory, after-sales refinishers may still appreciate the science and creativity behind the new color development process, as well as some details about the production of its relatively new sister Advanced Coating Machine Gray.

In addition, Mazda has found out how to make a smooth-looking paint color. It can be mass-produced and sold as an option for only US$300 (machine gray) and US$595 (soul red crystal), which shows the mass market OEM Competitors can try to use Mazda as an example to paint their own models. This may translate into more complex repairs in the collision industry. (For example, the soul red crystal has a four-stage dressing process.)

"I want to create the most beautiful red in the world," Okamoto said in a statement. "A color that people feel from the heart is beautiful and will immediately attract their attention. CX-5 represents the evolution of the concept of "less is more" that does not rely on character lines. This requires a new red. To perfectly highlight the exquisite transition of the body surface."

He said he was looking for a color "translucent red like ruby ​​or red glass".

Paint system expert Takaka Yamane — Mazda says he is "the foundation for the realization of a three-layer wet paint system" and Mazda's Aqua-tech system — need to figure out how to actually make any color in Okamoto's brain.

"In order to achieve the highly translucent red that Okamoto envisioned, I think we must first convert the ideal red to a value based on ergonomics," Yamane said in a statement. "This allows us to measure how people perceive color and light, and provides us with goals that the team can strive to achieve."

Yamane obtained precision measuring equipment-initially to study planets from satellites-and began to measure "red objects at the same position, same position and angle as Okamoto's eyes, and analyze the relationship between the spectrum of light and what Okamoto sees." "Look at and his reaction to it, and convert the red data they should aim at into numerical values. "

Yamane's team also discovered that the blue tones that most people see when they see red are actually just an illusion-the measuring device shows that there is no real blue pigment in the red under study.

“Instead, the team found that if other colors were mixed with red, people would think they were muddy,” Mazda wrote. “Therefore, testing and analysis led the team to conclude that achieving its goal is not a matter of obtaining the ideal image and mixing colors to achieve it. Instead, the key is to strive to achieve as pure red as possible.”

They handed their "ideal color" to paint technologist Koji Teramoto, who had to figure out how to use Mazda's Aqua-tech system to spray the paint in three layers.

Machine Gray has a black layer below the reflective layer on which high-brightness aluminum sheets are arranged. Let the dark paint below show through the gaps between the aluminum sheets, creating a shiny metallic look and accentuating the contrast in the shadows. Similarly, a translucent red layer on top of the black and reflective layers can create a deep and shiny bright red. But this requires four layers, including a transparent top layer, and needs to be passed down the paint line twice.

Mazda said that the team refused to add a fourth layer, which would not be environmentally friendly.

"I told myself that we can't compromise on this matter, and sticking to this will generate a new idea," Teramoto said.

Instead, Teramoto and his team combined light-absorbing flakes with high-brightness aluminum flakes-knocking out both in a layer of paint. Mazda controls the two sets of flakes to ensure that they do not touch when spraying paint at the factory.

He said in a statement: "The smallest particle that the human eye can perceive from a distance of about 30 cm is about 25 microns." "We tried to make the flakes less noticeable by using flakes of 12 to 15 microns."

Mazda says that all flakes have a uniform size.

According to Mazda, the depth of this color is 50% higher and the saturation is 20% higher than the original soul red.

Soul Red Crystal followed Mazda's 2016 release of Machine Grey, and Machine Gray first appeared on the next-generation CX-9 and was seen on the MX-5 “Miata” RF below. According to Mazda, this color makes the vehicle "look like it was carved from a steel ingot."

Mazda wrote that "perfect, flawless panels are a necessity", and color (which may also be a consideration in the aftermarket) describes "ultra-precision stamping and assembly."

Like the soul red crystal, Mazda figured out how to apply machine ash in a three-step process. (Mazda pointed out that this does not include its "electrodeposited layer", which may be a reference to the e-coat primer.)

The reflective layer consists of extremely thin, high-brightness aluminum flakes, which must be applied very precisely to ensure a uniform coating. During the drying process, the thickness of this layer shrinks to about 2.5 microns, which is about a quarter of the thickness of most reflective layers. This causes the aluminum sheets to lie flat, with regular spacing between each sheet, as if the layer was hand-painted by a skilled craftsman. This high-density finish makes the entire surface shiny when illuminated and presents a realistic metallic appearance. Black pigment is used in the reflective layer and the color layer, visible through the space between the aluminum flakes, making the unlit area appear black and improving the contrast between light and shadow.

"Facing the challenge of creating an instinctively beautiful color"

"The brand new CX-5 will dazzle you"

"Mazda has developed a new body color soul red crystal, symbolizing KODO design"

"Mazda MX-5 RF features the advanced color of machine gray, designed to complement the KODO design"

"The new Mazda CX-9 three-row crossover unveiled at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show"

Koji Teramoto, a paint technology expert, had to figure out how to use Mazda's Aqua-tech system to spray three layers of "Soul Red Crystal" paint. (Provided by Mazda)

Painters will encounter Mazda’s stunning but possibly more complex "Soul Red Crystal" color, which debuted on the 2017 CX-5 in March 2017. (Provided by Mazda)

Mazda described the extensive development process for its new "Soul Red Crystal" color. (Provided by Mazda)

Mazda showcased the factory-level composition of its "Soul Red Crystal" paint for the 2017 Mazda CX-5. (Provided by Mazda)

Mazda's machine gray can be used for MX-5 RF. (Provided by Mazda)

Shows the gray factory-level composition of Mazda machines. (Provided by Mazda)

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