For car enthusiasts, the Mazda Miata is more than just a sports car. It’s an icon that is beloved by so many motorheads. Since it was first introduced in 1989, the original Miata quickly became a cult classic, thanks to its lightweight construction, balanced handling, and minimalist design. But as these classic cars age, preserving their original paint specifications can be both a challenge and a passion, especially with the single-stage cellulose paint used on earlier models and its specific colors such as the classic red, the mariner blue, and the crystal white. This is where Mazda Miata paint protection becomes essential and where Permagard can make a difference. Permagard offers a unique advantage to classic car owners who want to keep their vehicles looking better than brand new with glossy, rich, and factory-original paint, without compromising authenticity.
What is Single-Stage Paint, and Why is it Delicate?
Unlike modern base coat/clear coat paint systems which are applied separately from each other, single-stage paint systems combine color and gloss into one single layer. Single-stage paint systems are simpler in theory, but far more vulnerable in use. Single-stage finishes are more prone to fading and oxidation, and environmental damage over time. While these single-stage systems are technically thicker than modern paint systems (that use one base coat and one clear coat), that is only due to the color and gloss being combined into one single coat. Single-state paint systems and modern paint systems virtually have the same overall paint thickness at their factory specifications. Saying that, due to the way single-stage paint systems were designed, they are more sensitive to aggressive polishing techniques and compounds that are often suited for modern paint systems. When applied to a single-stage finish, like the one found on many early Mazda Miatas, Permagard offers a non-invasive, non-abrasive protection system that enhances and preserves the original paint specifications, without the need for polishing or compounding ever again.
How Permagard Works
Permagard’s technology originated in the aviation industry, where standards are extraordinarily high. They are absolute requirements for safety, regulations, and manufacturing processes. Permagard’s coating bonds to the paint at a molecular level, creating a high-gloss, durable sacrificial layer that shields the treated surfaces from environmental contaminants such as harsh UV rays, bird droppings, salt, acid rain, and industrial fallout. Instead of “cutting” or removing paint material, like a compound would, Permagard revitalizes the finish by filling in micro-scratches and penetrating the pores of the painted surfaces, enhancing color depth, which is especially important for aging red paints as they are notorious for fading.
Ceramic coatings require paint correction with the use of a compound agent in order for the coating to the applied. And when you have single-state paint that is thirty, forty, or fifty years old, it’s already been exposed to the elements for decades. Therefore, the paint is not at 100% thickness of its original factory specifications. So, applying a compound agent with an aggressive cutting pad and rotary polisher before applying a ceramic coating can have major consequences for the single-stage paint’s overall thickness. This is why Permagard is a much better and safer option for single-stage classic paint systems as Permagard has never required paint correction for it be properly applied to any painted surface.
The Results on a Classic Miata
Here at Permagard HQ, we have in our possession a classic Mazda Miata of our very own. It was treated with Permagard some time ago, and the bright red original factory paint on it still looks immaculate. Most importantly, the Permagard coating locked in this beautiful paint’s gloss and shine, while simultaneously protecting it against future oxidation and fading. The Miata’s signature red was a popular color in the early 1990s, but it is quite prone to oxidation and fading, otherwise known as “chalkiness.” Permagard’s strong UV ray resistance properties act like a permanent sunscreen for the protected surfaces, helping the paint maintain its rich red hue for many years to come.
Permagard and Mazda: A Trusted Relationship
Permagard’s success in the automotive industry didn’t happen overnight. We have developed strong business relationships with major automotive manufacturers for over 26 years, including a longstanding relationship with Mazda. In our partnership between Permagard Automotive Australia and Mazda Australia, Permagard is offered as the official paint protection option on brand new Mazda vehicles at dealerships all across Australia. This collaboration is part of the Mazda Premium Car Care program, which provides customers with high-quality Permagard products applied by expert technicians, ensuring their vehicles maintain a lasting shine and protection against environmental factors. This partnership speaks perfectly to Mazda’s confidence in Permagard’s ability to uphold their brand’s high standards for durability and presentation, whether it’s a brand-new Mazda3 or a classic, garage-kept Miata. For owners of vintage Mazdas, this relationship provides peace of mind that Permagard isn’t just any product. It’s Mazda-approved.
Preserving the Past, the Right Way
Classic Miatas have always been fan favorites for car enthusiasts. By maintaining and protecting the original factory paint specifications, you are protecting a key piece of Mazda’s terrific history. With Permagard’s aviation-grade protective technology, OEM approval and business relationship with Mazda, and a paint-friendly application that protects as much paint thickness as possible, Permagard offers the safest and most effective way to protect single-stage paint finishes without altering or damaging their original appearance. For anyone looking to preserve the spirit and shine of their classic Mazda Miata, Permagard isn’t just a protective coating. It’s a commitment to preservation, precision, and passion.
If you would like to learn more about how Permagard can protect your Mazda, contact us today at info@permagard.com or call our Permagard Headquarters office today at (305) 662-5070, Monday thru Friday from 9 AM – 6 PM, for more information.
