There's a new painting method, called Pixelpaint, which could signal a radical shift in how cars are customized and painted, potentially slashing waste, saving energy, and opening up a world of creative design possibilities. It has already been deployed at the Mercedes-Benz Sindelfingen plant on the Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series as the first model to receive exclusive and individual paint finishes enabled by PixelPaint, printing the many Maybach logos with a high-tech inkjet-style printer.
From Spray Guns to Print Heads
Forget what you know about automotive paint booths. The Pixelpaint process borrows technology from your home office: it uses a precision print head with over 1,000 nozzles, each capable of depositing paint droplets as small as 20 microns (that’s about half the width of a human hair). The system delivers ultra-fine detail at a resolution of 360 DPI, spraying roughly 1,000 droplets per second. Printing a full-color image on a car’s surface takes just 15 minutes.
This isn’t just a concept — the technology, developed by the Swedish-Swiss engineering group ABB and already in use by manufacturers like Mahindra, SAIC-Volkswagen, and Mercedes to take vehicle customization to the next level.
Smarter Painting, Less Waste
One of the major inefficiencies in conventional auto painting is overspray, when more paint ends up in filters and exhaust hoods than on the actual car. Pixelpaint, by contrast, applies color with pinpoint accuracy, resulting in up to 98% efficiency, according to ABB.
And because the printed paint doesn’t require the same high-temperature ovens to dry, it significantly cuts down on energy consumption. In an era where manufacturers are under pressure to reduce emissions and streamline production, this is more than a technical gimmick, it’s a smart business move.
A New Canvas for Customization
Traditionally, two-tone paint jobs, (like a contrasting black roof) require multiple rounds of masking, spraying, and drying, costing time, labor, and materials. Pixelpaint eliminates most of those steps. Need a contrasting roof or custom pinstripes? No problem. The system can apply them directly, even integrating graphics, logos, or full-scale artworks under the clear coat for a seamless finish.
Luxury brands are especially excited. For ultra-premium customers demanding unique designs like personal logos or complete custom designs, this technology could become the ultimate personalization tool. Instead of vinyl wraps or hand painting, bespoke finishes can now be printed directly onto the car’s bodywork with digital precision.
Handcrafted Meets High-Tech
Despite its high level of automation, it's not 100% perfect. Mercedes still adds a touch of handcraftsmanship. After applying the base coat and two of the three clear coats, the surface is hand-sanded for a flawless result. It’s a blend of old-world quality and next-generation tech.
What’s Next?
While Pixelpaint is currently aimed at the luxury and bespoke market, its potential for broader use is significant. The reduction in paint waste, energy use, and production time could make it appealing even to mainstream manufacturers, if the costs come down.
So, will every car in the future be “printed”? Maybe not yet. But Mercedes-Maybach's bold experiment hints at a shift in how we think about automotive aesthetics, one that combines engineering precision with artistic freedom.
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