Ford was the first automaker to implement the 3-Wet high-solids solvent-borne technology in 2007; it now has eight plants in North America, Asia Pacific and Europe equipped to use the process to paint vehicles.

High-solids solvent-borne technology refers to a paint formulated to minimize solvents, resulting in a concentrated pigment and resin mixture with fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released. The technology will be in place in 12 plants in 2013 then expand to additional facilities worldwide over the next four years.

The 3-Wet process derives its name from three layers of paint applied one after the other prior to earlier coats having cured. The process eliminates stand-alone primer application and a dedicated oven required in the conventional process that was used before. Advanced chemical composition of 3-Wet paint materials allows for the three layers of paint—primer, base coat and clear coat—to be applied while each layer is still wet.

Enabling the 3-Wet high-solids solvent-borne paint formulation technology is a combination of process and product developed by Ford and its suppliers. Together, they have created a system that saves 20-25% of process time. Due to the eliminated stand-alone primer application and dedicated oven—both reducing the paint booth size—Ford saves electricity from the blowers that circulate massive volumes of air through paint booths, and reduces its use of natural gas needed to heat the air and ovens. This results in significant reductions of CO₂ emissions, as well as reductions in VOC compared to current medium-solids and solvent-borne paints.

Locations where Ford is installing the 3-Wet process in 2013:

• Flat Rock Assembly Plant, Flat Rock, Mich.
• Kansas City Assembly Plant, Claycomo, Mo.
• Jiangling Motors Co. Ltd., Jiangxi/Nanchang, China
• Valencia Assembly Plant, Valencia, Spain

Locations with 3-Wet capability in North America include Ohio Assembly Plant, Avon Lake, Ohio; Cuautitlán Assembly Plant, Cuautitlán, Mexico; Michigan Assembly Plant, Wayne, Mich.; and Louisville Assembly Plant, Louisville, Ky.

Locations with 3-Wet capability in Asia Pacific include Chennai Assembly, Tamil Nadu, India; CAF 2, Chongqing, China; and Ford Thailand Manufacturing, Rayong, Thailand.

The only current location with 3-Wet capability in Europe is Craiova Assembly Plant, Craiova, Romania.