GM has reportedly filed a patent application for a multi-tone paint application process designed to apply multiple colours to a vehicle.

Filed with the United States Patent and Trademark office on August 7, 2023, and published on February 13, 2025, the patent specifically describes a process to apply paint to increase precision while also reducing processing time.

As noted in the patent application, in order to achieve this goal, a first paint of an initial colour would be applied to the vehicle. This would then be oven cured and closely followed by a second colour. However, the second colour would be configured to be cured by ultraviolet light instead.

The patent continues that in this set-up, the first coat of paint would be applied to a greater portion of the vehicle’s chassis as compared to the second colour of paint.

For the automaker, this process would allow the second paint colour to be applied more selectively and so, would potentially help to prevent overspray, while also reducing the need for extensive masking by removing a second round of curing.

The method could then be repeated for additional colours, with each colour added and then being cured with the same UV technique.

While there is no guarantee that this technology will ever make it to the manufacturing stage, GM sees several benefits, including the vehicle being painted not needing to be transported to a separate curing bay.

To read the full patent description, click here.