Trash to Treasure: The Unexpected Art of Car Paint

https://www.ihadnoclue.com/article/1065901801174761473

Fordite, also known as Detroit Agate, is a unique material that has evolved from industrial waste to a sought-after component for jewelry and art. Originating from the automotive industry in the United States, Fordite was formed through overspray from the spray-painting of car bodies from the 1940s through the 1980s. The overspray accumulated, forming hard, multi-colored layers baked in high-temperature ovens to cure the paint. With the advent of automated painting processes and more efficient spray techniques, the conditions that created Fordite were eliminated, turning it into a finite resource and a relic of a particular manufacturing era. Despite being composed primarily of acrylic, lacquer, and enamel automotive paints, Fordite can be cut, shaped, and polished like natural stone, making it a popular choice for jewelry. Fordite has historical significance and aesthetic beauty, representing the evolution of the automotive industry and American manufacturing. As supplies dwindle, it continues to appreciate, transforming from industrial waste to a collectible artifact.