The first layer of paint or coating applied to a surface, which provides a base for subsequent finishing layers.
From base + coat (a layer covering). This modern compound emerged in the 20th century as industrial painting and automotive finishing techniques became standardized, requiring specific terminology for different application stages.
In car manufacturing, the basecoat is where the actual color sits—the clear coat over it is what makes the paint shine and last, which is why a scratch through both layers reveals the primer underneath, exposing the whole sandwich of your paint job.
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