Our History

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes

We have a rich history in refinishing, dating all the way back to the late 1800s when we were among the first to bring coatings to markets specific to transportation.

It was in 1894 when a paste-based product was introduced by Q.D. Coach Colors—Q.D. as in "quick drying". Primers, fillers, colors, gear paint and varnishes quickly followed and by the mid-1950s, we combined the speed of a lacquer system with the characteristics of an enamel finish resulting in the industry’s first acrylic enamel.

By 1970, there were 50 Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes service centers in the U.S. And today, we remain dedicated to meeting our customers' day-to-day needs through a network of more than 180 store locations—providing unparalleled customer service and support.

Our commitment to our customers is recognized around the world as is our ongoing dedication to technology and solutions. We are focused on elevating the industry and our customers' businesses with everything from high-performance color systems to applications addressing in-process quality and inventory management.

That's our promise to our customers. That's our promise to you.

The History of Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes

Our rich history in automotive refinishing dates back to 1894, when we brought our first automotive coating to market.

We were among the first to bring coatings to markets specific to transportation. A commitment to consistent innovation and the development of high-performance products has been a driving force ever since

1866

Sherwin-Williams is Founded

Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams

Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams found Sherwin-Williams in Cleveland, Ohio

1894

First Automotive Coating from Sherwin-Williams

Sherwin-Williams introduces a quick-drying paste-based product under Q.D. Coach Colors, laying the foundation for a full suite of automotive coatings to come.

1928

Sherwin-Williams Introduces the First Synthetic Aviation Coating

Sherwin-Williams introduces the first synthetic aviation coatings, used on some of the most historic flights of the 20th century, including Charles Lindbergh’s first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean.

1950s

Sherwin-Williams Introduces the Industry’s First Acrylic Enamel

Sherwin-Williams introduces the industry’s first acrylic enamel by combining the speed of a lacquer system with the characteristics of an enamel finish.

1959

Sherwin-Williams Introduces the Kem Colormeter Mixing Machine

Sherwin-Williams introduces the Kem Colormeter Mixing Machine, giving customers the opportunity to customize paint colors.

1963

Sherwin-Williams Introduces Acrylyd®

Sherwin-Williams introduces Acrylyd®, an automotive finish resistant to chips and scratches.

2017

Sherwin-Williams Acquires Valspar

Sherwin-Williams acquires Valspar, the largest acquisition in the Company’s history.

2018

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Introduces Ultra 9K®

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes introduces the Ultra 9K® Waterborne Basecoat System, helping shops dramatically increase volume.

2022

Sherwin-Williams Introduces Collision Core™

Sherwin-Williams introduces Collision Core™, a suite of fully integrated, cloud-based digital solutions designed to optimize collision repair center operations by connecting data across various business functions, including inventory, production, quality control and color matching.

2023

Official Team Partner

Sherwin-Williams Becomes the Official Team Partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team

As an Official Team Partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, Sherwin-Williams becomes the approved supplier of automotive paint and coatings for the team.