Fordite Fordite, aka Detroit Agate or Motor Agate , is pre-1985 automobile paint which has hardened sufficiently to be cut and polish. It was formed by the now extinct practice of hand spray-painting multiples of production car bodies in large automotive factories. The overspray paint in the painting bays gradually built up on the tracks and skids that the car bodies we moved on. Over time, many colorful layers were built up there. These layers were hardened repeatedly in the ovens that the car bodies went into to cure the paint. Some of these deeper layers were even baked 100 times! Eventually, the paint build-up would become obstructing, or too thick and heavy, and had to be removed. Some auto workers, entranced by the beauty of this material, took home chunks in the dinner buckets. We are proud to offer this very exotic and unique material on our pocket and table cutlery.