A process for the production of a dark-color multi-layer coating, comprising the successive steps:(1) applying an NIR-opaque coating layer A′ from a solventborne coating composition A to a substrate,(2) applying a coating layer B′ from a solventborne coating composition B onto the substrate provided with coating layer A′,(3) subjecting the coated substrate obtained in step (2) to a drying step,(4) applying a clear coat layer, and(5) curing the coating layers simultaneously;wherein both coating compositions A and B comprise binders and crosslinkers comprising melamine-formaldehyde resin crosslinker,wherein both coating compositions A and B comprise certain proportions of cellulose ester binder and NAD binder and/or sheet silicate and/or fumed silica and/or urea SCA and/or polyolefine wax,wherein the pigment content of coating composition A comprises