Deltron® System

Clearcoat Selection Guide Based on PPG DELTRON ® Clearcoats AIR DRY/EXPRESS SPEED PRODUCTION/GENERAL PURPOSE GLAMOUR Quick flash times 3-5 min flash time 5-10 min flash Long flash times—10-15 min or more 30 min air dry 90 min air dry 4 hr air dry Overnight dry Quick to buff Short/Low bake option Bake most common Best suited for bake Spot—1 panel 1-3 panels Multi-panel jobs Large jobs/Completes "Must go!" Same day turnaround Fastest throughput/Most popular All-purpose/Everyday clear Superior gloss/High temp & humidity Choosing the Right Clear for the Job Clearcoat offerings can be divided into four major categories, primarily based on their speed of application: Air Dry Express, Speed, Production and Glamour. The number of panels to be repaired is a prime factor in considering which clearcoat to use, with heat and humidity of the operating environment also a key consideration. SIZE OF REPAIR The number of panels to be repaired should be the first consideration. If performing a spot, or one panel, repair, such as a bumper cover, an air dry, "express" clear is a good choice. This clearcoat is especially ideal when the job needs a fast one-day turnaround. Now let's say the repair includes a bumper cover plus one panel or three panels. Here a "speed" clear can be a good choice. Its 3-5 minute flash time will open up the application window wide enough to apply two coats of clear. Some collision centers prefer a general purpose "production" clear to handle all types of repairs. This type of clearcoat offers adequate flash times to handle most multi-panel repairs. A "glamour" clearcoat is the fourth option and the right choice for large jobs or completes. EQUIPMENT Clearcoat choices become more limited if a paint booth lacks bake capability. The longer air dry times of production and glamour clears would significantly limit paint shop throughput, so express and speed clears offer the best options. A glamour-type clear is still recommended for large or overalls but would require an overnight dry. THE ENVIRONMENT Every clearcoat has a prescribed flash time, air dry and bake standard that's generally based on an operating environment of 70°F at 50% humidity. Conditions exceeding these temperature and humidity levels require the use of a clear with an extended application window. It's a situation that's especially common in the southern areas of the United States. For example, let's say the job is a three-panel repair and the temperature has risen to 90°F and a humidity of 70-80%. Normally a speed clear would be the choice for this repair. But in this situation, a production or glamour clear, with their longer flash times, would be the recommended solution. WARRANTY REPAIRS Many OEMs are recommending approved refinish systems and procedures for warranty repairs. One procedure to pay particular attention to is the requirement to apply clearcoat from panel edge to panel edge. Blending or fading out the edge of the clearcoat is not permitted. In situations where there is no panel break line, one might have to apply clearcoat to the quarter panel, roof and opposite quarter to reach the final panel edge. Paint manufacturers also have standards to meet for warranty requirements. As an example, two coats of clear applied edge to edge with a film build of 2 mils after buffing is required to maintain PPG's Lifetime Limited Paint Performance Guarantee for its premium clearcoats. FINAL APPEARANCE Some factory finishes have a higher degree of texture or orange peel than others, e.g., luxury vehicles tend to have smoother, glossier finishes. So matching texture is another factor in choosing a clearcoat. In general, a glamour or slower-drying clear will flow more after being applied and provide less orange peel than a speed or express clear. So getting the surface wet enough and controlling the texture is key to achieving good appearance and texture.

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