Issue link: https://ppgrefinish-na.uberflip.com/i/348206
4 INSIDe LINe HONORED COATING THE CAPITOL Coatings from PPG's Protective and Marine Coatings business unit (PMC) played an award- winning role in the recent renovation of the U.S. Capitol Dome. The renovation project included use of two PPG waterborne acrylic enamel coatings from Pitt-Tech ® exterior spot primer and Pitt-Tech exterior finish DTM (direct-to-metal) satin industrial enamel, which was tinted to color match the dome. Recognizing the performance of the spot primer and finish coatings, PPG's PMC business was honored as members of the restoration team that received the 2012 George Campbell Award from The Society for Protective Coatings (SSPC). The award honors outstanding achievement in the completion of a difficult or complex industrial or commercial coatings project. The U.S. Capitol Dome was originally constructed in the 1790s, and because of its unique structure, the restoration project required detailed planning and precise execution throughout multiple phases. COOL ROOFS PPG's line of environmentally progressive coatings for metal roofs and building panels are helping buildings stay cooler and save on energy consumption. Duranar ® ULTRA-Cool ® and SUPERL ® II ULTRA-Cool coatings, for example, are formulated with proprietary infrared- reflective pigments that deflect solar energy away from buildings. Duranar VARI-Cool™ coatings for metal building panels feature special pigments that shift color according to ambient lighting conditions and the angle from which they are viewed. Both coatings comply with the ENERGY STAR ® reflectance limits for steep-slope or low-slope roofing products. PPG has registered more than 250 ULTRA-Cool coatings colors with the Cool Roof Rating Council. 4 looK to WAtERBoRNE FoR CoNtiNuous iNNoVAtioN As air quality regulations continue to tighten across North America and collision shops increasingly make the transition from solvent to waterborne basecoat, it is readily apparent that this environmentally-progressive technology represents the wave of the future. Does this mean solvent systems will go away completely? Probably not. At PPG, we are committed to advancing our solvent technologies for as long as there is a customer base to support. But given that three-quarters of OEM finishes are waterborne basecoat and the fact that it's overwhelmingly the dominant basecoat in use at collision centers in Europe and Canada, it makes perfect sense that a major focus of our R&D is directed toward advancing waterborne refinish systems. Many innovations have already made their way into the marketplace, like PPG's anti-settle waterborne toner technology that eliminates the need for a mechanical mixing machine altogether and provides more consistent color. The waterborne "speed system" article on page eight further underscores PPG's commitment to continuous innovation. The point is, the decision on whether to switch to waterborne should not be made strictly on its merits as an environmental solution. When measured against all the key factors—color match, throughput, ease of use, consistency, etc.—you can expect PPG's waterborne systems to continue to surpass older technologies and raise the bar for performance in the coming years. randy cremeans Marketing Director, Collision Segment, USCA