FEATURE
distribution centers in western Canada,"
explains Skip Cochran, TICO production
manager. "In addition to the fast-paced,
bump-and-grind abuse they take on
a daily basis, our tractors face harsh,
corrosive exposures such as road salt and
calcium chloride, extreme temperature
fluctuations and salt-enriched ocean air."
To arrive at a superior coating that
would exceed their expectations with
respect to corrosion protection and
appearance, TICO put a number of paint
systems to the test. This involved working
closely with Jeff Deas, PPG commercial
territory manager, as well as Brian
Wilkerson, sales representative and Jeff
Balavender, technical representative, from
Automotive Paint & Equipment (APE), a
PPG Platinum Distributor.
"TICO was not entirely happy with the
performance of their previous coating
system," explains Wilkerson. "So they
brought us in, and we spent nearly a
year evaluating different primer/topcoat
combinations. We focused specifically on
salt spray corrosion and ultraviolet light
testing. It was a very thorough process,
but in the end it definitely paid off."
Based on exceptional test results, TICO
selected a PPG commercial paint system
consisting of an anti-corrosion, zinc-rich
epoxy primer and a fade-resistant, direct-
to-metal (DTM) acrylic polyurethane
topcoat. "We now have a system that
provides a durable finish with tremendous
corrosion prevention that can withstand
even our most extreme operating
conditions," says Cochran.
A LEADING MANUFACTURER OF
TRANSPORT TRACTORS LOOKS TO PPG
FOR TOUGH, DURABLE COATINGS
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