John McQuillan , Senior Write, Group-eX agency 10.26.22
The commercial transports that traverse our highways are essentially rolling billboards that can reflect a positive or negative corporate image – depending on how well or how poorly they’re maintained. This presents a difficult challenge for many trucking fleets, who face an uphill battle protecting their vehicles’ finish from road salt, deicing chemicals, gravel and sunlight.
A solution that’s gaining momentum across the commercial vehicle spectrum is a relatively new clearcoat offering from PPG Commercial Performance Coatings. PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 VOC Clearcoat is formulated to create a protective, high gloss polyurethane finish with exceptional durability and protection from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays in a one-coat application.
With the addition of this 2.1 low VOC clearcoat, PPG can now offer targeted customers a complete, low-VOC system that includes a corrosion-resistant epoxy primer and 2.8 VOC direct-gloss colors. This system can be especially beneficial to those paint operations that are limited by a VOC emissions cap, since it can allow them to spray more product and increase their total output.
“Our customers appreciate how this clearcoat can enhance the long-term durability and appearance of their assets,” said Michael Cooney, PPG product manager, industrial segments, commercial coatings, automotive refinish. “Painters will appreciate how easy the product is to apply, along with its excellent adhesion, film build and sag resistance.”
One such customer is Vertex Resource Group Ltd., a leading North American provider of environmental services. Headquartered in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, the 60-year-old company mainly serves the fluid transport needs of the oil and gas industry.
Recently, the company purchased approximately 100 previously owned trucks and “super B-train” tank trailers to be used for transporting liquid propane throughout the province of Ontario. A common site on Canadian highways, these massive haulers feature twin trailers that measure up to 85-feet in combined length.
The arrival of these newly acquired transporters represented a herculean task for Vertex’ in-house paint crew. For starters, the trailers needed to be converted from their original silver color to a shade of white used by Vertex. Given that the majority of the trailers showed signs of corrosion damage, the decision was made to sandblast the entire lot to bare metal.
“We take pride in making sure our vehicles look like they just rolled out of the factory,” said Robert McWhirter, industrial paint technician for Vertex. “But it’s not always easy when you consider the environment they operate within and the exposures they’re up against. The decision was made early on to start fresh with a bare metal substrate, and then apply a durable coating designed to withstand what I consider are some of the harshest operating conditions on the planet.”
McWhirter’s first move was to contact Garnet Dunstan, a sales and technical support representative with Auto Electric Service, Ltd., a PPG Platinum Distributor. A commercial coatings veteran with over 20 years of industry experience, Dunstan knew all too well the type of coating system Vertex needed. Protection from salt spray, flying gravel and extreme fluctuations in temperature (over 105°F in summer, below -58°F in winter) were essential, but nothing ranked higher than UV protection.
“People living in Canada or northern regions of the United States know exactly what I’m referring to when I say, ‘blue sky sunlight,’” said Dunstan. “It’s a brilliant, crystal clear form of sunlight that, while beautiful, can be very damaging to painted services that lack proper UV protection.”
Taking everything into consideration, Dunstan recommended PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 VOC Clearcoat as part of a premium coating system that includes PPG CRE-X21 series epoxy primer and PPG AUE-370 polyurethane topcoat.
“These are all durable, hardworking products when it comes to protecting a finish from the elements,” explained Dunstan. “But for me, the AUE-20 clearcoat takes it to another level. Keep in mind that super-B trailers adorned with the Vertex logo are all white. The goal is to prevent them from “yellowing” as a result of UV light exposure. And UV resistance is one of several great qualities this clearcoat brings to the table.”
Robert McWhirter was on board with Dunstan’s recommendation right from the start. But he had one additional request. “The surface area of our trailers is immense,” said McWhirter. “I use a scissor lift to go from one section to the next. When temperatures are on the warm side, it can be difficult to create a smooth, seamless flow because the paint dries too fast.”
McWhirter needed a reducer to help his coating “stay open” as he made his way around a trailer. The solution came in the form of PPG Q99/01 High Temperature/High Pressure Reducer. Specifically formulated for use with PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 Clearcoat, the newly released reducer helps painters apply a smooth, even finish without sagging or running—especially when application temperatures are high or when high-pressure equipment is used.
PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 VOC Clearcoat
By rounding out his paint system with PPG Q99/01 High Temperature/High Pressure Reducer, McWhirter, with the help of Auto Electric Service, put together a premium coating solution tailored to the needs of his fleet.
“I can’t say enough great things about the PPG system that I’m using,” said McWhirter. “All the products seem to complement each other. For example, the CRE epoxy primer goes down real smooth, setting the stage for the AUE-370 topcoat and AUE-20 clearcoat. If applied properly, these two products will mimic the smoothness of the primer.”
The finished product is a tough, highly protective coating that exceeded McWhirter’s expectations. “I knew the system would deliver with respect to durability and UV protection. What I didn’t expect is the deep, high gloss appearance that AUE-20 added to the mix. I’m not joking when I say these trailers roll out of my paint booth looking like a sports car. For a fleet of super-B trains that haul liquid propane, what more can you ask for?”
PPG AUE-370 Polyurethane Topcoat Application
For more information about PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 VOC Clearcoat, Q99/01 High Temperature/High Pressure Reducer and other PPG Commercial Performance Coatings, visit www.ppgcommercialcoatings.com or call 800-647-6050.
About the Author
John McQuillan is a senior writer for the Group-eX agency and has been covering the commercial transport industry for more than 20 years.
A solution that’s gaining momentum across the commercial vehicle spectrum is a relatively new clearcoat offering from PPG Commercial Performance Coatings. PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 VOC Clearcoat is formulated to create a protective, high gloss polyurethane finish with exceptional durability and protection from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays in a one-coat application.
With the addition of this 2.1 low VOC clearcoat, PPG can now offer targeted customers a complete, low-VOC system that includes a corrosion-resistant epoxy primer and 2.8 VOC direct-gloss colors. This system can be especially beneficial to those paint operations that are limited by a VOC emissions cap, since it can allow them to spray more product and increase their total output.
“Our customers appreciate how this clearcoat can enhance the long-term durability and appearance of their assets,” said Michael Cooney, PPG product manager, industrial segments, commercial coatings, automotive refinish. “Painters will appreciate how easy the product is to apply, along with its excellent adhesion, film build and sag resistance.”
One such customer is Vertex Resource Group Ltd., a leading North American provider of environmental services. Headquartered in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, the 60-year-old company mainly serves the fluid transport needs of the oil and gas industry.
Recently, the company purchased approximately 100 previously owned trucks and “super B-train” tank trailers to be used for transporting liquid propane throughout the province of Ontario. A common site on Canadian highways, these massive haulers feature twin trailers that measure up to 85-feet in combined length.
The arrival of these newly acquired transporters represented a herculean task for Vertex’ in-house paint crew. For starters, the trailers needed to be converted from their original silver color to a shade of white used by Vertex. Given that the majority of the trailers showed signs of corrosion damage, the decision was made to sandblast the entire lot to bare metal.
“We take pride in making sure our vehicles look like they just rolled out of the factory,” said Robert McWhirter, industrial paint technician for Vertex. “But it’s not always easy when you consider the environment they operate within and the exposures they’re up against. The decision was made early on to start fresh with a bare metal substrate, and then apply a durable coating designed to withstand what I consider are some of the harshest operating conditions on the planet.”
McWhirter’s first move was to contact Garnet Dunstan, a sales and technical support representative with Auto Electric Service, Ltd., a PPG Platinum Distributor. A commercial coatings veteran with over 20 years of industry experience, Dunstan knew all too well the type of coating system Vertex needed. Protection from salt spray, flying gravel and extreme fluctuations in temperature (over 105°F in summer, below -58°F in winter) were essential, but nothing ranked higher than UV protection.
“People living in Canada or northern regions of the United States know exactly what I’m referring to when I say, ‘blue sky sunlight,’” said Dunstan. “It’s a brilliant, crystal clear form of sunlight that, while beautiful, can be very damaging to painted services that lack proper UV protection.”
Taking everything into consideration, Dunstan recommended PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 VOC Clearcoat as part of a premium coating system that includes PPG CRE-X21 series epoxy primer and PPG AUE-370 polyurethane topcoat.
“These are all durable, hardworking products when it comes to protecting a finish from the elements,” explained Dunstan. “But for me, the AUE-20 clearcoat takes it to another level. Keep in mind that super-B trailers adorned with the Vertex logo are all white. The goal is to prevent them from “yellowing” as a result of UV light exposure. And UV resistance is one of several great qualities this clearcoat brings to the table.”
Robert McWhirter was on board with Dunstan’s recommendation right from the start. But he had one additional request. “The surface area of our trailers is immense,” said McWhirter. “I use a scissor lift to go from one section to the next. When temperatures are on the warm side, it can be difficult to create a smooth, seamless flow because the paint dries too fast.”
McWhirter needed a reducer to help his coating “stay open” as he made his way around a trailer. The solution came in the form of PPG Q99/01 High Temperature/High Pressure Reducer. Specifically formulated for use with PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 Clearcoat, the newly released reducer helps painters apply a smooth, even finish without sagging or running—especially when application temperatures are high or when high-pressure equipment is used.
PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 VOC Clearcoat
By rounding out his paint system with PPG Q99/01 High Temperature/High Pressure Reducer, McWhirter, with the help of Auto Electric Service, put together a premium coating solution tailored to the needs of his fleet.
“I can’t say enough great things about the PPG system that I’m using,” said McWhirter. “All the products seem to complement each other. For example, the CRE epoxy primer goes down real smooth, setting the stage for the AUE-370 topcoat and AUE-20 clearcoat. If applied properly, these two products will mimic the smoothness of the primer.”
The finished product is a tough, highly protective coating that exceeded McWhirter’s expectations. “I knew the system would deliver with respect to durability and UV protection. What I didn’t expect is the deep, high gloss appearance that AUE-20 added to the mix. I’m not joking when I say these trailers roll out of my paint booth looking like a sports car. For a fleet of super-B trains that haul liquid propane, what more can you ask for?”
PPG AUE-370 Polyurethane Topcoat Application
For more information about PPG AUE-20 OEM 2.1 VOC Clearcoat, Q99/01 High Temperature/High Pressure Reducer and other PPG Commercial Performance Coatings, visit www.ppgcommercialcoatings.com or call 800-647-6050.
About the Author
John McQuillan is a senior writer for the Group-eX agency and has been covering the commercial transport industry for more than 20 years.
