Direct-to-metal topcoats for light industrial equipment carry a persistent trade-off: corrosion protection strong enough for steel, galvanized steel and aluminum substrates in demanding environments, without giving up application efficiency, low-VOC compliance, or processing economics. As applicators in the EMEA light industrial segment shift toward air-assisted airless spray systems for higher throughput, holding gloss consistency and sag control across operator skill levels adds a second layer of difficulty.
Targeting the corrosion-resistance gap in EMEA’s light industrial coatings market, an enhanced 2K acrylic direct-to-metal topcoat formulation from PPG centers on meaningfully increased salt spray resistance, alongside expanded application flexibility and stable, controlled processing.
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Salt spray resistance rises for direct-to-metal use
According to PPG, the topcoat is now certified to C5M under ISO 12944-6, a standard that evaluates both environmental corrosivity exposure and coating durability together rather than in isolation. The formulation is also optimized for air-assisted airless application, and improved sag resistance is reported to give applicators of varying skill levels more consistent control during spray-out.
PPG reports the coating is now certified to C5M per ISO 12944-6, a classification indicating a high level of protection suited to demanding industrial environments, with salt spray resistance significantly improved over the prior formulation.
The topcoat is positioned for direct-to-metal application on steel, galvanized substrates and aluminum in light industrial coating programs. Its high solids content is reported to support an economical, low-VOC profile, and the supplier states that efficient, reliable processing during manufacturing keeps the formulation stable and controlled through production. Combined with the high-gloss finish achievable across applicator skill levels, the profile positions the grade for light industrial equipment programs balancing corrosion performance, application efficiency and cost.
“This enhanced topcoat combines higher-protection performance, broader application flexibility and stable processing in one solution,” said Kelly Hess, PPG global light industrial coatings product manager, Automotive Refinish. “It is a direct response to what our partners and end-users need – a product that performs at the highest level while remaining practical and efficient to apply.“