You might find a discussion on the chemical makeup of aircraft paint pretreatment coatings about as interesting as—watching it dry. But the protective properties of a high-tech precoating can save millions, industrywide, in preventing corrosion and a host of other destructive threats to airframes. Just ask anyone who’s ever owned a bare-metal antique.
Today (Oct. 26), Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings introduced its new Jet Prep Pretreatment, described as “a chrome-free, water-based, translucent, sol-gel metal pretreatment solution designed specifically for the aerospace industry.” The process involves a two-component pretreatment kit meant to improve adhesion and corrosion protection “over aluminum substrates—and pairs with aerospace-grade corrosion-protective epoxy primers and topcoat paint systems.”
Perhaps ironically for such a complex chemical component, one of Jet Prep Pretreatment’s greatest assets could be the ease of applying it. Sherwin-Williams said, “[S]imply spray, brush or wipe on the product. Application is made even easier with a slightly pigmented (blue) tint that provides a visual cue; a flat appearance when dry that confirms successful application; and an extended pot life of up to 12 hours. Plus, with no surface preparation required after application, Jet Prep offers a cost-effective and less labor-intensive solution compared to traditional coating processes.”
Julie Voisin, Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings Market Manager, summed up: “Jet Prep delivers a high-quality, chrome-free pretreatment solution to the aviation industry. It also provides applicators the ability to apply a complete Sherwin-Williams chrome-free system from substrate to topcoat.”
Interesting. SW is not anywhere near the top when it comes to global aviation paint companies (the top two are Akzo Nobel NV and PPG Industries respectively). They have their own pre-treatment products as well. It will be interesting to see if Sherwin-Williams can capture more market share with this new offering