COATINGS AND FINISHES UPDATE. SPECIAL REPORT

Traditional automotive coatings, such as exterior paint and new under-the-skin corrosion protection, are undergoing careful government scrutiny, and longer finance periods resulting from higher prices are making car buyers more sensitive to product longevity. Corrosion is both a structural and an aesthetic problem. Rust warranties in the United States have been following a pattern set in Canada which required such guarantees in 1977. Paint systems already in place are being forced into wide-scale conversion programs due to Environmental Protection Agency standards for solvent emissions. Courts are becoming involved as well; Fiat motors of North America, Inc., is fighting a court case filed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demanding the recall of about 134,000 of its 124 models (1970-1974), in addition to an earlier recall of 850 models (1970-1971). Rust, weight, and emission factors are having a significant impact on the selection of coating and finish materials. Both one-side and two-side galvanized steel are being considered. Solvent-based paint systems are being challenged, e.g. by an innovation that involves dry pigment sprayed directly on a metal surface and baked in an oven. Honda and Fiat have successfully powder-painted exteriors overseas, and pilot lines have run at both Ford and General Motors in the United States. American Motors has announced a new corrosion warranty for its 1980 models. The complex mixture of new coatings and processes causes inevitable problems, e.g. compatibility between galvanized steel and "E-coat" primer baths. The proliferation of automotive plastic parts has caused color matching and durability problems on exterior finishes and a need for low-temperature systems.

  • Availability:
  • Corporate Authors:

    Ward's Communications Incorporated

    28 West Adams Street
    Detroit, MI  United States  48226
  • Authors:
    • McCosh, D F
    • Beaumier, F B
  • Publication Date: 1980-2

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00391847
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
  • Report/Paper Numbers: HS-028 857
  • Files: HSL, USDOT
  • Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM