SKYscapes Basecoat-Clearcoat System From Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Meets Two SAE AMS 3095 Certifications for Complete Coatings Systems

SKYscapes®, a new basecoat/clearcoat exterior paint system developed by Sherwin-Williams Aerospace, now has two complete coating systems - including pretreatment, corrosion protective primer, topcoat and clearcoat – certified with SAE International’s Aerospace Material Specification 3095 (AMS 3095).

The two certified systems include 1) Alodine, 2) 483987 Primer and 3) SKYscapes basecoat/clearcoat. The second includes 1) Alodine, 2) 483787 Chrome Hazard Free Primer and 3) SKYscapes basecoat/clearcoat. Using the SKYscapes basecoat/clearcoat exterior paint system now delivers faster process times, brighter and better hiding colors and easier maintenance repairs versus traditional single-stage aviation paint systems. In fact, it can cut up to 30 percent off traditional coating process time. This allows aviation MRO facilities and their paint shops to augment production schedules and turnaround more paint jobs.

“With our AMS 3095 certified-coatings and extremely high service standards, you’re going to get a better custom finish that’s delivered to you with little or no wait time, keeping your painting operations moving and helping you get your planes back in the air in the shortest amount of time possible,” says Karen O’Hara, Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Global Sales Manager “Our complete painting systems deliver the highest quality, durability and reparability.”

More than 2,500 SAE Aerospace Material Specifications (AMS) are recognized throughout the aerospace community and other industries, including the U.S. Department of Defense, which has adopted more than 900 of these documents into its standards. These AMS specifications are procurement standards rather than design specifications. AMS 3095 covers high-gloss paints for use on civil aircraft.

The savings from painting with SKYscapes basecoat/clearcoat are numerous. They include:

SAVES ON LABOR: Paint facilities can apply more colors in the same time (up to three colors in an eight-hour shift instead of one), saving time and money

SAVES ON MATERIAL: This new system utilizes cost-effective, less pigmented coats, and its improved color hiding often requires fewer coats

SAVES ON ENERGY: Paint facilities can now reduce baking (if needed at all) to accelerate the cure cycle, and should notice energy savings

SAVES ON MAINTENANCE: The system delivers a consistent and durable finish while being easier to clean, buff and repair than traditional technologies

SAVES ON WEIGHT: Thinner layers of basecoat/clearcoat weigh less than the traditional technologies with heavier, pigmented coats and can also result in reduced fuel costs

SAVES ON SUNDRIES: Less (or no) sanding means reduced associated products, less clean up and dust collection; which all results in a cleaner paint job

“Time is money. And the SKYscapes basecoat/clearcoat painting system produces significant savings through faster dry times, better color retention and increased durability versus single-stage paint systems,” O’Hara adds. “In addition, the shortened processing time means aircraft will spend less time in the maintenance hangar and back in the air faster. This benefits the bottom line for everyone involved, from fleet operators and plane owners to the MRO shop.”

For information on the SKYscapes basecoat-clearcoat system or other Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings, call 1-888-888-5593 or visit www.swaerospace.com.