Kleenex is a registered trademarked brand of facial tissue owned by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation. It is so well recognized in the U.S. that when you need to dab a tear or wipe your nose, most of us would ask for a “Kleenex” rather than a generic “tissue,” a “Puffs” (owned by Procter & Gamble) or another brand name product.
Kynar and Kynar 500 are registered trademarked brands of fluoropolymer resin used in architectural metal coatings owned by Arkema. Like Kleenex, it is so well recognized that when you need to paint an aluminum-framed window, door or curtainwall; many in our industry ask for “Kynar” rather than a generic “architectural coating” or another brand name product.
There are several similar trademarked brands of high-performance architectural resin and paint coatings for aluminum building products and components. As examples, Linetec is a fully approved and licensed applicator of:
Some North American markets have such a strong brand connection that the locally popular trademarked name becomes synonymous for all of its competitors. If you’ve attended GlassBuild America when it’s in Atlanta, you may have been asked what kind of “Coke” you want, even if the answer is “Pepsi.” As the Coca-Cola Company is headquartered in Georgia, “Coke” became the go-to word not only for soda or pop, but for nearly all carbonated beverage brands.
If you don’t know to look and listen for this, it can be confusing. Similarly, it can be confusing when “Kynar,” “Trinar,” “Duranar,” and “Fluropon” are requested as synonymous for “architectural metal coating” or are referenced in specification documents.
To ensure the highest performance architectural coatings for your aluminum window, curtainwall, storefront, entrance and panel systems, Linetec recommends specifying:
70% polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) resin-based coatings that meet AAMA 2605.
- PVDF is a fluoropolymer resin chemistry and key to the branded coating products’ performance and long-term durability.
- Specifying 70% PVDF (often referred to as 70% Kynar) means that the paint contains a minimum of 70% by weight of the PVDF resin.
- AAMA 2605 references the “Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Superior Performing Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels (with Coil Coating Appendix).” Published by the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA), this specification was most recently updated in 2022, so current documents may cite “AAMA 2605-22.”
Linetec offers 70% PVDF resin-based coatings in:
- Standard color two-coat systems, consisting of a primer and color coat
- Two-coat mica systems, also consisting of a primer and color coat
- Three-coat and four-coat systems for metallic and exotic colors, which require a clear top-coat
Coatings that meet the AAMA 2605 specification are tested to provide proven, consistent high-performance that exhibit outstanding resistance to humidity, color change, chalking, gloss loss, chemicals, salt spray and weathering. This uniform, beautiful finish typically carries a 10-year warranty.
For projects requiring less robust performance, you may consider 50% PVDF resin-based coatings that meet AAMA 2604. These include standard color two-coat systems and two-coat mica systems. ACRYNAR by PPG and Acrodize by Sherwin-Williams are brands associated with 50% PVDF resin-based architectural metal coating systems at this performance level that Linetec provides. A five-year warranty is typical for coatings that meet AAMA 2604.
If you have questions about selecting and specifying the optimal coating, please contact your local Linetec associate. We will help ensure that the coating’s specified formulation, proper application and regular maintenance that will keep your finished architectural metal products looking great and performing well for years to come.