Linetec utilizes the most advanced equipment and techniques through its painting operation. With Linetec’s in-house computerized blending capabilities, over 55,000 unique colors have been applied through its paint facility. Linetec offers an unlimited choice of colors in all architectural paint finish types: 70% fluoropolymer, 50% fluoropolymer, and baked enamel paints. This also includes specialty type paints such as metallics, micas, and Linetec’s Antimicrobial and Terra-Cotta specialty coatings.
High-performance PVDF resin-based coatings may be defined as a thin layer of plastic film containing resin, binder and pigments that is applied to the surface of an object to provide protection and a decorative organic coating.
The primary component of paint is referred to as the resin. The type of paint comes from the resin system – Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF), Polyester, Acrylic, Polyurethane or Epoxy. It is not uncommon for a coating to contain several resins, which help the coating perform to specific requirements.
Paint coatings can be classified by function, curing system, volatile components, and resin system.
Function can be described as filler, surfacer, size coat, primer, tie coat and clear coat.
Different types of curing systems include air dry, air dry/force dry, bake/cure, catalyzed, and radiation.
Solvents, waterborne (water based and water reducible) and 100% solids.
Acrylic, Epoxy, Polyester, Polyurethane, Vinyl and PVDF (often referred to as Kynar® or Kynar 500®. Kynar 500® is not a finished paint, it is a trade name for PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) resin, as is Hylar 5000®. Kynar 500® is a registered trademark belonging to Arkema Inc.
The exact composition of a particular paint coating is often complex and proprietary. In general most paints contain resins, pigments, reducers and additives.
Resins are the compounds in the paint that form the film and hold the pigment in place. The resin system incorporated into the paint is the determining factor in the specific characteristics and performance properties. In the architectural industry, two primary resin systems are involved in refinishing of metals: fluoropolymer based (PVDF, often referred to as Kynar®) or “baked enamel” type, usually composed of acrylic or polyester resins.
Pigments are the material added to the paint to give it color or to enhance certain physical properties of the coating. The selection of pigments is done on the basis of physical needs, durability, gloss, color fastness and chemical exposure. Pigments are both naturally occurring as well as synthetic.
Reducers are used to serve different purposes. Using an active solvent will reduce the viscosity. Diluent solvent is used to extend a solution, but definitely weakens the power of the active solvent. Thinner solvent can extend a solution but does not impair the power of the active solvent.
Additives are usually paint type and specification specific. These can be added to enhance gloss, hardness and other characteristics.
When people describe paint systems, they are referring to the resin system incorporated in the paint.
The resin system determines the performance and properties of the paint. A typical gallon of paint is 10% pigment, 20% resin, and 70% solvent (reducers and additives).
Paint is in-house blended to meet the precise requirements of each unique project.
Linetec’s color matching capabilities are unparalleled. Utilizing the latest technologies to analyze and formulate thousands of color variations ensures creation of the exact color specified.
PVDF resin-based coatings provide protection against weathering, aging and pollution on buildings around the world.
The capability of PVDF, including Kynar 500®, resins to deliver long-lasting durability is unmatched in the industry, and is still the architect’s first choice.
The performance strengths and limitations of paint are summarized as follows:
Kynar or Kynar 500® is not a finished paint. It is a trade name for PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) resin, as is Hylar 5000®. (Similar to Kleenex being a trade name for a tissue).
PVDF resin is the raw material used to manufacture a PVDF resin-based coating. When formulated into a paint coating, the paint must contain a minimum of 70% by weight of Kynar 500® resin, or an equivalent product, to manufacture a 70% PVDF resin based coating that meets the highest performance criteria of AAMA 2605.
The key to a products performance is the resin chemistry. For the ultimate long-term durability, time has shown that PVDF resin offers the longest lasting weathering and sustainability.
A clear coat is only required over metallic colors and some bright and exotic colors. Adding a clear coat to a painted finish that is not required will not extend the warranty or life of the product. Paint manufacturers do not recommended using a clear top coat over a white color paint.
The application of a clear coat can affect the tone of the underlying color. The color typically shifts more yellow when a clear coat is applied.
Bright, dramatic colors have always been an influential part of the color palette in architectural design. In the architectural coatings industry it takes certain pigments to get bright and exotic colors such as reds, oranges and yellows. The most commonly known pigments to achieve these colors are the minerals lead and cadmium.
These minerals are toxic to the human body and interfere with its functioning and undermine health. For the health and safety of our employees, our customers, and our environment it is Linetec’s position not to apply paint coatings containing lead, mercury or cadmium.
More than ninety percent of the colors that were previously formulated with lead- and cadmium-based pigments can be made to match the same color using the less harmful pigments. Of the remaining ten percent that can’t be matched exactly, colors will most likely be bright red, yellow, and oranges.
The exterior performance is equal to that of the old cadmium-based pigment product. You will see no performance loss due to this new formulation.
A typical architectural finish is applied with only 0.8 to 1.2 mils (or thousandths of an inch) of coating. A good rule of thumb is: If you can feel the blemish (scratch, ding, dent, etc.) with your fingernail, the paint will most likely not hide the defect.
Most solid colors will hide any staining or streaking of a substrate at the required film thickness; however, there are certain mica and metallic based colors that will not hide the substrate, and the use of a base coat may be necessary to further enhance the paints hiding effectiveness.
American Architectural Manufacturers Association, a material-neutral organization, is the source of performance standards for the fenestration professionals of window, door, skylight, curtain wall and storefront manufacturing companies.
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As your Single Source Solution we offer custom options and specialty finishes such as Wood Grain Finishes, Copper Anodize, Spattercoat and textured Terra Cotta Coatings.
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Linetec has earned a long-standing reputation as a leader in environmentally-conscious practices and finishing options. For more than a decade, environmental responsibility has been written into our core values.
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Our technical experts at Linetec provide valuable industry education of high-performance architectural finishes to architects, engineers, specifiers and manufacturers.
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