Advances in Prepainted Aluminum for Truck Trailer Builders
Enhanced two-coat metallic coil coating provides an unlimited color palette for truck trailer manufacturers.
Posted: April 21, 2015
Not only are automakers introducing more vibrant finishes to their fleets, but truck trailer builders are also getting bolder with different colors and finishes, thanks to advancements in pre-painted aluminum spearheaded by members of the National Coil Coating Association (Cleveland, OH).
Truck trailer body builders now have more colors, specialty finishes and visual effects available to them because of technological advancements made in the prepainted aluminum stage of production. While “old school” black and white colors are still common because of cost savings, a new array of colors is gaining ground, including yellow, orange, matte coatings and metallic coatings.
For years, acrylic finishes dominated the truck trailer market. But advancements in polyester resins now provide enhanced distinction of image (DOI) and stain resistance. Polyester metallic finishes are better than ever with an enhanced two-coat technology, batch to batch consistency and color control from head to tail and coil to coil. This two-coat metallic technology provides an unlimited color palette for truck trailer manufacturers.
Along with numerous color choices, the new texture and texture-like finishes of prepainted aluminum offer superior scuff resistance on truck trailers. The texture particles create a distorted surface pattern that disrupts the coated aluminum from marring, scratching and scuffing. These finishes got their start in public restrooms where they were used on wall panels, providing superior abrasion resistance and better clean up.
Pre-painted aluminum on truck trailers can stand up to all kinds of weather. Corrosion resistance is better than ever with a two-coat system using a primer and a top coat that means better cosmetic longevity throughout the life of the product. Corrosion resistance is critical in the truck trailer industry, especially driving in northern regions where snowfall and ice are prominent. Salt and deicing agents are primary contributors to corrosion.
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