PPG Coatings Selected by Airbus for A350-1000 Launch Aircraft
One of three Airbus A350-1000 flight-test aircrafts has been painted in the Airbus livery with a selectively strippable system by PPG.
One of three Airbus A350-1000 flight-test aircrafts has been painted in the Airbus livery with a selectively strippable system by PPG that reportedly shortens repaint cycle time using Desothane® HD 9008 basecoat-clearcoat for high-intensity, long-lasting color. A PPG low-density fuel tank and fuselage sealant reportedly provides the three flight-test aircrafts with weight savings compared with traditional sealants and will be used on production A350-1000 airplanes to benefit operators.
For the selectively strippable system, chrome-free Desoprime™ HS 7049 primer was applied over the existing base primer and F565 intermediate coating added over it, and then the aircraft was painted with Desothane color basecoat and clearcoat. When it is time for repainting, only the intermediate coating, basecoat and clearcoat will reportedly need to be removed for new applications, leaving Desoprime primer and the underlying base primer intact, reducing aircraft downtime by approximately 30-40%.