Suzuki SES D 2203 Painting Code

The standard “Suzuki SES D 2203 Painting code” developed by Suzuki, a Japanese automotive manufacturer, under Suzuki engineering standards, defines the painting code applied to the base metal, mainly for corrosion prevention and decoration purposes. However, it does not apply to the films shown below:

• Paint film for vacuum evaporation coating
• Dye film for directional reflection or fluorescence
• Paint film for relatively high heat resistance
• Paint film for soundproofing
• Paint film for electrical insulation

The appearance grade criteria defined in this standard are sometimes specified in other standards and drawings as a basis for finished surfaces, such as painting and coatings other than the base metal.

The physical properties of the paint film should comply with the table given in the standard, based on corrosion resistance.

The appearance grade should be in accordance with the table titled “Working conditions for air resistance tester using carbon arc lamp”, but for motorcycle and ATV, the appearance grade should be in accordance with the SES D 2223 standard.

In determining the paint, the combination of the paint film physical properties and the degree of appearance should be in accordance with the table titled “alkali resistance test conditions”.

The method of displaying paint in the official drawing or others should be as follows: picture, color code, paint film physical property and appearance grade. When the appearance grade and target surface are specified in the drawing, the method of displaying the appearance quality of the equipment part should comply with the SES D 2219 standard.

The paint film test method is carried out in a place with little air flow, not exposed to direct sunlight, and free from heat, gas, steam, dust, and other substances that may affect the test results. If the coated surface is contaminated, it shall be cleaned with a cloth (moistened with gasoline) to remove any adhering oil. The materials, instruments, and reagents used for the test shall be in accordance with Japanese industrial standards. The parts used for the test shall be taken from finished products manufactured according to the given painting specifications (base metal conditioning, pretreatment, painting process, coating thickness). If they cannot be correctly placed in the test device due to their size, shape, or mass, they shall be cut to a suitable size before use. Any exposed base metal (for example, in the cutting section, around the effective surface, or on the back) that may affect the test results shall be masked with a cover that shall remain unchanged under the test conditions by mutual agreement between the parties concerned. If samples are used by mutual agreement between the supplier and the purchaser, they shall be manufactured using the same materials and paints used for the parts. After drying and curing, the parts used for testing should be left for the time specified in the table titled “Separation time according to paint type and application method” before testing. The table shows the minimum separation times at a temperature of 20 degrees plus/minus 2 degrees and a humidity of 65 percent plus/minus 5 percent, as a rule of thumb.

In the appearance test, the background color should be achromatic (approximately N8721 gray specified in the JIS Z 5 standard). Any light other than fluorescent or scattered daylight emitted from the frosted glass plate is used to provide a uniform illumination of approximately 300 lx when measured on the effective surface. Visually inspect the color and brightness of the sample and whether there are scars, pits, sanding marks, particles and bubbles from a distance of approximately 50 cm (or 30 cm for SS grade, orange peel, roughness sanding marks). If necessary, border samples are prepared by mutual agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.

This standard describes the following test methods used in paint film examination:

• Corrosion resistance test: A cross scratch mark is cut on the effective surface using a cutting blade to the depth reaching the base metal, and the sample is subjected to the salt spray test specified in JIS Z 2371 for the time specified in the table. The sample is removed and washed with water and left indoors for two hours. A 1522 mm wide adhesive cellophane tape specified in JIS Z 12 is attached to the scratch mark and made to adhere completely to the mark. Immediately thereafter, the tape is removed immediately by holding the tape edge at a right angle to the coated surface. Except for the part within approximately 3 mm from the scratch mark, the coated surface with a total width of 6 mm is checked for abrasive products, bubbles, peeling and softened coating. For parts within approximately 3 mm from a hole or edge and for gears or finished parts where it is difficult to cut the scratch mark, the test method shall be determined by mutual agreement between the supplier and the purchaser.
• Accelerated weathering test: A sample is submitted to the accelerated weathering test using a carbon arc lamp for the time specified in the table. The adherent substances are wiped off the coated surface, and the adhesion of the sample and the presence of rust, cracks, bubbles and peeling are checked. The weathering tester using a carbon arc lamp shall be operated under the conditions specified in the table. If the sample is discolored, its surface shall be polished with wax, and the color difference and gloss retention rate shall be checked.
• Water resistance test method: The samples are immersed in distilled or deionized water under the conditions specified in the table, and then taken out and left in for one hour. Then, their effective surfaces are checked for bubbles, peeling, cracks, wrinkles, rust, gloss changes and softened paint.
• Moisture resistance test method: The samples are placed in a bubble box (a rotating humidity chamber specified in the JIS K 5600-7-2 standard) under the conditions specified in the table. The samples are taken out and left inside for two hours. Then, their effective surfaces are checked for bubbles, peeling, cracks, wrinkles, rust, gloss changes, and softened paint.
• Oil resistance test method: Samples are immersed in oil under the conditions specified in the table and removed, then the oil is wiped off with absorbent cotton moistened with gasoline. In addition, the samples are left in for one hour. Then, their effective surfaces are checked for bubbles, peeling, cracks, wrinkles and softened paint. The test oil is selected by mutual agreement between the supplier and the buyer.
• Gasoline resistance test method: The samples are immersed in ordinary gasoline at room temperature for the time specified in the table and taken out, then left indoors for two hours. Then, their effective surfaces are checked for bubbles, peeling, cracks, color changes and softened paint.
• Alkali resistance test method: After the samples are tested under the conditions specified in the table titled “Alkali resistance test conditions”, they are rinsed with water and left in the air for one hour. Then, their effective surfaces are checked for bubbles, peeling, cracks and softened paint.
• Acid resistance test method: After the samples are tested under the conditions specified in the table titled “Acid resistance test conditions”, they are rinsed with water and left in the air for one hour. Then, their effective surfaces are checked for bubbles, peeling, cracks and softened paint.

This standard also describes the following test methods:

• Pencil hardness test
• gloss test
• Adhesion test
• Impact resistance test
• Paint film thickness test

Our organization, which has been trying to support businesses from every sector with its testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies carried out in a wide range for years, has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in the world in the field of science and technology and constantly improves itself. In this context, testing services in accordance with the "Suzuki SES D 2203 Painting Code" standard are also provided to businesses.