The VW PV 1502 standard, developed by Volkswagen automobile company, defines a test method for determining the cracking resistance of varnish for two-layer metallic paint used on vehicles.
In general, paint cracking is caused by different factors, such as poor flash time between coats, forced drying of undercoats or excessively thick coats, improper paint mix, excessive use of hardener, and exposure to extreme temperatures or humidity. However, whatever the cause, prominent streaks or cracks can appear on the vehicle's trim. Their appearance is not always the same length or width, but they are similar to the cracks that often appear in dried mud.
The modern automobile is a large collection of parts made of various materials. Many of these parts have a protective coating applied to improve appearance or provide added durability to the substrate. In many coating systems, the top layer is a clear coating that not only protects the underlying layers or substrate from chemical and UV degradation, but also protects against mechanical damage that causes surface defects and scratches.
The most scratch-prone surfaces on vehicles today are exterior paint trim, small exterior trim parts such as door handle pockets or pillar sconces, and interior trim components. A car's paint coating prevents rust but can crack. Paint is a liquid mixture of pigments (colour), binders (polymers), and solvents (water). But what isn't seen is the polymers that actually hold the paint together. Classic car paint has crosslinks between its binders that help hold the liquid in place before it dries. After the car is painted, the cross-links are broken with chemical catalysts, depending on the type of paint used. Combining an oxidizer with an organic compound creates breaks in the polymer chains, thus creating spaces for air to become trapped inside when exposed to moisture or water ingress, as well as oxygen after drying, causing the paint to blister or crack.
Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides varnish cracking resistance testing services for two-layer metallic paint within the scope of VW PV 1502 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.
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