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BASF’s iGloss clearcoat offers higher gloss and improved scratch-resistance on vehicles
First use of iGloss technology in North America
SOUTHFIELD, MI, July 20, 2017 – BASF presented a case study on the successful first use of its scratch-resistant iGloss® clearcoat technology in North America at the 29th annual SURCAR Conference.
A global automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) adopted the iGloss technology at one of its North American production plants to help achieve longer lasting protection on its vehicles. The customer found that scratch resistance and appearance improved by more than 25 percent using iGloss clearcoat technology.
“iGloss clearcoat technology provides a superior, long-lasting finish that protects against micro-scratches,” said Bill Kosteniuk, Account Manager, Asian Accounts North America at BASF. “Collaborating with our customer allowed BASF to help them meet and exceed their customers’ quality expectations.”
Automakers have long used clearcoat to give their vehicles a high gloss appearance and to help protect the car’s exterior from environmental influences and wear and tear. BASF’s iGloss technology uses a new clearcoat chemistry that combines the flexible, elastic finish and strong weathering resistance of inorganic components with the high scratch resistance of inorganic glass-like nanoclusters.
This combination allows iGloss to repair minor scratches via “instant reflow,” where the clearcoat springs back from external pressures, such as the bristles of a car wash brush. This allows the clearcoat to recover 90 percent of scratch deformation, whereas conventional clearcoats only recover about 70 percent.
The iGloss technology not only repairs minor scratches, it also offers increased scratch and weathering resistance. The unique chemical properties of the clearcoat allow for high gloss retention on a vehicle even after numerous scratch cycles and accelerated weathering tests that featured extreme temperature and radiation conditions.
Despite the unique composition of the iGloss clearcoat, it can be applied with existing OEM paint lines without requiring any major changes.
To learn more about BASF’s iGloss technology visit: www.basf-coatings.com.
For press photo click on the link below:
https://www.basf.com/press-photos/us/en/photos/2017/07/07-20-17_BASFiGloss.jpg
Suggested caption: BASF’s iGloss clearcoat technology improves overall appearance and protects against micro-scratches.
About BASF’s Coatings division
The Coatings division of BASF is a global expert in the development, production and marketing of innovative and sustainable automotive OEM and refinish coatings, as well as decorative paints. We create advanced performance solutions and drive performance, design and new applications to meet our partners’ needs all over the world. BASF shares skills, knowledge and resources of interdisciplinary and global teams for the benefit of customers by operating a collaborative network of sites in Europe, North America, South America and Asia Pacific. In 2016, the Coatings division achieved global sales of about €3.2 billion.
In 2016, BASF acquired Chemetall, a leading global supplier of applied surface treatments for metal, plastic and glass substrates in a wide range of industries and end markets. With this expansion in portfolio, BASF becomes a more complete solution provider for coatings.
Solutions beyond your imagination – Coatings by BASF. For more information about the Coatings division of BASF and its products, visit www.basf-coatings.com.
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has nearly 17,500 employees in North America, and had sales of $16.2 billion in 2016. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 114,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of about €58 billion in 2016. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.
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