Full Description

The specification covers the durability and performance requirements for evaluation of new accent colors or pigmentation changes in approved accent color, basecoat or clearcoat technologies for exterior trim. This specification does not apply for topcoat colors which will be supplied to GM assembly plants or colors developed for exterior part sources that match topcoat colors for vehicle body.

Note: Nothing in this standard supercedes applicable laws and regulations.

Note: In the event of conflict between the English and domestic language, the English language shall take precedence.

Purpose/Material Description.

Materials qualified to this standard shall meet the performance requirements as shown in Appendix A.

Material Identification.

Color description is to include:

• Color name; GM-XXXX.

• Color coding; WA-XXXX finish code.

• Supplier code and batch number used for testing.

• Applicable basecoat and clearcoat technologies, e.g., GMWXXXX, L number or other regional or global specifications.

Note: XXXX is used as a placeholder for the color code number entered into the appearance database.

Qualified to this Material Specification.

Testing per this specification is required by a change in pigment type or a combination of pigments not previously used together. In addition, a change in the level of a pigment or a change in Pigment to Binder (PB) ratio may also require this specification to be completed. The GM paint engineer will make the final decision whether or not to test such changes to the PB ratio.

Symbols.

Not applicable.

Applicability.

The intent of the testing is to ensure that all future GM colors, in approved topcoat technologies, will meet performance criteria as affected by pigmentation. This testing generally includes evaluation of colorfastness, chip resistance, flexibility, and resistance to Ultraviolet (UV) transmission.

Performance criteria are dictated by the substrate/paint combination. Generally, all paints which apply to this standard shall meet the requirements of GMW3005, Generic Topcoat Qualification.

All new accent colors are to complete Xenon (4500 kJ/m²) or surrogate two (2) years of outdoor exposure and subsequent testing of the same paint system with the same combination of pigments used provided that the color passes all other short-term tests.

For tint clearcoat colors, a minimum of Xenon (4500 kJ/m²) or surrogate two (2) years of outdoor exposure and subsequent testing of the same tinted clearcoat, provided that all other short-term tests have passed.

Remarks.

Color Durability Review.

Formal reviews of all exposure panels shall be held, and reports generated. Refer to all figures and tables in Appendix A and Appendix B. All panels shall be retained by the supplier.

Additional reviews will be held for individual pigment performance on proposal of use by a topcoat supplier.