Story ID: 461
Sherwin-Williams Paints the Sky with Coating Upgrades
By: Jessica Reed
Caption: The 850 Series SKYscapes Effect Finishes offer a high-performance polyurethane base coat 
Word Count: 398
Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings has introduced a range of new products and services at this year’s NBAA-BACE under the theme "Envisioned Precision." Among the highlights are advanced coatings and tools designed to make the aircraft finishing process more efficient and to offer more aesthetic options for aviation professionals.
At the forefront of its product launches is the 850 Series Skyscapes Effect Finishes, a high-performance polyurethane base coat offering a wide variety of effects for use on both small and large aircraft. The new line allows for versatile application, including striping, accents, and overall paint jobs, providing a durable, vibrant finish with metallic and hybrid options. It was designed to be easy to apply and to repair. “It's all about helping the OEM and the maintenance facility get it done quicker and out the door,” Julie Voisin, Sherwin-Williams market segment manager for aerospace, told AIN.
Complementing the 850 Series is the new 858 Series Skyscapes single-stage topcoat, designed for both exterior and interior surfaces. This polyester/urethane hybrid system offers a range of gloss levels, delivering a durable and smooth appearance that meets the diverse needs of aviation maintenance and repair shops.
Sherwin-Williams also unveiled updates to its Aircraft Color Visualizer, a web-based tool that allows users to experiment with color combinations on various aircraft models. The system now supports 10 aircraft types, up from six, including everything from kit planes to heavy jets. As Voisin explained, "It gives the customer a chance to play with color… they can say, ‘I like this combination’ and give it to the plane designer. You can go in and play with our color palette and design your own.”
In addition to these products, Sherwin-Williams is introducing a next-generation chrome-free epoxy primer, designed for corrosion resistance without the environmental drawbacks of traditional chrome-based systems. The primer has already been qualified by Gulfstream, which has “been the first [OEM] buying it this year and it's been doing really great in the marketplace,” Voisin shared with AIN.
Another innovation is the Jet Prep Sol-Gel metal pretreatment, which further supports the industry's transition to chrome-free solutions by providing good adhesion and corrosion protection for aluminum substrates.
Sherwin-Williams’ advancements extend to a new universal clearcoat system for general aviation, a conductive coating to dissipate static on aluminum and composite surfaces, and a high-performance filler for surface imperfections.