Painting Aluminum Extrusions

Paint finishes include:

  • Liquid Coatings. A broad range of polyesters, acrylics, siliconized polyesters, and fluoropolymers are available in a virtually unlimited array of colors. Extruders and third-party painters typically utilize American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Specifications to define performance and parameters.
  • Powder Coatings. Alternative surface appearance and performance, as well as reduced emissions of volatile organic compounds, is available with powder-coat finishes, with little or no use of solvents.

Summary Liquid Paint Specifications for Aluminum Extrusions

  AAMA 2603* AAMA 2604* AAMA 2605*
Specifications Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Pigmented Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for High Performance Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels     Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Superior Performing Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels
Suggested Uses Residential, All Interior Applications Commercial/Industrial, High-end Residential, High Traffic areas     High Performance, Architectural and Monumental Applications
South Florida Exposure 1 Year     5 Years     10 Years
Color Retention      1 Year - Fade      5 Years - Fade = 5ΔE  10 Years - Fade = 5ΔE
Chalk Resistance   1 Year - Chalk 5 Years - Chalk = 8 10 Years - Chalk = 8 (colors) 
10 Years - Chalk = 6 (whites)

Glass Retention      
No Specification   5 Years - 30% Retention   10 Years - 50% Retention
Erosion Resistance       No Specification   5 Years - 10% Loss     10 Years - 10% Loss
Dry Film Thickness        0.80 mils minimum   1.20 mils minimum   1.20 mils minimum (2 coats)
Pretreatment System     Chrome & Chrome Free   Chrome & Chrome Free    Chrome = 40mg/sq. ft
Compliant Systems        Baked Enamel   50% PVDF resin   70% PVDF resin
Accelerated Testing      
Salt Spray       1,500 Hours   3,000 Hours   4,000 Hours
Humidity     1,500 Hours      3,000 Hours   4,000 Hours
Color Uniformity        Final Color Approval should be made with applicator prepared production lines samples     Final Color Approval should be made with applicator prepared production lines samples  Final Color Approval should be made with applicator prepared production lines samples

*Contact FGIA (formerly AAMA) for the latest revisions/changes to specifications: www.fgiaonline.org

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