Wet paint (liquid coating)

Wet paint is a liquid coating, typically a primer plus a urethane, epoxy or acrylic topcoat, sprayed and then air-dried or low-bake cured. It suits heat-sensitive substrates such as molded plastics and urethane castings, large weldments, and small-batch exact color matches to Pantone, RAL or AMS-STD-595. Typical film is 1–3 mil (25–75 µm) per coat. Soft-touch, metallic and CARC finishes are available.

Add it to a part

Applies to: Plastics, cast urethane, 3D-printed parts, steel, aluminum and die castings
Adds: 5 days
Cost: Moderate

Colors

Custom Pantone, RAL or AMS-STD-595 match
Gloss, satin or flat
Soft-touch
Metallic

Specs

Wet paint (liquid coating) specifications
Film thickness	1–3 mil (25–75 µm) per coat
Systems	Epoxy primer, 2K polyurethane topcoat, acrylic, soft-touch
Cure	Air dry or low bake, about 140–180 °F (60–80 °C)
Color match	Pantone, RAL or AMS-STD-595 number with an agreed ΔE tolerance
Gloss	Measured per ASTM D523 in gloss units
Adhesion	ASTM D3359; PP and PE need adhesion promoter or flame treatment

Call out on the drawing

ASTM D3359 (adhesion)
ASTM D523 (gloss)
ASTM D2244 (color difference)
AMS-STD-595 (colors, formerly FED-STD-595)
MIL-DTL-53039 (CARC topcoat)

Materials it suits

Common on

Questions

When should I paint instead of powder coat?

Paint when the part cannot take a 350–400 °F (180–200 °C) cure, as with plastics and urethane castings; when parts are too large for a powder oven; or when you need a thin film, soft-touch feel or a small-batch exact color. For production metal parts, powder usually costs less and lasts longer.

How is paint color tolerance specified?

Name the standard color (Pantone, RAL or AMS-STD-595 number), supply a physical master sample, and state a color difference limit such as ΔE ≤ 1.0 under a defined light source, measured per ASTM D2244.

Can polypropylene or nylon parts be painted?

Nylon, ABS and PC paint readily. Polypropylene and polyethylene need flame, plasma or chemical adhesion promoters first because of their low surface energy.