Direct-to-Metal coatings offer uncompromised performance in a single layer.

A: Phil Robinson: Any light- to medium-duty  industrial application where there is a need for protection from the elements, such as corrosion or UV degradation, has the potential to use a Direct-to-Metal coating. Examples of these applications might include interior platforms in industrial spaces, handrails, tanks, and certain piping applications.

A: PR: Since DTM products don’t require a primer, you're only applying one coat versus two. With fewer coats, there's a savings in time, labor, and subsequently money. Additionally, there is less material needed. Not only is there the reduction in an entire coat but the opportunity for over-spray is also reduced, further eliminating wasted material. In the end, you get the same amount of protection and there's less waste associated with fewer coats.

A: PR: I would say there's continuous improvement in the performance of these coatings. You see increases in corrosion resistance and increases in protection from UV degradation. Overall performance continues to evolve from a sustainability standpoint. Formulations continue to push toward lower VOCs. The chemistry has gotten better, and as the chemistry continues to get better, there are lower VOCs, meaning lower unwanted emissions in the atmosphere.

A: PR: It depends on the type of chemistry in play. It’s important to choose the right chemistry for the intended application.

For example: If you were coating the outside of a boat that's sea bearing and is going to sit in the ocean, a Direct-to-Metal coating would not be the best choice.

A: PR: I'd say there's no difference in the general industrial segment in color palette from Direct-to-Metal to a traditional primer and topcoat application. The color palette, however, is not as diverse as the architectural segment. There are the basic primary colors: yellows, reds, blacks, whites, grays, and greens. That's pretty much where it stops.

A: PR: There are a few big trends in DTM that never really go away: increases in technology, lowering the VOCs, and improved ease of application. The easier you can coat it, the less labor that's being used. We are always looking to reduce the required preparation of the substrate. Any time that you don't have to spend as much time preparing the substrate, you're also going to see subsequent labor cost savings.

A: PR: Ultimately, there isn’t a primer needed with DTM. However, I think that in both a primer and topcoat application and a DTM application there is going to be a similar amount of preparation of the substrate needed. That's an area where we're always looking to advance our technology.

A: PR: When using both a primer and a topcoat VOCs are emitted with the application of both the primer and the topcoat. With a single layer application, like DTM, there's only one layer being applied, and therefore only one opportunity for the VOCs to escape.

A: PR: Yes. I would say there absolutely is an increased demand for Direct-to-Metal for the obvious benefits: significant time, labor, and material savings all result in overall cost reductions. Add to that the sustainability benefits of emitting less VOCs. As long as the application is chosen correctly, you’re not giving up performance attributes. You get the same performance with the other ancillary benefits.