A few weeks back I asked a simple question on Facebook "What makes a HS clear High Solids?" The Answers clearly shown that this was a grey area and not many painters known the actual answer.
So What solid contents are in clearcoats and what percentage solids defines its catagory?
From Speaking with our chemists and other industry manufacturers we have put the below together.
Medium Solids - 45% to 49% solids
High solids 50% to 55%
Ultra high solids 60%+
So know we know what solids contents we class as what category lets take a look at how the VOC Regulations also play a part in what is HS or MS.
Many painters do not fully understand the VOC regulations and some Manufacturers are exploiting this. There are two main categories for clearcoats Cat D which is max 420g/L solvent content and Cat E 840g/L solvent content. This is a very easy way to tell if a HS clear is actually an MS because of its classification. Just in case you still don't fully understand, a clear with 420 grams of solvent per litre is going to have a lot more solids than a clear that has up to 840 grams of solvent per litre. This would be our first way to tell a true HS clear.
This is also why our HS clearcoat may be priced higher than other HS clears on the market is because ours is 420 compliant meaning there is less solvent in the formulation than a clearcoat that is 840 compliant.
Ultra high solids is usually 60%+ solids and is usually 400g/L ready for use. With the solids contents being so high, special formulating is needed to make sure that the coating is sprayable and not needing more dilutant which may make the clear non compliant. Most UHS Clearcoats require the use of Special Low Viscosity hardeners which allows the clearcoat to be sprayable without adding thinner before spraying.
If you would like to try our HS Clearcoat take a look on our MULTI-MIX page to purchase your sample kit today.
