WHAT IS A PERMAGARD TREATMENT?
PERMAGARD is a specific, long-lasting protection process using a reactive polymer that is suitable for all types of paint and composites. Once applied on painted surfaces by a certified technician, the PERMAGARD treatment creates a high quality protective coating with a glass-like finish that is extremely shiny and slick to the touch.
THE PERMAGARD TREATMENT
- Protects exterior surfaces against continued absorption and damage from harsh contaminants such as: Acid rain, bird lime, UV rays, fuel, exhaust fumes, grease, solvents, fine sand, salt, chemicals.
- Environmentally friendly as it reduces the use of detergents and water.
- Slows deterioration of paint.
- Restores oxidized paint.
- Protects paint from premature oxidation therefore extending the life of the paint.
- Greatly reduces the maintenance time required to keep the surfaces clean.
- Provides durable protection.
- Maintains a long-lasting shine.
- Gets rid of fine lines and polish marks.
PERMANENT
- Seals the external finish
- Glossy and slick to the touch
- No need to polish
- Never needs to be compounded
PROTECTION
- Protects against fading and oxidation
- Eliminates swirl marks
- Does not contain wax or silicone
- Does not create repaint problems
PERFORMANCE
- Reduces drag and improves performance
- Dramatically reduces maintenance
- Restores and revitalizes paint and composites
- Exceptional, long-lasting shine
ENVIROMENTALLY FRIENDLY – NON TOXIC
- PERMAGARD is an environmentally friendly process with no pollution or noise during the application.
- PERMAGARD has been proven to reduce parasitic drag on business jets, thereby reducing engine cruise power settings, ultimately saving fuel.
- Once applied, PERMAGARD can be maintained without the use of harsh cleaning chemicals which damage aviation paints, as well as being detrimental to the environment. PERMAGARD is a non-toxic, environmentally friendly solution to cleaning your aircraft.
- PERMAGARD reduces the need for respraying and repainting.
Permagard Fact Sheet
- Aircraft require professional protection to avoid damage to exterior painted surfaces due to accelerated corrosion, extreme weather and temperature changes, intense UV exposure and rapid oxidation.
- Permagard’s aerospace coatings utilizes our high performance reactive film technology for the ultimate protection of all aircraft types.
- Effective and powerful anti-oxidation functionality keeps your aircraft in super-gloss pristine condition which means less down time for cleaning.
- Fuel consumption will be reduced due to the low-porosity fine surface finish which can aid in reducing drag friction forces.
Proper Aircraft Exterior Surface Maintenance
The Days of Simply Repainting an aircraft when it gets really dull and dirty are virtually over for a wide variety of reasons. Down time for preparation and application, rising cost of new and old paint, higher labour costs and the environmental disposal of stripper to name just a few.
A new problem involves modern aircraft which make use of composite panels. These panels are particularly sensitive to surface maintenance. Even cleaning these painted surfaces with some common solvents and degreasers is prohibited. You cannot simply strip the paint with old techniques using common chemical strippers without fear of compromising the structural integrity. Proper cleaning and maintenance using the appropriate products, equipment and techniques safely and confidently addresses these concerns.
A proper and complete cleansing and protection program for the exterior surfaces both painted and otherwise, truly offers many important and cost effective benefits for the owner operator.
What exactly is proper polishing?
It is vitally important to understand the difference between what is accomplished with a “proper polishing” as opposed to an aircraft “waxing or shine”. Particularly on paint, a “shine” is relatively cheap and easy to obtain. A case in point, simply wipe a cloth saturated with kerosene (de-odorised) on the dullest paint surface and one can attain a beautiful shine. Unfortunately, it will only last for about three days at most but more importantly, it will also DRY OUT the paint and remove any gloss permanently if applied repeatedly.
These types of “wipe and shine” solutions may seem ideal at the time but can have a rapid, negative effect on the HARDNESS of the paint which can be disastrous especially within the type of environment in which today’s commercial aircraft have to operate.
Don’t forget, the primary reason for paint at all is to prevent the substrate from erosion and corrosion. As tough and durable as today’s advanced paints are, they still require some maintenance in order to remain viable, clean and durable; rather like keeping a window clean in order to see through it clearly and properly.
Magic Quick Fixes
There is a bewildering array of polishes, waxes and “magical” paint protection formulas available on the market. Most of these products or systems are “automotive” based and will certainly achieve nice “shine” or “gloss”. A few may even protect, to some degree the surface from further degradation.
In reality the majority of these products address the short term COSMETIC look with little attention to longevity or the type of harsh environment within which aircraft operate.
Products or systems designed for use in the automotive or marine industries tend to be more cosmetic in nature and are not exceptionally durable for aviation purposes. In fact waxes and especially wax based formulas are usually prone to rather rapid degradation from evaporation due to heat and friction.
Static Dissipation
On aircraft, the leading edge surfaces, in particular, the protection and/or finish can completely vanish as quick as V1, typically on faster, higher flying, commercial jet or turbo prop aircraft.
Pure wax based systems, especially when used on an inadequately cleaned surface, may even serve to accelerate microscopic surface corrosion by trapping contaminants and moisture beneath (where wax has been built up in small hidden and non-exposed areas, material overlap, edges of paint chips, deep scratches or cracks).
This ‘trapped” moisture can often “eat” its way through things like Zinc Chromate and such before it will come back out through the wax. There is also evidence that “waxed” surfaces on aircraft may even precipitate a potential static dissipation problem.
Gloss Enhancers
Another alternative system or formula is based on “gloss enhancers” using silicon oils or acrylic resins, frequently emulsifying in high solvent carrying agents, sometimes with or without wax ingredients. These are primarily cosmetic in function and do little to remove microscopic surface scratches where corrosion and oxidation always start. They simply “hide” the scratches by temporarily filing them.
Paint Softening
Using silicon oils and acrylic resins may indeed clean the surface to some degree, depending on the type but they may also lead to long term damaging effects. When used regularly, especially on paints, some have a tendency to lead to a condition known as “paint softening.” (This affects the natural hardness of the paint).
Teflon
Teflon (Commonly now referred to as a PTFE) is perceived to have mythical protective qualities in a polish formulation. This is based on its “slick” or NON STICK and heat resistant properties.
Scientifically this is absolutely correct in its true raw form which is as a POWDER or a solid on frying pans for example. The reality is, in order for Teflon to “stick” or “bond” to a surface, proprietary methods and techniques must be used to prepare the surface. Teflon can be suspended in a liquid state but requires extremely high solvent content to remain stable: solvents which are immediately damaging to petroleum based paints. Bottom line is: Teflon in a standard polish formulation has no added value in helping protect or repel harmful agents from the surface. It is actually totally inert as a chemical; therefore it is neither harming nor helping the surface.
