For the aircraft’s fuselage, tail and engine cowlings, Rex Airlines selected PPG DESOGEL EAP-9, which is a chromate-free conversion coating and adhesion promoter; PPG DESOPRIME CA7700BE epoxy primer; and PPG DESOTHANE HD 9008 basecoat-clearcoat system.

The wings and horizontal stabilisers were coated with PPG DESOTO 515X349 exterior primer, which is formulated to protect aluminium and composite substrates from corrosion; PPG PR-1432-GP corrosion-inhibitive elastomeric coating; and PPG Desothane HS CA8000 topcoat system.

“Rex Airlines applied PPG Desothane HD CA9008 basecoat-clearcoat system on our fleet of Saab 340 aircraft, which is the largest Saab fleet in the world,” said Png Yeow Tat, Rex Airlines general manager, engineering. “This innovative technology provides excellent colour and gloss retention and outstanding appearance compared to a direct gloss system, leading the airline to use this system and other PPG products on our B737 aircraft.”

Managed by parent company Regional Express, Rex Airlines is a long-standing PPG customer and the largest regional airline in Australia with more than 60 destinations. Despite being greatly impacted by the pandemic, the airline will commence domestic jet operations in March 2021, starting with services in the golden triangle of Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane.

“We are proud that Rex Airlines selected PPG’s innovative paint systems for its expanded fleet of narrow-body aircraft,” said Mark Ingram, PPG account manager, aerospace, Australia. “With our local manufacturing capabilities in Australia, we have the unmatched ability to meet the needs of regional companies like Rex Airlines and Douglas Aerospace, who assisted with the aircraft painting.”

PPG’s global aerospace business offers coatings, sealants, adhesives, transparencies, packaging and application systems, and transparent armour, as well as chemical management and other services.

www.ppgaerospace.com