Extreme Weather and Its Impact on Coating's Durability

In today's world of unpredictable and extreme weather—scorching sun, heavy rain, and fluctuating humidity—paint and coating manufacturers face mounting pressure to ensure their products can withstand harsh environmental conditions. These climate challenges not only impact aesthetics but also compromise long-term performance and protection. To stay ahead, manufacturers need reliable testing methods that simulate years of exposure in a fraction of the time.

The Challenge of Ensuring Product Resilience 

The challenge for manufacturers is to ensure that their products can withstand these extreme conditions. Assessing product durability through extreme weathering tests is crucial, yet replicating such aggressive outdoor environments in a controlled testing setting poses significant difficulties. For coatings, particularly those used in outdoor applications, it’s essential to demonstrate their resilience to be classified as high-performance materials. Without rigorous testing, these products risk failing in real-world conditions, leading to costly repairs and dissatisfied customers 

How Decoral America Ensured Their Coatings' Durability

Partnering with Q-Lab for Reliable Testing

Decoral America, a Florida-based subsidiary of Decoral, an Italian company specializing in decorative coating systems, faced this challenge head-on. They aimed to have their product classified as a “High Performance Material” by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) to unlock new business opportunities. To achieve this, they needed to pass stringent weathering tests.

Decoral chose Q-Lab’s Florida outdoor testing services for their evaluations. Q-Lab Corporation, a global provider of material durability testing products since 1956, offered the expertise and facilities required. Decoral was already familiar with Q-Lab's quality through their Q-SUN xenon arc tester, making them a trusted partner for this endeavor.

Testing Description and Results

Decoral commissioned a five-year outdoor study at Q-Lab’s Homestead, FL facility. The test involved a south-facing 45° exposure to meet AAMA 2604 requirements. Twelve metal panels coated with Decoral’s wood-grain finish—their flagship product—were evaluated. Q-Lab conducted color, gloss, and visual evaluations (assessing dirt, mildew, chalk, and erosion) according to the test standards. The results were exceptional: zero failures and minimal fading, discoloration, and gloss loss.