Final Coat
PPG donates coatings for QantansLink’s
breast cancer awareness campaign
Aplane with custom pink coatings created and donated by
PPG Industries’ aerospace business is flying across
Australian skies to help QantasLink promote breast cancer awareness in the country’s regional and remote areas.
More than 50 kilograms (about 44 gallons) of primer and topcoat, including two shades of pink specially matched to signature colors of Australia’s National Breast Cancer Foundation,
were provided by PPG Aerospace’s Tullamarine application
support center. The donated coatings, which also included
QantasLink’s red, white and black livery colors, would have
cost approximately $18,000 (AU$20,000).
“When we heard of QantasLink’s project to increase public knowledge about the importance of early breast cancer
detection, we were excited to be part of it,” said Anne
Neeson, PPG business manager. “The size and remoteness
of some areas of Australia make it difficult to get a message
across the country. QantasLink’s plan to fly a promotional
aircraft in striking pink colors was brilliant, and it is an
honor for PPG to be part of the effort. PPG’s high-performance aerospace coatings give QantasLink’s Pink Lady a dra-
matic appearance fitting its purpose.”
PPG’s Tullamarine application support center worked
with Rob Tassini, QantasLink engineering manager, to set
up PPG’s sponsorship. The Bombardier Q400 airplane was
painted in secrecy and kept under wraps until its launch on
national television in Australia.
“The PPG coatings team at the application support center
led by operations manager, Paris Tzambazis did a fantastic job
matching and supplying the special colors in the time available,” Neeson said.
“This Desoprime primer achieves an exceptionally smooth
surface, so the topcoat has a superior distinctness of image,”
Neeson said. “And Desothane HS CA8800 polyurethane topcoat can be buffed after application, giving the plane a beautiful high-gloss appearance with lasting durability.”
QantasLink will fly the pink Bombardier Q400 aircraft
throughout its network in Australia until October 2008 as
part of its partnership with the National Breast Cancer
Foundation. The airline plans various fund-raising promotions to benefit the organization as well. CW
Special pink coatings were created for QantasLink’s Bombardier Q400 ‘Pink Lady’ to promote breast cancer
awareness. PPG’s aerospace business supplied Desoprime HS CA7700 epoxy primer and Desothane HS CA8800
polyurethane topcoat to give the plane a smooth, glossy appearance. Both primer and topcoat have a higher percentage of solids than traditional coatings to reduce material usage and, therefore, weight on the aircraft for
better fuel efficiency. The PPG coatings are also environmentally responsible, with a lower solvent percentage
for reduced VOC emissions during application.
