Global paints and coatings leader PPG Industries has launched a new generation of waterborne shop primers designed to protect structural steel while accelerating production for fabricators.

 

The company announced the debut of PPG Aquacron Waterborne Shop Primers, a coating engineered for structural steel components that combines rapid curing, a smoother finish and low volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The new technology is designed to perform across a wide range of climates—an advantage that sets it apart from existing waterborne primers.

 

Applied in factories, the primers protect steel beams, purlins, joists and framing from flash rust and corrosion that often develop at job sites, particularly when materials are stored outdoors. The coating forms a water-resistant layer that reduces the need for sandblasting and surface preparation before top-coat application and installation, helping manufacturers cut time, labor and costs.

 

“Developing a lower-VOC, faster-drying formulation with a smoother finish and adaptable across environmental conditions is a benchmark achievement in waterborne primers,” said Brian Smith, PPG business manager, liquid coatings, Industrial Coatings.

 

Traditional waterborne primers can take 12 to 24 hours to fully cure and are susceptible to surface defects. By contrast, Aquacron WSP primers cure in about two minutes under standard heat while delivering a smoother finish—giving high-volume steel fabricators the ability to increase throughput and reduce the floor space required for drying and curing before shipping.

 

The primers also produce VOC emissions comparable to standard residential-grade paints and maintain stability under varying temperature and humidity conditions. These characteristics help fabricators meet tightening emissions regulations while simplifying sourcing by eliminating the need for climate-specific primers.

 

The launch underscores PPG’s ongoing push to develop coatings that improve durability, performance and operational efficiency while reducing environmental impact.