COMBINED TECHNOLOGIES RESULT IN AN ALL-NEW BODY COATING SYSTEM FOR THE F1’S CARBON COMPOSITE OUTER SHELL
A genuine jewel is worth cherishing. To preserve the McLaren F1, its creators have collaborated with Sonneborn & Rieck Ltd to develop high-technology coatings and finishes for its advanced composites body. Exacting standards were set to meet the most stringent international demands in both product quality and technical performance while also ensuring that the products in question are environmentally compatible. This programme has resulted in a finish whose quality is outstanding.
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Sonneborn & Rieck is a British company and world leader specialising in the development and manufacture of high technology coatings and paints for the automotive industry.
For the first time, S&R and McLaren Cars have worked together to combine technologies which result in an all-new body coating system for the carbon composite outer shell of the F1.
This material places new demands upon the composition, adherence and elasticity of paint films. Complete adhesion is vital, yet conventional petro-chemical based treatments can potentially degrade the car’s composite surface to which they are applied, as well as being environmentally harmful. S&R is now perfecting entirely new patented coatings combined with water-based paint technology in a major step towards the elimination of petro-chemical solvent use. Some of the coatings use 100 per cent ‘solids’ formulae which have no thinning agent to evaporate and effect the environment during application.
These new processes offer better durability, high abrasion and scratch resistance and minimise colour degradation. They already exceed international environmental standards due to be enforced in 1998, while still matching the high performance of conventional products.
By Adopting this technology – ideal for applications to an advanced composites production car – S&R and McLaren Cars are breaking entirely new ground.
