Independent laboratory testing
FormulaU durability in an independent laboratory test
In an independent RISE test, FormulaU remained active through 14 wash cycles. MrCAP's report comparison equates this to approximately 182 conventional hand washes. Testing stopped with protection still active.
- 891
measurements
- 15
surface coatings
- ≈182
equivalent hand washes
- 14
laboratory wash cycles
THE MAIN RESULT
FormulaU remained active after approximately 182 equivalent hand washes
In the comparison, 10 competing products lost protection after the first cycle and two more after two cycles. One stronger competitor lasted approximately 9 laboratory cycles.
Both FormulaU™ coatings remained active after 14 laboratory cycles, equated to approximately 182 conventional hand washes.
The test ended with FormulaU protection still active after approximately 182 equivalent hand washes.
HOW WAS THE RESULT MEASURED?
Protection was measured after each laboratory wash cycle
The laboratory measured contact angles before coating, after curing and after each wash cycle.
In MrCAP's comparison, one laboratory cycle represented approximately 13 conventional hand washes. Protection was considered lost when measurements returned to the untreated surface's initial value.
TEST METHOD
Controlled laboratory conditions and repeated wash cycles
The aim was to compare coating resistance to wear and washing under conditions as comparable as possible.
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Test surfaces
Steel panels coated with automotive paint and red gelcoat-coated fibreglass panels representing marine surfaces were prepared.
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Coating application
Each coating was applied to prepared panels according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Wash cycle
Surfaces were treated with degreasers and rubbed using a standard wash sponge in a BYK-Gardner abrasion tester.
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Measurement
Contact angles were measured after each cycle until the protective effect was lost.
LABORATORY TEST RESULT
FormulaU protection remained active when testing ended
FormulaU completed 14 RISE laboratory wash cycles. In MrCAP's comparison, this represented approximately 182 conventional hand washes. The test ended while protection remained on the surface.
THREE TEST METHODS
Durability was assessed using several methods
Washing and abrasion resistance
Contact-angle measurements combined with cleaning agents and mechanical abrasion showed how long the protective surface remained effective.
Chemical resistance
Surfaces were exposed to sulphuric acid and sodium hydroxide and checked for changes in colour and gloss.
UV blocking
No significant difference between products was found in UV testing. The products contained little or no UV-blocking additives.
REPORT 3P07507 · 22 NOVEMBER 2016
An excerpt from the independent laboratory report
The comparison tested 15 coatings: 13 on automotive-painted steel panels and two on gelcoat-coated fibreglass panels.
Read the laboratory report summary
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Summary
Three products stood out in washing and contact-angle tests. FormulaU™ Car Paint Protection and FormulaU™ Marine Gelcoat Protection remained active through at least 14 laboratory cycles, equated to approximately 182 conventional hand washes. PPS Paint Sealant lasted approximately 9 cycles; the other products approximately 1–3 cycles.
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Wash cycle
One laboratory cycle consisted of 20 back-and-forth passes in an abrasion tester. The comparison used on MrCAP's page equated one cycle to approximately 13 conventional hand washes.
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Chemical resistance
All products withstood sulphuric acid without visible adverse effects. Sodium hydroxide results varied: some showed no changes, some lost gloss and some also changed colour.
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UV test
No significant difference between the products' UV-blocking properties was observed.
WASH CYCLE
The laboratory cycle simulated repeated hand washing
Before mechanical rubbing, panels were treated with solvent-based and alkaline degreasers, then rubbed with a continuously wetted standard wash sponge.
One laboratory cycle represented approximately 13 conventional hand washes in the comparison. FormulaU completed 14 cycles, giving an approximate equivalent of 182 hand washes.
TESTED PRODUCTS
15 coatings in one comparison
The gallery retains the product photographs used on the original SP report page.
FORMULAU CERAMIC
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