The Importance of Polyurethane Topcoats: Spotlight on PPG Deft 03-GY-444

The most deadly enemy to all aircraft is corrosion. Corrosion is the silent killer that can render an aircraft useless if it is not caught in time or advances too far. The best defense against corrosion is high-quality paint. Paint does a lot more than just look good; it protects the skin and associated control surfaces from the worst that the weather can throw at them. 

Today, we will examine PPG Deft 03-GY-444, a standard polyurethane topcoat that meets MIL-PRF-85285 compliance and can be applied to various military aircraft to provide protection and camouflage. 

Understanding Polyurethane Topcoats in Military and Aviation Use

Polyurethane topcoats play a crucial role in the performance and longevity of military and aviation assets. Coatings like PPG’s Deft 03-GY-444 meet specifications such as MIL-PRF-85285E Type I, Class H for high durability, chemical resistance, and environmental protection. 

Designed for exterior aircraft surfaces, these topcoats protect against corrosion, UV degradation, and operational wear from harsh conditions like salt spray, hydraulic fluids, jet fuel, and extreme temperatures. With excellent gloss retention and color stability, polyurethane topcoats also maintain visual identification standards and reduce long-term maintenance costs.

PPG’s Deft 03-GY-444 is a high solids, 2K polyurethane topcoat that meets the performance expected in defense and aerospace. As a Federal Standard color (FS #16251), it’s used on aircraft that require a glossy gray finish that meets military camouflage and visibility requirements. The coating cures chemically and is compatible with various primers and application systems, making it suitable for OEMs and MROs. 

Its compliance with MIL-PRF-85285E means protective performance and compliance with federal procurement requirements, making it a trusted choice for military contractors and aviation maintenance professionals.

What Makes PPG Deft 03-GY-444 Stand Out?

As with most MIL-PRF items, a military performance standard defines the specific salient characteristics of the item, and then commercial products are developed that conform to these standards. Of course, these products are not necessarily explicitly created for the military, since the demands of military greases, lubricants, and even paints are not especially different from those of commercial aircraft, unless it is for something that is military-specific, like offensive and defensive avionics suites, and so on. 

PPG Deft 03-GY-444 is a gloss gray topcoat and will only be used on aircraft that are approved for that color and shade. Here is a quick product breakdown of what product detail means:

PPG: The company name. PPG Industries is a major global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials.

Deft®: A PPG brand known for high-performance aerospace and military coatings. Deft products are commonly used by the U.S. Department of Defense and aerospace OEMs.

03-GY-444: This is the color code and finish designation.

  • 03 generally refers to a gloss level (low gloss or semi-gloss).

  • GY stands for gray, the color family.

  • 444 is the shade code within that color family, typically used in MIL-SPEC (military specification) or aerospace standards.

Meeting Military Specifications: MIL-PRF-85285 Compliance

MIL-PRF-85285 is not a specification that applies specifically to PPG Deft® 03-GY-444, since that refers to one single shade and color of paint. It applies to many different paints and is an overview of the specifications that they must meet to be used in areas of aircraft that call for MIL-PRF-85285 paints. 

Application Use Cases in Federal and DoD Aviation

Alright, so where is PPG Deft ® 03-GY-444 used? Anywhere that calls for that specific color and shade. Every single aircraft in the inventory has a particular pattern and colors that must be used, and they are very, very specific. They are not to be altered. 

But, anywhere that a MIL-PRF-85285 rated paint in the color/shade 03-GY-444 is called for, PPG Deft ® topcoats are a great choice. 

Shelf Life, Packaging, and Storage Considerations

PPG Deft polyurethane topcoats have a shelf life of 12 months from the date of manufacture, so be sure to order them within a timeframe that allows for use within a year. 

You will want to store it at temperatures between 5°C and 35°C (41°F to 95°F), and keep it in a properly ventilated paint room or HAZMAT storage locker. 

Why Procurement Officers Choose PPG Deft Topcoats

Color matching is essential when painting a fleet of aircraft that requires a uniform appearance. PPG prides itself on color matching, so you know that your topcoat will match your fleet jets. PPG coatings are designed with the military user in mind, where second-best is an unacceptable standard. Whether it is getting sprayed with salty sea air in the Mediterranean or coated with snow and ice in central Alaska, PPG topcoats are up to protect your assets. 

Government Procurement with Greenwood Aerospace

Greenwood Aerospace is your trusted partner in the government procurement industry. With over forty years of experience, we have worked on just about every procurement project you can imagine. 

We pride ourselves on fast, efficient procurement support for customers of every size, from the most minor parts to large fixed-wing aircraft. Our clients include all branches of the U.S. Military, NOAA, the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy, and the largest defense contractors in the United States. We have decades of experience providing rapid, reliable service to keep your program on track. 

Our network of partners is expansive, and we can source almost any proprietary or aftermarket part you need. We also own a 42,000 sq. foot warehouse that allows us to store your parts after we procure them and ship them on demand. 

We use our proprietary software, the Greenwood Parts Procurement Intelligence Program, to obtain up-to-date information on parts inventories worldwide.

GPIQ makes sure suppliers undergo rigorous onboarding and qualification testing and provide vital information about their past performance. It may seem like MRO software, but our GPIQ is not aviation maintenance software. No, it’s much more than that.

Aircraft maintenance is essential, but many reasonable solutions already exist for it. We wanted to build a system with our own money that provides real-time visibility and data accuracy.

We want to know that every supplier that comes through our doors has been vetted; we know exactly their past performance, how they operate, and where they sit in the industry.

Our GPIQ system simplifies and automates laborious tasks to create a fast, efficient, and nearly error-free supply chain process. Predictive analytics forecasts future demand to manage supplier risk.

Greenwood Aerospace is committed to delivering customer satisfaction through high-quality products, on-time delivery, and exceptional customer service.
Greenwood Aerospace is AS9120B certified, so that we can be your supply chain partner. We work closely with our customers to monitor and implement new industry requirements, ensuring the integrity of the products and services we deliver.

Greenwood Aerospace is an award-winning, small, Native American-owned HubZone business with corporate offices in Ponca City, Oklahoma. We are recognized for being a fast, innovative, and agile provider of aerospace solutions. We are proud to be a trusted partner to the US Government and some of the largest Defense Contractors in the United States for all your aerospace and facility needs!

Protecting Mission-Critical Assets with the Right Topcoat

Aircraft paints are the first line of defense against corrosion, and corrosion will destroy aircraft. We recommend PPG products, specifically PPG Deft polyurethane topcoats. PPG top coats are manufactured to a high standard for precise color matching, exceptional durability, and long-lasting performance. 

Greenwood Aerospace is your trusted partner in procuring PPG Deft ® topcoat polyurethane products. We currently offer PPG Deft ® 03-GY-444 polyurethane topcoats in a 1:1 gallon kit. Check in with us to get the best price and determine what quantity you need. 

Greenwood Aerospace is a U.S. Department of State ITAR-registered company, enabling us to partner with large defense contractors on various military initiatives involving the export of ITAR-controlled items.

  • UEI: KVSUYYSJS174
  • DUNS: 604006874
  • Cage Code: 2Y735
  • ITAR DDTC Export Compliant
  • AS9120B QMS Certified
  • NAICS: 488190, 336413, 332722, 336411, 336413, 481212, 532411

If you have any questions about what we offer or stock, call us at (580) 762-2580 or email us at contact@governmentprocurement.com.