Description
VpCI®-386 is a fast-drying water-based acrylic topcoat applied direct to metal, with superior UV resistance. It can also be welded through — useful when fabrication is not finished before protection is needed. This is the aluminum-pigmented grade, which adds UV and abrasion resistance to the standard film, in a 4.5-gallon container covering roughly 1,000 to 1,175 sq ft at the recommended 1.0–2.5 mil film.
VpCI-386 is the coating Cortec puts on production lines and structural steel when the customer wants a permanent finish without a solvent-borne primer: one water-based acrylic, direct to metal, with a complex blend of organic inhibitors that Cortec says can compete with most paints and zinc-rich primers. Fabricators like it because it can be applied before welding is complete; the weld goes through the coating and the prep step disappears. It is used by military customers and comes in clear, white, black and an aluminum-pigmented grade for extra UV and abrasion resistance. In the Cortec Product Consultation Guide VpCI-386 is rated 4 (outside, uncovered storage) on carbon steel, stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, galvanized steel, copper, brass and solder; on aluminum, galvanized or plated substrates apply VpCI-373 wash primer first. At 0.7 lb/gal VOC it sits well under the 1 lb/gal Cortec quotes for its water-based coatings against more than 3 lb/gal for solvent-borne systems.
Typical applications
- Structural steel
- Production line finishing
- Weldable surfaces prior to welding
- Harsh outdoor unsheltered environments
- Direct-to-metal topcoat on fabricated equipment, frames and enclosures
- Substation, wind farm and utility equipment maintenance
- Forklift, trailer and mobile equipment refinishing
- Dip or spray coating of parts on an OEM paint line
- Topcoat over CorrVerter on previously rusted steel
How to apply VpCI-386
- Surface preparation. The substrate must be free of grease, oil, dirt, fingerprints, drawing compounds, rust inhibitors and anything else that would affect adhesion. Cortec recommends VpCI-440 or a similar phosphatizing pretreatment on production lines and a minimum of NACE No. 3 / SSPC-SP6 commercial blast on structural steel. On aluminum, galvanized or plated substrates apply VpCI-373 at 0.5 to 1.0 mil first and test adhesion before full-scale work.
- Mixing and dilution. Power-agitate to a uniform consistency with a squirrel-cage or drill mixer. VpCI-386 may be thinned with water up to 10 % by volume to adjust viscosity.
- Conditions. Apply between 45 and 90 °F (7 to 32 °C) with the surface at least 5 °F (2 °C) above the dew point. Water-based coatings want a clean surface and dry air; avoid falling temperatures and high humidity.
- Equipment. Spray, roll, brush or dip. HVLP or conventional spray: 0.009 to 0.021 in tip, 45 to 55 psi air and 10 psi fluid, 3/8 in ID fluid hose no longer than 50 ft, dual-regulated pot kept at gun height. Airless or air-assisted airless: 0.015 to 0.035 in tip, 1,800 to 2,500 psi, 3/8 in ID hose (a 1/4 in whip end is fine) no longer than 100 ft. Tip size depends on pressure and viscosity. Cortec also runs VpCI-386 as a dip coat on production lines.
- Film build. Apply 1.0 to 2.5 mils (25 to 62.5 µm) dry per coat. Cortec lists a theoretical spread rate of 224 to 261 sq ft per gallon at that film for the aluminum-pigmented grade.
- Drying. Dry to touch in about 30 minutes at 77 °F (25 °C). Full cure takes 7 days at 77 °F and 55% RH. Apply at 55 °F (13 °C) or warmer.
- Welding. Weld through the dry film as required; no stripping of the weld zone is needed.
- Cleanup. Clean tools with water while wet; once dry use butyl cellosolve or MEK, following the solvent manufacturer’s safety directions.
- Storage. Keep the container sealed, do not let it freeze and do not store above 100 °F (38 °C).
- See the Cortec coatings application guides and comparison table for the shared spray, prep and storage instructions across the Cortec coating range.
Where it fits in the Cortec line
VpCI-386 is sold in clear, white, black and aluminum. EcoShield 386 is a separate Cortec product number with its own data sheet and lower published figures. Compared with its siblings, VpCI-375 is the one-coat acrylic with the highest published salt spray, VpCI-395 the two-component water-based epoxy primer for immersion service, VpCI-396 the moisture-cure urethane for marginally prepared steel and VpCI-371 the coating for hot surfaces. For a removable film that is also weldable, use VpCI-391 instead. For rusted steel that cannot be blasted, derust with VpCI-422 or convert the rust with CorrVerter and topcoat with VpCI-386; where blasting is possible, an abrasive blast room gets you to SSPC-SP6 fastest. Browse the full Cortec VpCI line.
Field notes
An Illinois refrigeration-coil maker’s solvent-based paint smelled, posed health hazards and under-performed on corrosion. The coils are now lowered into a large circulating dip tank of VpCI-386, covered when idle, for better corrosion performance, lower VOC and a safer shop. (Cortec Case History #616)
A Spooner, Wisconsin aerosol filler had rusting tanks and piping feeding its line, and NFPA rules require tank farms be protected from corrosion. The crew degreased with VpCI-415, pressure-washed, brushed CorrVerter on the rusted areas and sprayed VpCI-386 White as the topcoat, finishing four tanks and 200 ft of piping in about three days. (Cortec Case History #365)
A Texas tube mill needed a clear zero-VOC OD coating at 1 mil that force-dries fast enough for electronic stenciling. In four trials from October 2020 to June 2022, EcoShield VpCI-386 FD was applied at 1.0 to 1.2 mils after hydrotest and force-dried 22 minutes at 140 °F; several hundred pipes sat a year in a Gulf Coast yard with 5B adhesion and no OD rust, at 0.04 lb per gallon (5 g per L) VOC. (Cortec Case History #783)
Watch: Cortec coatings technology
Video by Cortec Corporation.
Specifications
| Salt spray (ASTM B117) | 300 hours on carbon steel at 1.5–2.0 mils; 1,000+ hours on aluminum |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 1,000+ hours on carbon steel and on aluminum |
| VOC | 1.27 lb/gal (152 g/L) |
| Non-volatile content | 35–40% |
| Recommended DFT | 1.0–2.5 mils per coat (25–62.5 µm) |
| Coverage | 224–261 ft²/gal at 1.0–2.5 mils (5.2–14 m²/L) |
| Appearance | Medium grey aluminum (limited colors on request) |
| Surface prep | VpCI-440 phosphatizing pre-treatment on production lines; NACE #3/SSPC-SP6 commercial blast on structural steel |
| Shelf life | 12 months |
| Type | Water-based acrylic primer/topcoat with aluminum platelet pigment and organic inhibitors, direct to metal, high anti-abrasion; permanent coating |
| Color | Aluminum |
| pH | 8.5–9.5 (neat) |
| Viscosity | 700–3,000 cPs (6 rpm, #3 spindle) |
| Weight per gallon | 8.4–9.0 lb (1.01–1.08 kg/L) |
| Flash point | Non-flammable, water-based |
| Temperature resistance (fully cured) | −150 to 350 °F (−78 to 180 °C) |
| Adhesion | 5B |
| Dilution | Water, up to 10% by volume |
| Dry to touch | 30 minutes at 77 °F (25 °C) |
| Recoat | 1–72 hr; sand thereafter |
| Force dry | 15–20 min at 150 °F (65 °C) |
| Full cure | 7 days at 77 °F (25 °C), 55% RH |
| Wash primer | VpCI-373 at 0.5–1.0 mil on aluminum, galvanized or plated substrates |
| Application temperature | 45–90 °F (7–32 °C), minimum 55 °F (13 °C); surface 5 °F above dew point |
| Metals | Carbon steel, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper |
| Consultation guide rating | 4 – outside, uncovered storage |
| Storage | Keep from freezing; avoid storage above 75 °F (24 °C) |
| Size | 4.5 Gallon |
| Shipping weight | 46 lb (20.9 kg) |
| Availability | In stock |
| Cortec product number | 12400508 |
Solvent Recycling Systems is an authorized Cortec® distributor. See the full Cortec VpCI line, browse the VpCI product selection guide, or contact us for volume pricing and lead times.
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