Slick Talk The right paint protects from the elements

Published 1 October 2025

PPG Industries Inc., Pittsburgh, offers a broad portfolio of marine coatings. PPG SIGMASHIELD® 880, a surface-tolerant, abrasion-resistant epoxy, is commonly used in a single coat. PPG Sigmashield 880GF adds glass flake for improved resistance to cracking and sagging – ideal for workboat decks, according to the manufacturer. PPG PSX® 700, a low-VOC polysiloxane-epoxy hybrid, offers UV protection and abrasion resistance, making it suitable for high-exposure areas.

For antifouling, PPGABC 3 is a self-polishing, organotin-free coating that helps reduce drag and meets IMO environmental standards. PPG NEXEON™ 810 offers copper-free antifouling in a similar self-polishing formula. PPG SIGMAGLIDE® 2390 is a biocide-free coating that uses HydroReset™ technology to form a smooth surface resistant to marine growth.

“It can deliver up to 35% emission reduction and enhance vessel energy efficiency,” said Josh Stinson, PPG commercial marine regional sales manager, protective and marine coatings.

PPG stands out in offering products like PPG Sigmaglide and PPG Nexeon that can be applied electrostatically — a process that directs charged paint particles to the grounded vessel surface, minimizing overspray and reducing waste.

For running gear, they offer PPG SIGMASHIELD® 1200, developed for ice-going vessels. The reinforced, solvent-free epoxy phenolic coating combines anti-corrosive properties with high polymer cross-link density to protect against gouging, abrasion, and mechanical stress. The newest addition to PPG’s Phenguard range, PPG PHENGUARD® 985, is a flexible coating that tolerates higher film thicknesses and can be applied in two or three coats, depending on the project.

Originally published in Workboat Magazine.