PPG delivers customised paint system for Williams F1

PPG’s automotive refinish business has devised a customised paint system that enables the Williams F1 Team to achieve an impressive 30 per cent reduction in the weight added to the car during the painting process when compared with the conventional painting process.


The weight of a Formula One car is vital in determining its lap times. “Formula One demands the best and expects excellence,” explains Gethyn Davies, Market Director PPG Automotive Refinish UK & Ireland.

“On every aspect of the car, from the electronics inside to the exterior paint, teams are always looking for materials that provide consistency and excel in performance. It speaks well for PPG’s quality that we and the Williams F1 Team are continuing our partnership for an impressive eleventh year.”

The PPG paint system designed for the team combines the use of a colour-matched primer to minimise the usage of the basecoat colour before clear coating. Using this process, the speed of paint application is increased in conjunction with a reduction in the total volume of the coatings. The lower film build also helps reduce the stone damage to the FW35 making the excellent finish more manageable throughout the season. The PPG paint process also makes local repairs easier, which is ideal for ‘flyaway’ races, when small repairs may be required after race cars are flown on transport planes.

Sir Frank Williams, Williams F1 Team Principal, commented; “PPG is a long-standing partner and very much a part of the Williams F1 Team family. Strong partners are fundamental to success in Formula One and together we are looking forward to the next season ahead.”