Arcmetal WB 140 Water-Based Direct-to-Metal Finish
A single-pack waterborne acrylic finish applied direct to prepared metal at 40 to 60 microns dry, for interior and sheltered work in shops limited by odour, solvent storage or extraction capacity. Guns, pots and lines are cleaned with water while the material is wet.
Grade Arcmetal WB 140 | Range General Metal Finishing | Technology Water-based single-pack acrylic
Technical Data Sheet
Arcmetal WB 140
Issue 2026.09
1. Product description
A single-pack waterborne acrylic finish applied direct to prepared metal at 40 to 60 microns dry, for interior and sheltered work in shops constrained by odour, solvent storage or extraction capacity. Guns, pots and lines are cleaned with water while the material is wet, which removes a solvent stream from the shop. It dries by water evaporation, so it is specified where air movement and relative humidity can be held within a working range and not where parts dry in a still, humid corner.
2. Features
- Waterborne, single-pack and direct to metal
- Equipment cleaned with water while the material is wet
- 40 to 60 microns dry in one coat
- Touch dry in 30 to 60 minutes at 30 degrees C and 60 per cent relative humidity
- VOC content of 50 to 150 g/l ready for use
3. Recommended uses
Interior and sheltered fabricated goods such as shelving, frames and enclosures, in shops where solvent use, odour or extraction is the constraint and air movement and humidity can be held within a working range.
Substrates. Bare mild steel prepared to ISO 8501-1 St 2 or better and coated the same day to avoid flash rust, zinc coated steel and aluminium after degreasing and abrading.
4. Typical properties
| Property | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Technology | Water-based single-pack acrylic | Formulation |
| Appearance and colour | Smooth, even film; colour to the reference ordered (RAL, BS 381C, BS 4800, an IS reference or a customer panel) | Visual, against the colour reference named |
| Carrier | Water | Formulation |
| Volume solids | 35 to 45 per cent | ISO 3233-1 |
| Viscosity as supplied | 60 to 100 s in a 6 mm flow cup at 23 degrees C | ISO 2431, cup orifice stated with every result |
| Dry film thickness per coat | 40 to 60 microns | ISO 2808 |
| Surface drying, air dry at 30 degrees C and 60 per cent relative humidity | Touch dry in 30 to 60 minutes | ISO 9117-3 |
| Adhesion | Cross-cut classification 0 to 1 on correctly prepared substrate | ISO 2409 cross-cut |
| Flexibility, cylindrical mandrel | No cracking over a 4 to 6 mm mandrel | ISO 1519 |
| VOC content, ready for use | 50 to 150 g/l | ISO 11890-2, gas-chromatographic method, with the basis (including or excluding water) stated with the result |
Typical values, not a specification. Values for each batch are given on its Certificate of Analysis.
5. Application
| Parameter | Guidance |
|---|---|
| Application method | Conventional, HVLP or airless spray, with stainless or otherwise corrosion resistant wetted parts. |
| Surface preparation | Degrease, then clean mild steel to ISO 8501-1 St 2 or better and coat it the same day to avoid flash rust; degrease and abrade zinc coated steel and aluminium. Apply with the substrate at least 3 degrees C above the dew point. |
| Thinning | Adjust only if needed, with clean water, to 20 to 25 s in a 4 mm flow cup at 23 degrees C (ISO 2431) for conventional and HVLP spray. |
| Film build | 40 to 60 microns dry in one coat; check wet film with a comb gauge to ISO 2808 during application. |
| Drying schedule | Air dry at 30 degrees C and 60 per cent relative humidity: touch dry in 30 to 60 minutes, handling strength in 4 to 8 hours. Keep air moving over the parts, as drying slows in still, humid air. Force dry: flash-off long enough to release the bulk of the water, then 30 minutes at 60 degrees C. |
| Cleaning | Clean guns, pots and lines with water before the material dries. |
Process. Conventional, HVLP or airless spray with stainless or otherwise corrosion resistant wetted parts; air dry, touch dry in 30 to 60 minutes, handling strength in 4 to 8 hours at 30 degrees C and 60 per cent relative humidity, or force dry 30 minutes at 60 degrees C after a flash-off long enough to release the bulk of the water. Protect from frost in storage.
6. Storage and handling
Store in the original containers, tightly closed, in a cool, dry, covered store, protected from frost and direct sun, and stir gently before use. Shelf life is stated on the label and Certificate of Analysis. Handle and use the product in line with its Safety Data Sheet.
7. Safety and regulatory information
Read the Safety Data Sheet before use. Safety Data Sheets and regulatory declarations are issued by our technical centre against the product and batch supplied, so they are sent on request rather than published. Request a Safety Data Sheet or declaration.
This Technical Data Sheet is published for on-screen reference. The information is given in good faith from laboratory and application experience and describes typical values; it is not a specification and does not replace a trial on your own substrate and line. Arctic Materials may revise this sheet without notice. Issue 2026.09.
Technical Data Sheets on this site are for on-screen viewing. For a controlled copy, write to tech@arcticmaterials.com.
Other grades in this range
Need a Safety Data Sheet, a regulatory declaration or a grade specified to your line? Contact our technical centre.