PPG says Navistarās CatalIST was named for serving as the catalyst for significant improvements in future commercial trucks, with -IST standing for International SuperTruck, the truckās brandāexceeded DOE expectations on multiple fronts. The truck also impressed DOE personnel with its bold, advanced PPG paint job.
The SuperTruck program, a federal initiative for developing cost-effective technologies to dramatically increase the freight efficiency of tomorrowās Class 8 trucks, has produced a model that has already had an impact on the future of the trucking industry.
According to PPG, Navistar turned to PPG and Gerber Collision and Glass of Grand Rapids, Mich., for the SuperTruckās high-tech, forward-looking appearance. PPG training center manager Jamie Redd, Gerber fleet manager Fred HonorĆ© II, painters Chris Mayernick and Chris āStorm Trooperā Moore, and body lead Jim Berens worked under a tight deadline to bring it all together.
The truckās topcoat scheme features DELFLEET Evolution paint system orange tricoat in FBC with F3921 clearcoat. The gray on the trailerāFBC with a flattened F3921 clearāwas painted to match the flattened gray film on the skirts, the company says.
āThis was a fantastic accomplishment with a quick, demanding turnaround,ā says J.J. Wirth, commercial coatings brand manager for PPG. āThere was a lot riding on CatalIST, and its finish had to be as exceptional and innovative as the technology driving it.ā