Airbus starts painting first A380 for Singapore Airlines

Citation

(2007), "Airbus starts painting first A380 for Singapore Airlines", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 36 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2007.12936dab.031

Airbus starts painting first A380 for Singapore Airlines

Airbus starts painting first A380 for Singapore Airlines

Following timely completion of the cabin installation of the first A380 for Singapore Airlines, Airbus has started the paintwork on this aircraft. The A380 will stay about three weeks in the company's paint-shop in Hamburg/ Germany. In addition to the actual painting, most of the other work in the paint-shop is cleaning, grinding, masking and unmasking the 3,100m² of surface of the A380. About 3,600l of chromate-free paint is used for three layers of paint (primer, customer-paint, top-coat). Only 600- 1,000kg of paint stays on the aircraft. Each layer is only measuring about 0.120mm and is able to withstand differences in temperatures of about 1008C. Airbus is applying the most modern and environmental friendly techniques for the A380 painting process. Electrostatic pistols are used to minimize paint mist. Used air is cleaned and washed through a multi- stage cleaning process to ensure that paint particles are disposed separately. A380 launch customer Singapore Airlines is to take delivery of its first A380 in October this year. A380 launch customer Singapore Airlines is to take delivery of its first A380 in October this year.