PPG and AEP Span have partnered to protect and enhance Issaquah Middle School in Issaquah, Washington, with metal wall panels using DURANAR GR (graffiti-resistant) clear coating. PPG reported that it is the first school in the country to use the new coating, which features a proprietary formulation that PPG developed to combat a problem that costs U.S. building owners an estimated $25 billion per year.

Located near Seattle, Issaquah Middle School has a brick facade accented with PRESTIGE SERIES metal wall panels by AEP Span. The panels feature the company’s Cool Parchment DURA TECH polyvinylidende fluoride (PVDF) paint finish that is topped with the factory-applied Duranar GR clear coating.

Steve Crawford, director of capital projects, Issaquah School District, said Duranar GR coating is a sound investment. “While graffiti is not a significant issue in our school district, the graffiti-resistant coating was selected as a low-cost protection system to reduce potential damage and maintenance costs,” he explained.

David Ferrito, vice president of sales for AEP Span, said that the combination of Prestige Series wall panels and Duranar GR coatings gives building designers color versatility and graffiti control. “In addition to a beautiful design, architects now can offer their clients an affordable solution for maintaining an attractive and long-lasting building.”

Believed to be the only graffiti-resistant coating system sold and tested by the same company, Duranar GR coating features a clear, graffiti-resistant barrier over a metal building panel’s pigmented color layer. If a panel with the coating is spray-painted or otherwise marred, it can be cleaned by applying DURAPREP PREP 400 graffiti remover by PPG. After the remover is on the stain for 10 to 60 seconds, it can be wiped with a clean cloth or scrubbed with a nylon brush. Most stains can be removed in 10 minutes or less

When applied onsite on metal panels protected by Duranar GR clear coating, Duraprep Prep 400 graffiti remover eradicates graffiti as well as paint overspray, pen and marker ink, lipstick, scuff marks, tape residue, bugs, tar and many other substances that mar the appearance of buildings.

Prestige Series panels by AEP Span include four distinct concealed fastener wall panels that can be mixed and matched to offer design flexibility.