Why this test matters
Coatings and finished surfaces come into contact with all kinds of chemicals during their lifetime: cleaning agents, solvents, fuels, oils, or even the products used during manufacturing itself. When a coating isn't resistant to what it actually encounters, the result is discoloration, softening, swelling, or loss of adhesion, sometimes within minutes of contact. The chemical resistance test shows you in advance how your coating or finish holds up against specific chemicals, so problems surface in the lab instead of in a customer complaint. This matters most for any company applying a coating, primer, or finish that needs to survive cleaning, handling, or a demanding chemical environment, and for confirming that a coating has properly cured before it goes into service.
How the test works
We offer two ways to test chemical resistance, depending on what you need to know. In the spot test, a small amount of the chemical is placed on the coated surface and covered with a glass disc, then left in contact for a set period, from a few minutes up to a full day, before we examine its effect on the surface. For coatings that need to reach a certain degree of cure before they can be handled or topcoated, we use the MEK rub test: a cloth soaked in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is rubbed back and forth across the surface, and we count exactly how many rubs the coating withstands before it fails. Both tests use chemicals and exposure conditions chosen to match how your product will actually be used.
What you learn from this test
From the spot test, you get a clear picture of how your coating reacts to a specific chemical: whether it discolors, softens, blisters, or loses its bond to the substrate, and how fast. From the MEK rub test, you receive a precise rub count that tells you whether your coating has cured enough to perform as intended. Together, these results let you confirm a coating is ready for use, compare formulations, or demonstrate to a customer or auditor that your product resists the chemicals it will actually meet in the field. It turns "we think it's fine" into a number and an observation you can stand behind.
