ASTM D6486-23

Standard Practice for Short Term Vehicle Service Exposure of Automotive Coatings

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Since the exposure of automotive coatings to the various mechanical and chemical stresses encountered in actual operations, is very opportunistic, obtaining statistically significant data from which valid conclusions can be drawn, requires rigorous attention to the experimental designs and conditions of exposure.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the protocol for vehicle service exposure testing of automotive coatings. Such exposure testing is valuable for the verification of the performance of automotive coatings and correlation with laboratory test data. Vehicle service exposure is intended to provide short term (2 to 20 weeks) exposure to the stress factors associated with vehicle operation. Factors included are scratch, mar, impact, stone chipping, insect impact, bird dropping, tree sap and staining, environmental fallout, etc.
Note 1: Vehicle service exposure is not intended to provide the conditions that are needed for characterizing the long term effects of weathering or corrosion exposure.  
1.2 The exposure conditions are produced by the placement of multiple test panels of automotive finishes on automotive test fleets that traverse a defined road course. Exposure to the operating environment can be 20 h/day, 7 days/week allowing for accumulation of over 100 000 miles in 10 weeks of exposure.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2023
• ICS: 87.040 - Paints and varnishes
• Technical Committee: D01 - Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications
• Drafting Committee: D01.55 - Factory Applied Coatings on Preformed Products

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D5767-18(2023) - Standard Test Method for Instrumental Measurement of Distinctness-of-Image (DOI) Gloss of Coated Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D1005-95(2020) - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thickness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5767-18 - Standard Test Method for Instrumental Measurement of Distinctness-of-Image (DOI) Gloss of Coated Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2018
• Refers: ASTM D823-17 - Standard Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness of Paint, Varnish, and Related Products on Test Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2017
• Refers: ASTM D5767-17 - Standard Test Method for Instrumental Measurement of Distinctness-of-Image (DOI) Gloss of Coated Surfaces
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2017
• Refers: ASTM D523-14 - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2014
• Refers: ASTM D823-95(2012) - Standard Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness of Paint, Varnish, and Related Products on Test Panels
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2012
• Refers: ASTM D3170-12 - Standard Test Method for Chipping Resistance of Coatings
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM D5767-95(2012) - Standard Test Methods for Instrumental Measurement of Distinctness-of-Image Gloss of Coating Surfaces
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2012
• Refers: ASTM D609-00(2012) - Standard Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and Related Coating Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM D7091-12 - Standard Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to Ferrous Metals and Nonmagnetic, Nonconductive Coatings Applied to Non-Ferrous Metals
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2012
• Refers: ASTM D714-02(2009) - Standard Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Refers: ASTM D3359-09e1 - Standard Test Methods for Measuring Adhesion by Tape Test
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2009
• Refers: ASTM D523-08 - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2008
• Refers: ASTM D523-89(2008) - Standard Test Method for Specular Gloss
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008

Overview

ASTM D6486-23: Standard Practice for Short Term Vehicle Service Exposure of Automotive Coatings provides a recognized protocol for evaluating the performance of automotive coatings under simulated short-term vehicle service conditions. Developed by ASTM International, this practice plays a vital role in bridging the gap between laboratory-based assessments and real-world performance. It is designed for use with coatings applied to test panels mounted on vehicle fleets that are then driven along specific road courses to expose the panels to stresses encountered during actual vehicle operation.

By subjecting coatings to scratch, mar, impact, stone chipping, insect impact, bird dropping, tree sap, staining, and similar influences, this standard supports manufacturers in verifying product durability, and in correlating real-world results with laboratory data. The exposure period is intended for 2 to 20 weeks, making it ideal for timely product development and validation cycles.

Key Topics

• Short-Term Vehicle Exposure: Focused on exposing automotive coatings to a variety of mechanical and chemical stresses, including brief but intense real-world driving and environmental factors.
• Testing Protocols: Includes preparation, mounting, and exposure of coated panels on test vehicle fleets, with guidance for ensuring repeatable and meaningful results through controlled experimental design and randomized positioning.
• Stress Factors: Addresses surface challenges including scratch, mar, impact, stone chipping, insect and environmental impacts, as well as staining and etching.
• Performance Evaluation: Outlines the assessment of critical coating properties post-exposure, such as gloss, distinctness of image (DOI), adhesion, chipping, cracking, and blistering.
• Relative Performance: Results allow comparison of test coatings versus control coatings but are not intended to provide absolute rankings.
• Limitations: The standard is not suitable for long-term weathering or corrosion testing, focusing solely on short-term, high-intensity vehicle service conditions.

Applications

• Automotive Coating Development: Suitable for coating manufacturers, automotive OEMs, and research laboratories seeking to validate the durability and resistance of new or existing automotive coatings under real-world conditions.
• Quality Control: Supports quality assurance for factory-applied coatings and refinishing suppliers, ensuring that products meet minimum performance criteria in environments reflective of consumer use.
• Benchmarking and Product Comparison: Enables objective, side-by-side comparisons of different coatings against control samples to refine formulations or demonstrate superiority.
• Fleet Testing: Can be integrated with existing vehicle test fleets, particularly those operated to comply with U.S. Federal tire wear rating regulations.

Related Standards

Several ASTM and federal standards are referenced within ASTM D6486-23, providing methods and guidance for specific aspects of coatings assessment:

• ASTM D523 - Test Method for Specular Gloss
• ASTM D714 - Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints
• ASTM D3170 - Chipping Resistance of Coatings
• ASTM D3359 - Rating Adhesion by Tape Test
• ASTM D5767 - Instrumental Measurement of Distinctness-of-Image (DOI) Gloss
• ASTM D609 & D823 - Preparation and uniform application of coatings on test panels
• ASTM D7091 & D1005 - Nondestructive and micrometer-based measurement of dry film thickness
• U.S. DOT NHTSA Reg. #49 CFR Part 575 - Federal tire wear testing requirements relevant to vehicle fleet operations

Keywords: ASTM D6486, automotive coatings, vehicle service exposure, short-term exposure testing, coatings performance, road hazards, paint durability, stone chipping, environmental exposure testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6486 − 23
Standard Practice for
Short Term Vehicle Service Exposure of Automotive
Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6486; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice covers the protocol for vehicle service
D523 Test Method for Specular Gloss
exposure testing of automotive coatings. Such exposure testing
D609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels
is valuable for the verification of the performance of automo-
for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and
tive coatings and correlation with laboratory test data. Vehicle
Related Coating Products
service exposure is intended to provide short term (2 to 20
D714 Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Blistering of
weeks) exposure to the stress factors associated with vehicle
Paints
operation. Factors included are scratch, mar, impact, stone
D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness
chipping, insect impact, bird dropping, tree sap and staining,
of Paint, Coatings and Related Products on Test Panels
environmental fallout, etc.
D1005 Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thick-
NOTE 1—Vehicle service exposure is not intended to provide the
ness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers
conditions that are needed for characterizing the long term effects of
D1400 Test Method for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry
weathering or corrosion exposure.
Film Thickness of Nonconductive Coatings Applied to a
1.2 The exposure conditions are produced by the placement
Nonferrous Metal Base (Withdrawn 2006)
of multiple test panels of automotive finishes on automotive
D3170 Test Method for Chipping Resistance of Coatings
test fleets that traverse a defined road course. Exposure to the
D3359 Test Methods for Rating Adhesion by Tape Test
operating environment can be 20 h/day, 7 days/week allowing
D5767 Test Method for Instrumental Measurement of
for accumulation of over 100 000 miles in 10 weeks of
Distinctness-of-Image (DOI) Gloss of Coated Surfaces
exposure.
D7091 Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry
Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Ferrous Metals and Nonmagnetic, Nonconductive Coat-
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
ings Applied to Non-Ferrous Metals
only.
2.2 U.S. Federal Standard:
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 4
DOT NHTSA Reg. #49 CFR Part 575
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3. Terminology
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.1 blistering, n—formation in the film of dome-shaped,
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
liquid- or gas-filled projections resulting from local loss of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
adhesion and lifting of the film from the previously applied
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
coating or the substrate.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and the ASTM website.
Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Subcommittee D01.55 on Factory Applied Coatings on Preformed Products. www.astm.org.
Current edition approved July 1, 2023. Published July 2023. Originally approved Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents,
in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D6486 – 01 (2017). DOI: 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
10.1520/D6486-23. www.access.gpo.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6486 − 23
3.1.2 chipping, n—removal of a coating, usually in small 7.1.4 All coatings must be exposed to the maximum prob-
pieces, resulting from impact by hard objects or from wear ability of stresses in the shortest possible time. The selection of
during service. the specific road course to be traversed controls this require-
ment.
3.1.3 cracking, n—formation of breaks in a film that extend
7.1.5 A sufficient number of vehicles, operating under
through to the underlying surface.
identical controlled conditions must be available, to allow for
3.1.4 distinctness-of-image-gloss, n—aspect of gloss char-
maximum exposure and minimum vehicle operational prob-
acterized by the sharpness of images of objects produced by
lems.
reflection at a surface.
7.1.6 The selection of the operational environment must be
3.1.5 gloss, n—angular selectivity of reflectance, involving
chosen to ensure the highest probability of exposure to the
surface-reflected light, responsible for the degree to which stress of interest.
reflected highlights or images of objects may be seen as
7.2 The fleet operating environment should be defined to
superimposed on a surface.
optimize the stress factors of interest. Examples are; gravel/
3.1.6 staining, n—discoloration, arising from foreign
unpaved road segments to evaluate stone chipping, mechanical
materials, that penetrates into the coating. car washing after dust road travel to evaluate mar resistance,
operation during insect season to evaluate insect impact, etc.
4. Significance and Use
8. Procedure
4.1 Since the exposure of automotive coatings to the various
mechanical and chemical stresses encountered in actual 8.1 Prepare a minimum of two test panels per specimen
operations, is very opportunistic, obtaining statistically signifi- rack, in accordance with the coatings manufacturers
cant data from which valid conclusions can be drawn, requires specifications, for the coatings to be evaluated. Prepare the test
rigorous attention to the experimental designs and conditions panels as described in Practices D609 or D823. The coating
of exposure. film thickness should
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6486 − 01 (Reapproved 2017) D6486 − 23
Standard Practice for
Short Term Vehicle Service Exposure of Automotive
Coatings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6486; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers the protocol for vehicle service exposure testing of automotive coatings. Such exposure testing is valuable
for the verification of the performance of automotive coatings and correlation with laboratory test data. Vehicle service exposure
is intended to provide short term (2 to 20 weeks) exposure to the stress factors associated with vehicle operation. Factors included
are scratch, mar, impact, stone chipping, insect impact, bird dropping, tree sap and staining, environmental fallout, etc.
NOTE 1—Vehicle service exposure is not intended to provide the conditions that are needed for characterizing the long term effects of weathering or
corrosion exposure.
1.2 The exposure conditions are produced by the placement of multiple test panels of automotive finishes on automotive test fleets
that traverse a defined road course. Exposure to the operating environment can be 20 h/day, 7 days/week allowing for accumulation
of over 100 000 miles in 10 weeks of exposure.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D523 Test Method for Specular Gloss
D609 Practice for Preparation of Cold-Rolled Steel Panels for Testing Paint, Varnish, Conversion Coatings, and Related Coating
Products
D714 Test Method for Evaluating Degree of Blistering of Paints
D823 Practices for Producing Films of Uniform Thickness of Paint, Coatings and Related Products on Test Panels
D1005 Test Method for Measurement of Dry-Film Thickness of Organic Coatings Using Micrometers
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials, and Applications and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee D01.55 on Factory Applied Coatings on Preformed Products.
Current edition approved June 1, 2017July 1, 2023. Published June 2017July 2023. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20112017 as
D6486 – 01 (2011).(2017). DOI: 10.1520/D6486-01R17.10.1520/D6486-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6486 − 23
D1186 Test Methods for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to a Ferrous
Base (Withdrawn 2006)
D1400 Test Method for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Nonconductive Coatings Applied to a
Nonferrous Metal Base (Withdrawn 2006)
D3170 Test Method for Chipping Resistance of Coatings
D3359 Test Methods for Rating Adhesion by Tape Test
D5767 Test Method for Instrumental Measurement of Distinctness-of-Image (DOI) Gloss of Coated Surfaces
D7091 Practice for Nondestructive Measurement of Dry Film Thickness of Nonmagnetic Coatings Applied to Ferrous Metals
and Nonmagnetic, Nonconductive Coatings Applied to Non-Ferrous Metals
2.2 U.S. Federal Standard:
DOT NHTSA Reg. #49 CFR Part 575
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 blistering, n—formation in the film of dome-shaped, liquid- or gas-filled projections resulting from local loss of adhesion
and lifting of the film from the previously applied coating or the substrate.
3.1.2 chipping, n—removal of a coating, usually in small pieces, resulting from impact by hard objects or from wear during
service.
3.1.3 cracking, n—formation of breaks in a film that extend through to the underlying surface.
3.1.4 distinctness-of-image-gloss, n—aspect of gloss characterized by the sharpness of images of objects produced by reflection
at a surface.
3.1.5 gloss, n—angular selectivity of reflectance, involving surface-reflected light, responsible for the degree to which reflected
highlights or images of objects may be seen as superimposed on a surface.
3.1.6 staining, n—discoloration, arising from foreign materials, that penetrates into the coating.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Since the exposure of automotive coatings to the various mechanical and chemical stresses encountered in actual operations,
is very opportunistic, obtaining statistically significant data from which valid conclusions can be drawn, requires rigorous attention
to the experimental designs and conditions of exposure.
5. Limitations
5.1 Vehicle service exposure is not intended to provide the conditions that are needed for characterizing the long term effects of
weathering or corrosion exposure.
5.2 Vehicle service exposure is not intended to provide absolute values. The performance of the test coatings is relative to that of
a control coating.
6. Vehicle Test Fleets
6.1 Various commercial organizations operate multi-vehicle fleets that can conform to the required test conditions. Among other
objectives, they are operated to comply with federal tire wear rating requirements. The U. S. Federal requirements are published
in DOT NHTSA Reg. #49 CFR Part 575, and specifies specific route and operating conditions. The addition of properly designed
specimen racks to these vehicles can be accommodated.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Available from U.S. Government Printing Office Superintendent of Documents, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Mail Stop: SDE, Washington, DC 20401, http://
www.access.gpo.gov.
D6486 − 23
7. General Requirements
7.1 Test panels are mounted on the major surfaces (front, sides, and roof) of the vehicle. Sinc
...