The future of aerospace coatings
As featured in Protective Coatings Expert magazine
From Star Wars-themed jets to precision-matched Disney liveries, Michael Suhara is shaping the future of aerospace coatings — one aircraft at a time.
In this article, Suhara, Senior Technical Service Coordinator for Aerospace Coatings at AkzoNobel, shares insights from nearly 30 years in the industry. Based in Seattle, he works closely with major names like Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest, developing high-performance coatings that meet rigorous aerospace standards while also bringing bold, creative visions to life.
Suhara combines technical knowledge with artistic flair, helping to deliver flying works of art through close collaboration with designers, customers, and colour experts. His portfolio includes complex custom liveries — from Toy Story to UPS — each one a testament to the critical role coatings play in both branding and performance.
He also highlights emerging innovations, including inkjet-printed aircraft designs and the role of AkzoNobel’s Aerodur basecoat/clearcoat systems in pushing design boundaries further than ever before.
It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of protective coatings, aerospace technology, and design.
👉 Read the full article in Protective Coatings Expert magazine
