May 2004

TL
260

Paint Coating of Metal Surfaces

The English translation is believed to be accurate.
In case of discrepancies the German version shall govern.

Requirements for Surface Protection

Konzernnorm
Descriptors:
surface protection, corrosion protection, paint, metal surface
Changes
The following changes have been
Specification TL 260, 1995-09:

Standard restructured

Referenced standards updated

Ban on chromium (VI) and lead

Changed requirements for weak points

made

as

compared

to

Technical

Supply

Previous issues
1975-08; 1980-06; 1985-05; 1986-12; 1994-02; 1995-09
1

Scope

This standard defines requirements for corrosion protection of black paint coatings on metal
surfaces (code letter x in Volkswagen standard VW 137 50), e.g., for body parts. It does not apply
to paint coatings on zinc-coated metal surfaces (see TL 227), to decorative protective varnishes
(see TL 218) or to paint coatings on chassis parts that may form cavities (see TL 262).
2

Designation

See VW 137 50, Section 2.

3

Requirements

3.1

Protection types

The protection types listed in Table 1 apply.

Table 1

Form FE 41 - 01.03

Protection type

Characteristic

Ofl-x010

Commercial paintwork, permissible only after agreement with

the Central Laboratory at Volkswagen AG (K-QS-32) and/or
the Test Laboratory at Audi AG (I/GQ-32) and the responsible
Design Engineering Department;
no corrosion protection requirements.

Ofl-x100, Ofl-x300, Ofl-x600

Pretreatment not specified (not possible for manufacturing

reasons),
single-layer liquid paint according to any method, alternatively
cathodic dip paint.

Ofl-x130, Ofl-x330

Zinc phosphated, Fe or Mn phosphated,

single-layer liquid paint according to any method, alternatively
cathodic dip paint.

Ofl-x630

Zinc phosphated, cathodic dip paint.

Page 1 of 4

Fachverantwortung/Responsibility
K-QS-32

Koeppen

Normung/Standards (EZTD, 1733)

Tel: -25803

Laudien

Wiesner

Tel: +49-5361-9-29064

Sobanski

Confidential. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be transmitted or reproduced without the prior written permission of a Standards Department of the Volkswagen Group.
Parties to a contract can only obtain this standard via the responsible procurement department.

VOLKSWAGEN AG

Norm vor Anwendung auf Aktualitt prfen / Check standard for current issue prior to usage.

Klass.-Nr. 50 23 4

Page 2
TL 260: 2004-05

Protection type

Characteristic

Ofl-x631

Zinc phosphated, dual layer painted (dip + spray painting)

Ofl-x634

Zinc phosphated, heavy coat cathodic dip paint or cathodic dip paint
+ conventional dip paint (for very highly stressed parts, e.g., front
end, engine compartment)

3.2

General requirements

Approval of first supply and changes according to VW 011 55.

Avoidance of hazardous substances according to VW 911 01.
Eight parts or part sections are required for complete testing.
The coatings used must be free of compounds containing chromium(VI) or lead.
3.3

Base material

Material according to drawing

3.4

Protection types/appearance

See Table 1. The color is always black unless otherwise specified in the drawing.
3.5

Conditioning

If air-drying coating systems are used and/or no paint system baking process at elevated
temperature (> 60 C) will be carried out, the components shall be conditioned for 24 h at 60 C
before the tests. The specimens are then cooled to room temperature (18 to 28) C according to
DIN 50014.
3.6

Paint coat thickness

See Table 2. For joining and contact surfaces, paint coat thickness limits may be necessary which
are to be specified in the drawing.
Table 2
Protection type

Paint coat thickness in m

Ofl-x100, Ofl-x130, Ofl-x300, Ofl-x330, Ofl-x600 15 to 50 (for liquid paint)

> 12 (for cathodic dip paint)
Ofl-x630

15 to 35, in cavities 12

Ofl-x631

40 to 60

Ofl-x634

35 to 60, in cavities 20

3.7

Adhesion and brittleness

Crosscut test according to DIN EN ISO 2409. Requirement: characteristic value 0 to 1.

3.8

Resistance to stone impact

Test according to DIN 55996-1, method B with visual examination. Requirement: characteristic value 2.

Page 3
TL 260: 2004-05

3.9

Further characteristics

See Table 3.
Table 3
No.
1
1.1
1.1.1

Property
Ofl-x100
Ofl-x130
Ofl-x300
Ofl-x330
Corrosion behavior 1)
After aging in salt spray fog according to DIN 50021-SS
no blisters, no base
48 h without
metal corrosion
scribe mark 2)
no blisters, no base
1.1.2 96 h without
metal corrosion
scribe mark 2)
1.1.3 240 h with scribe
mark 2)
-

1.2
After corrosion cycle test according to Test Specification PV 1210
1.2.1 5 cycles
1.2.2 30 cycles with
scribe mark 2)
1.2.3 60 cycles with
scribe mark 2)

1.3
After aging in moisture condensate constant climate DIN 50017-KK
no blisters, no base
1.3.1 72 h 3)
metal corrosion, the
requirement according
to Section 3.7 must be
fulfilled
no blisters, no base
1.3.2 144 h 3)
metal corrosion, the
requirement according
to Section 3.7 must be
fulfilled
1.3.3 240 h 3)
-

Ofl-x600

Ofl-x630

Ofl-x631

Ofl-x634

no blisters,
no base
metal
corrosion,
adhesion loss
D 2.5 mm

surface, including edges, free of base metal corrosion

no blisters, no base metal corrosion,
adhesion loss D 2.5 mm
no blisters,
no base metal
corrosion,
adhesion loss
D 2.5 mm

no blisters, no base metal corrosion, the requirement

according to Section 3.7 must be fulfilled
2
Resistance to chemicals acc. to VDA 621-412, test A, evaluation according to DIN EN ISO 4628-1, Table 3, with respect to
Premium
2.1
max. characteristic value 2, but max. characteristic
unleaded gasoline
max. characteristic value 1
value 1 after 5 h resting period
acc. to
DIN EN 228
max. characteristic value 2, but max. characteristic
Diesel fuel acc. to
2.2
max. characteristic value 1
value 1 after 5 h resting period
DIN EN 590
Factory-fill engine
2.3
max. characteristic value 2, but max. characteristic
oil acc. to
max. characteristic value 1
TL 521 07,
value 1 after 5 h resting period
1 h at 23 C 4)
Central hydraulic
2.4
max. characteristic value 2, but max. characteristic
system fluid
max. characteristic value 1
value 1 after 5 h resting period
acc. to TL 521 46
Brake fluid
2.5
max. characteristic value 2, but max. characteristic value 1 after 5 h resting period
acc. to TL 766 5)
2.6
Coolant acc. to TL 774, type C
2.6.1 1 h at 23 C 4)
max. characteristic value 2, but max. characteristic value 1 after 5 h resting period
2.6.2 24 h at 80 C 6)
characteristic value 0
1) The requirements of the next protection class down apply to surface areas on weld seams and design-related contact surfaces,
including an adjacent zone of max. 2.5 mm starting from the weak point (surface/weld seam free of paint).
2) Scribe mark acc. to DIN EN ISO 7253, Section 8.5 and DIN EN ISO 4628-8
3) Then at least 30 min acclimatization at room temperature
4) For engine compartment parts only
5) For brake system parts only
6) For parts carrying coolant only

Page 4
TL 260: 2004-05

Referenced standards*)

PV 1210

Body and Add-On Parts; Corrosion Test

TL 766

Brake Fluid; Material Requirements

TL 774

Ethylene Glycol-Based Coolant Additive; Material Requirements

TL 521 07

SAE 15W-40 Factory Fill Engine Oil; Lubricant Requirements

TL 521 46

Central Hydraulic System Fluid; Lubricant Requirements

VW 011 55

Vehicle Supply Parts, General; Approval of First Supply and Changes

VW 137 50

Surface Protection of Metal Parts; Degrees of Protection, Codes,

Requirements

VW 911 01

Vehicle Environmental Standard; Vehicle Parts, Materials, Operating Fluids;

Avoidance of Hazardous Substances

VDA 621-412

Tests for Coating Methods; Resistance to Chemicals of Motor Vehicle

Paints (only available in German)

DIN 50014

Climates and Their Technical Application; Standard Atmospheres

DIN 50017

Climates and Their Technical Application; Condensation Water Test

Atmospheres

DIN 50021

Spray Tests with Different Sodium Chloride Solutions

DIN 55996-1

Paints and Varnishes; Stone Chip Resistance Test for Coatings; Part 1:
Multi Impact Test

DIN EN 228

Automotive Fuels Unleaded Petrol Requirements and Test Methods

DIN EN 590

Automotive Fuels Diesel Requirements and Test Methods

DIN EN ISO 2409

Paints and Varnishes; Cross-Cut Test

DIN EN ISO 4628-1

Paints and Varnishes Evaluation of Degradation of Coatings Designation

of Quantity and Size of Defects, and of Intensity of Uniform Changes in
Appearance Part 1: General Introduction and Designation System

DIN EN ISO 4628-8

Paints and Varnishes Evaluation of Degradation of Coatings; Designation

of Quantity and Size of Defects and of Intensity of Uniform Changes in
Appearance Part 8: Evaluation of Corrosion Around a Scribe

DIN EN ISO 7253

Paints and Varnishes; Determination of Resistance to Neutral Salt Spray

(Fog)

*)

In this section, terminological inconsistencies may occur as the original titles are used.