Cromax launches aerosol Quickfill Primer-Surfacer in grey

Cromax® launches a new 1K aerosol primer-surfacer in grey (VS4), PS1504A Quickfill Primer-Surfacer, to help maximise bodyshop productivity. Thanks to reduced process steps, simple universal application and very quick drying performance, bodyshops can be more productive, profitable and sustainable. 

Koen Silverans, Axalta’s Refinish Academy Manager in Mechelen, Belgium, says, “In our efforts to help our bodyshops boost their productivity, it is vital we offer them innovative products that not only promote shorter process times, but also reduce material consumption. PS1504A Quickfill Primer-Surfacer does just that. In addition, it is part of our ValueShade® concept that delivers the optimal undercoat for every topcoat colour, for faster coverage and reduced basecoat consumption, which enables bodyshops to speed up processes and increase profitability.” 

Thanks to SprayMax technology, PS1504A Quickfill Primer-Surfacer ensures excellent sprayability and flow. It can be applied directly to all metal and common plastic substrates and can be re-coated after sanding with both waterborne basecoats as well as solventborne basecoats and topcoats. 

PS1501A Quickfill Primer-Surfacer in white (VS1) and PS1507A Quickfill Primer-Surfacer in black (VS7) will follow in due course. 

For more information about Cromax please visit www.cromax.com/gb 

Axalta Refinish launches its Axalta Academy globally

The Axalta Academy, a state-of-the-art global training platform for refinish professionals, is launching globally in 15 languages to empower refinishers to maintain and to improve their specialised competencies with top-class training. The platform adjusts to the way in which they work, and is backed by Axalta’s unrivalled, industry-leading expertise.  

Jason Hopkins, UK Country Manager Axalta, says: “The Axalta Academy has been designed with our customers in mind. It puts them in a different class. We’re sharing knowledge about cutting-edge, digital tools and application techniques, as well as demonstrating how we’re championing innovation and continuous training. With three distinct ways in which to consume this best practice, the Axalta Academy is flexible, convenient and effective, which is exactly what busy, ambitious and aspiring bodyshops need. We easily align information to a bodyshop’s training requirements. The Axalta Academy is also a perfect resource for apprentices.” 

Tailored approach  

The Axalta Academy resources have been thoughtfully packaged, depending on the user: Apprentice, Painter, Bodyshop Manager or Bodyshop Owner. Each has its own content, tailored specifically for each one's individual goals: whether that’s kick-starting a refinishing career with the basics for apprentices; keeping up with the latest products and techniques for painters; supporting processes and maximising earning potential for bodyshops managers; or boosting productivity and maintaining the competitive edge for bodyshops owners.  

Flexible ways to learn 

For maximum flexibility, the Axalta Academy has different training streams on its online platform through which best practice knowledge can be delivered. Once registered, users simply create their profile and then have a choice of three types of training based on their requirements: face-to-face, live virtual or e-learning.  

Face-to-face 

Highly-experienced Axalta instructors lead all face-to-face training courses, which are held at the world-class Axalta training facilities across the world. These hands-on sessions provide both theoretical and practical aspects of every step of the refinishing process. Users have access to country-specific calendars where they can apply for different courses.  

Live virtual training  

These live-stream technical training events come direct from the Axalta training facilities around the world. They deliver customised distance learning that saves the time and cost of travel as well as time out of the bodyshop. A calendar of country-specific live events shows what’s available - refinishers simply click a link and register. Participants also have the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the trainer.  

E-learning 

The e-Learning material in the Axalta Academy includes a library of interactive instructional content on topics from digital colour matching and plastic repair to special finishes and basecoat systems. This library will be continuously added to.   

Hopkins concludes, “The Axalta Academy is a one-stop-shop for all refinish training needs, whether that is improving skills or increasing productivity. It will ensure you get the most value out of the paint products you use.” 

Axalta Academy is fully accessible and optimised for Android and iOS and can be accessed via a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. The platform is available in English, as well as a further 14 languages, which will be launched throughout Q2 and Q3 2023 – Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish, Thai and Vietnamese. 

For more information about Axalta Academy and to register please visit www.refinish.axalta.eu/academy. 

NBRA responds to premium increases

Amidst the mounting financial burdens imposed by escalating costs across various sectors such as food and energy, the recent surge of 21% in year-on-year car insurance premiums does not come as a shock says the National Body Repair Association (NBRA). Wayne Mason-Drust NBRA board member, sheds light on this development, explaining “For almost a decade, the cost of repairing a car following an accident has increased far below inflation. Car insurers have tightly controlled repair costs by giving car repairers minimal annual wage increments to car repair professionals. This approach has led to incredibly low car insurance premiums for over a decade and a brilliant deal for the average motorist.”

The NBRA which represents car repairers in the UK says, “Whilst insurer control has led to low premiums, it has decimated a once-thriving car repair industry. The outcome is a dwindling count of 2,500 car crash repairers remaining, contributing to substantial delays of up to a month to get your car booked in following an accident.” Wayne continued “The scarcity of bodyshops and demand for repairs has resulted in a correction in labour rates which had barely moved for a decade. Additionally, factors such as advancing vehicle technology, rising car part costs, employee wages, augmented paint expenses, and increased energy expenditures collectively contribute to the current surge in insurance premiums.”

Whilst NBRA acknowledges that repair costs have been a factor in these premium increases, we have been calling out for years that the suppression of our industry would inevitably lead to a time when very few repairers would remain leading to a jump in premiums and reduced service levels. “To avoid this happening in the future we need to ensure repairer pay tracks inflation and does not fall woefully behind again. With the vast array of technology fitted on vehicles now and the accelerated introduction of electric vehicles and alternative fuels, the public needs to have confidence in a car crash repair industry that is adequately funded to invest in training and equipment for the future, insurers can no longer cost cut their way to service and vehicle safety.”

A more hopeful message for motorists, however, is that NBRA also sees a great deal of waste and inefficiency in the overall claims process and believes premiums could be reduced by working with a well-supported repair industry to control the whole cost of the claim rather than simply focusing on repair costs.  A message the NBRA has conveyed many times before.

Innoptus Solar Team unveils tenth solar car

Infinite, the tenth solar car designed and built by a team of engineering students from the Belgian Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, was unveiled on 14 July 2023 at an event in the Port Authority Building House located in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. Infinite, painted at the Axalta Refinish Academy in Mechelen, Belgium, will take part in the Challenger Class of the 16th Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in Australia, from 22 to the 29 October 2023. It is the first World Solar Challenge since 2019.  

Axalta’s premium Refinish brand Cromax® and its Ultra Performance Energy System that uses revolutionary and patented Axalta Fast Cure Low Energy technology was used on the car at its world-class training facilities in Mechelen, Belgium. The technology considerably reduces energy consumption in the spraybooth while still achieving the best quality repair. It is the only refinish system that can be dried at lower baking temperatures or air dried at 20oC. Members of the Innoptus Solar Team worked alongside the Axalta technical experts performing preparation tasks, such as sanding, masking, cleaning, demasking as well as ensuring all the logos were correctly placed. 

Pauline Vanvuchelen, Business Relations for the Innoptus Solar Team, says, “Having built a close partnership based on innovation, passion and teamwork since 2015, we were confident Axalta could handle our most aerodynamic entry yet. Not only are the Axalta experts incredibly skilful, but their guidance and input are invaluable in creating a car that looks amazing, makes sustainable personal transport a reality and is a contender to defend our 2019 World Championship title.”  

Koen Silverans, Axalta Refinish Academy Manager, Mechelen, says, “Every time we welcome the team to our facility, they are more forward-thinking than ever before. This year, it’s fair to say the Team and Infinite are the epitome of innovation, sustainability and energy saving – values we share and are which we match when they walk through the doors of our Axalta Refinish Academy. It is appropriate then that the unveiling took place at Havenhuis, as it is known in Dutch. Designed by Zaha Hadid, it symbolises the dynamic, reliable, ambitious and innovative nature of the Port of Antwerp - perfectly aligned to the values the Innoptus Solar Team and Axalta.” 

Weight considerations are paramount for Infinite and the livery is no exception. The fewer paint products used, the lighter the car and more easily it can reach its full speed potential. Infinite’s livery comprises the brand colours of main sponsor Innoptus – white, dark blue, light blue and green. It is a complex pattern of flow lines including a fade from dark to light blue. The logos on the nose were painted, while decals and stickers were used the other logos. Three coats of clearcoat with a Xyrallic-effect pigment created the perfectly smooth, aerodynamic and fantastic reflectivity finish.  

For more information on the relationship between Axalta, Cromax and the Innoptus Solar Team, visit www.axalta.com/eu/formula-student . Keep up to date with the progress of the Innoptus Solar Team via www.facebook.com/solarteam.be or visit www.solarteam.be. 

Spies Hecker launches innovative Primer Surfacer

The Priomat 1K Universal Primer Surfacer Aerosol 4095 helps bodyshops to be more efficient, profitable and sustainable. 

1 august 2023 – Spies Hecker has launched a new Priomat 1K Universal Primer Surfacer Aerosol 4095 in grey. Designed to maximise customers’ efficiency and sustainability, the innovative Priomat 1K Universal Primer Surfacer Aerosol 4095, shortens the repair process considerably and reduces the number of products needed per repair. 

The 1K Primer Surfacer offers excellent corrosion protection and has a high filling power and easy sandability. It can be used directly on bare metal and most common plastic substrates. The flash-off and drying times are significantly shorter when compared to existing aerosol primers, enhancing fast working processes and, ultimately, bodyshop throughput.  

Thanks to SprayMax technology the aerosol delivers very good sprayability and flow, allowing for a simple and quick application. It is directly re-coatable with waterborne basecoats, solvent-based basecoats and topcoats.  

Jason Hopkins, UK and Ireland Country Manager for Axalta and U-POL, says, “there is a growing demand for solutions that not only drive an increase in efficiency but also are sustainable at the same time. Due to a reduction in process steps, products used, simple universal application and rapid-drying performance, the new Priomat 1K Universal Primer Surfacer Aerosol 4095 is a must-have for those bodyshops looking for excellent and reliable results with an uncomplicated repair process.” 

Priomat 1K Universal Primer Surfacer 4095 Aerosol in grey is available now.  

Priomat 1K Universal Primer Surfacer Aerosol 4095 white and Priomat 1K Universal Primer Surfacer Aerosol 4095 black, will follow later this year. 

For more information, please visit www.spieshecker.co.uk