colorexpert 1/2009 UK

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colorexpert S e r v i c e

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T r e n d s

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T r a i n i n g

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M a n a g e m e n t

Products Permafleet® – strong support to painters of commercial vehicles.

Management Waste not, want not.

Overcoming the crisis.

Worldwide True masters.

1/2009 Spies Hecker – simply closer.

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colorexpert E d i t o r i a l

Thomas Melzer, Brand Manager International.

Pointing the way forward.

Dear Reader, We are confronted with bad news from all over the world almost every day.

The economy is going through a rough period. And there’s no doubt that refinishing businesses have also seen better days. What you as a business owner really need now is help with finding ways out of the crisis.

This new issue of “colorexpert” points the way forward and broadens your business’s scope for action. Our articles give you practical support, covering such topics as energy efficiency, rational product systems and useful management strategies.

Exploiting opportunities.

Spies Hecker offers you solutions that are easy to put into practice, enabling you to exploit opportunities. Take the example of business expansion – with the Permaflex product system for industrial coatings, you can quickly extend your range of services and attract new customers. For businesses specialising in commercial vehicles, the new Permafleet® product line is a cost-effective alternative.

Staying ahead with technology – this also applies to digital colour measurement. This is where the ColorDialog spectro and the new functions of the CRplus formula software boost efficiency in the workshop.

One thing is certain: If you want to exploit the available opportunities, you need a customised approach. With tailored advice and committed support from our experienced technicians, we can jointly develop solutions that meet your needs.

Take advantage of a strong partnership with Spies Hecker to pilot your company safely through the crisis. We’re right by your side.

I hope you enjoy your read. And I wish you business success – making use of our signposts that help point the way forward.

Thomas Melzer Brand Manager, Spies Hecker GmbH

colorexpert – tips and information for bodyshops • © SPIES HECKER GMBH / 50858 Köln, Germany • Horbeller Str. 17 • E-mail: Silke.Gursch@deu.spieshecker.com • Internet: www.spieshecker.com • Responsible under the German Press Act: Karsten Jürs • Editor: Silke Gursch, Susanne Aping, Christian Simmert • Layout: Adfactory GmbH, Düsseldorf • Text: Mediaservice GmbH, Neuss • Reader: LLINGUA, Gelsenkirchen • Translation: Tim Chafer, ExperTeam, Düsseldorf • Reproduction, even in part, only by permission of the editors. The data and information on the suitability and usage of our products are not binding and do not release the user from his responsibility to carry out his own tests on their suitability for the intended purposes and processes.

The product names mentioned in the articles are predominantly registered trademarks.

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M a n a g e m e n t

Waste not, want not.

With rising energy prices and increasing energy consumption, bodyshops need to rationalise their energy use and reduce costs.

Without compressed air tools, spray guns and booth technology, paintshops would grind to a halt. However, continuous operations and being on constant stand-by cost money and, in view of the rising cost of electricity, oil and gas, are a real cost factor. And this is good reason to cut energy consumption – and save money.

Analysing energy consumption.

“If you want to save energy, you should first find out when and where you consume the most,” explains Wolfgang Feyrer, Spies Hecker specialist in energy efficiency in paintshops. “This means precisely analysing energy consumption in each workshop area and for each work step.” The focus here is on the compressed air supply, and the spraying and drying process as well as on lighting and heating.

“Optimising compressed air management, for instance, can significantly reduce energy consumption,” says the expert. “An intact compressed air hose network and the use of hoses with low inner diameters reduce pressure loss, lower the required compressor output and cut energy costs.”

Eyes open in the booth.

It is also possible to reduce energy consumption during painting and drying in the booth. The expert retrofitting of units such as frequency converter systems and fully automatically controlled booths reduces costs. Wolfgang Feyrer: “With heat exchangers, it is possible to recover heat energy. Air jets recirculate the air in the booth when paint isn’t being sprayed.” In addition, filters should be regularly maintained so that the air resistance isn’t increased by clogged filter mats.

Further potential for economies can be tapped by optimising certain work processes. For example, rapid infrared and UV drying during Speed Repair processes reduce energy consumption during the repair of minor damage while also freeing up the booth. UV technology with 30 flashes for a single drying cycle costs less than one euro cent. And the quality of repair is high. However, if you want to save energy, you have to make sure that the quality of finish isn’t impaired. Only then will modifications yield the desired benefits.

Where do you consume the most energy in the bodyshop?

Fan motors (booth) Bodyshop lighting Compressed air Infrared heaters Others

40% 25% 15% 15% 5%

Source: Stoffstrommanagement in der Autoreparaturlackierung, Erich Schmidt Verlag

Light: Motion detectors in the store and changing room switch off lights when they’re not needed.

Compressed air: Check compressed air tools regularly for leakage and replace faulty tools.

Painting and drying systems: Adapt booth and dryer running times to the actual level of utilisation.

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colorexpert P r o d u c t s

Permafleet® all round.

Efficient products, competent service – Spies Hecker lends strong support to painters of commercial vehicles.

Efficient colour management for the painting of commercial vehicles.

Digital colour identification With the ColorDialog spectro, colours can be analysed at the vehicle in a matter of seconds. CRplus, Spies Hecker’s standard software, can be used for quickly finding the associated mixing formula.

Permafleet® Color Index The over 3,000 colours on extralarge colour chips are an invaluable reference resource. They contain all the widely used truck and standard colours as well as many house colours.

With the colour code on the reverse of the chip, the matching colour mixing formulas can be quickly found in the CRplus colour software.

Buses and coaches, vans, tippers and trucks – commercial vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. How the paint finish has to perform, varies accordingly.

Depending on the application, it has to withstand severe mechanical stressing, resist chemical aggression or be nonslip or elastic. In addition, the paint system has to be adaptable to the various substrates such as aluminium, steel, plastic and glass-reinforced polyester.

Spies Hecker therefore supports its customers with expert advice. Together with the bodyshop, it devises special paint system recommendations and optimises work processes to make application more efficient. “We want commercial vehicles to stay on the road.

Time laid up in the bodyshop is costly for the owner,” explains Arno Steyns, Spies Hecker commercial vehicle specialist.

With the Spies Hecker Permafleet® paint system, time out of service is minimised, as the system can be perfectly adapted to the various jobs. These can be paint finishes for buses and coaches, resprays, commercial vehicle repairs or paintwork for special requirements, e.g. tank trucks, containers and aluminium side-boards.

“A bodyshop using this system can choose from three different paint qualities. The central element in all cases, however, is high-grade Permafleet® Top Coat 670/675,” Arno Steyns adds.

Superlative service.

In addition, customers are given practical working aids such as Technical Data Sheets, Permafleet® work posters and the practical Mixing Ratio Disc.

Furthermore, the bodyshop is also supplied with an individual workshop poster showing the various products used and application recommendations. Spies Hecker provides support in the equipment sector as well. With mixing sticks, DIN cups, cleaning and

polishing cloths, and professional work clothing. The customer has plenty to choose from.

Practical help.

The package of services for commercial vehicle finishes also extends to targeted training. Arno Steyns: “This is where we explain the technicalities of using the system and focus our attention on rational product use. This gives the refinisher extra guidance and enhances process security and quality in the workshop.”

Superlative service for outstanding results – with Spies Hecker Permafleet® for trucks and vans. The comprehensive system comprises more than innovative products and technology. Permafleet® is the professional response to the challenges of advanced commercial vehicle painting.

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Arno Steyns, Spies Hecker commercial vehicle specialist, talking to a customer.

Manufacturer: Marcel Boschung Ltd. (Switzerland).

Paintwork: VS-Lackierzentrum (Germany).

Good cooperation.

Leading makers of commercial vehicles use Spies Hecker expertise.

Fast and high-quality vehicle refinishing is also highly valued in the commercial vehicle repair sector. Fleet vehicles have to stay on the road, for time laid up is costly for the operator. Leading makers of commercial vehicles therefore opt for the high-speed Spies Hecker product systems for accident repairs.

Powerful partner for powerful brands.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has also been impressed by the special Permafleet速 with the top coats of Series 600 and has approved the Spies Hecker commercial vehicle product range for brand-oriented repairs. No less close is the cooperation with Volvo Trucks. An agreement on the global use of the product systems for vehicle refinishing has just been re-signed.

In France, Scania Trucks has started to use Permafleet速 in its Paris PDI centre and in some of its dealer locations.

Good cooperation is also much appreciated at MAN Trucks. The German commercial vehicle manufacturer is intensifying its existing partnership. After approval of the Spies Hecker products, both companies are working together to make the MAN Repair Guide that will be available online in 27 languages for bodyshops throughout the world.

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colorexpert C o l o u r

Diamonds are forever.

Whenever paintwork sparkles with Swarovski crystals and high-carat diamonds, you can be sure that the Seelos firm in Fritzens in Austria, a long-standing Spies Hecker customer, has been at work. With the patented Crystal Skin system, Karl Seelos and his team have brought glamour to the world of cars.

For this, gems are integrated in the paint surface in a special process and sealed.

Like on the Rinspeed “zaZen”, the concept car of the Swiss car designer Frank M. Rinderknecht. Such celebrities as the British Royal Family, the Sultan of Brunei, Georgio Armani, BMW, Porsche and Audi commission exclusive designs from Spies Hecker partner Seelos – to give their cars that extra sparkle of prestige. www.seelos.at

Chameleon paint.

Iridescent effects are on the advance – with the new mixing colours containing ChromaFlair® pigments that repair OEM effect colours to perfection.

Copper changes gently to gold – effect pigments can create bewitching colour effects. However, the replication of multicolour paintwork in the repair process can be a real challenge.

Spies Hecker has included six special mixing colours in its product line so that the roughly 30 original series colours can be accurately reproduced with ChromaFlair® pigments during refinishing.

What makes the new ChromaFlair® mixing colours special is that their pigments display high colour intensity, stability and effect. Thanks to ease of application and good coverage, optimum painting results are assured. Another benefit is that the paint materials are easy to handle and hence easy to integrate in the bodyshop’s work processes.

As of now, Spies Hecker partners can obtain the OEM colours with ChromaFlair® pigments at their Spies Hecker outlet or from their Spies Hecker distributor. Readily-mixed and ready for application.

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C o l o u r

More colour.

Effective colour management for greater assurance during refinishing.

There’s a current trend towards unobtrusiveness, and Europe’s motorists love black, silver and grey. However, according to a recent study, effect finishes are growing in popularity, and there is an increasing shift towards shades of blue and red. The diversity of effects and colours will continue to grow. And all this adds to the challenge of vehicle refinishing.

This is why more and more bodyshops are using digital colour management for colour identification, formula searches and mixing refinish paints. Hardware and software for electronic colour analysis are today a standard feature of work processes in the workshop and mixing room. “And the interest in them is growing,” explains Spies Hecker Colour Coordinator Dietmar Wegener. Spies Hecker has been supporting bodyshops for many years with its colour software CRplus and the ColorDialog spectro.

These colour tools are subject to ongoing further development – for greater efficiency and accuracy in colour identification.

Clicking into the future.

For instance, the professionals from Spies Hecker have yet again improved the user-friendliness of the CRplus colour software. User comfort is enhanced by a new, neatly laid out user interface. Larger buttons make the program easier to use. In addition, CRplus also comes with functions for effective materials management: New software modules give the business owner a quick overview of quantities used, stock levels and orders. Dietmar Wegener: “The various modules can be adapted perfectly to the needs of the bodyshop in question.”

Arriving at precisely the right colour.

And the digital ColorDialog spectro comes with new features. The new multiple correction mode, for instance, permits not only a check of the original colour, but also identifies the colour of a sample panel and corrects deviations in the colour formula. This way the application conditions are included in the analysis. A time-saving, cost-effective process from colour identification through to the dazzling finish.

Dietmar Wegener, Spies Hecker Colour Coordinator.

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colorexpert P r o d u c t s

Staying flexible.

Refinishers can branch out with the Permaflex industrial coating system.

Industrial business is nothing new in Fürstenzell in Bavaria. This is where the staff of business owner Thomas Lehner have been painting window systems, plastic covers and steel elements for over 20 years – a side-line activity that has helped to offset fluctuations in refinishing business. Firm owner Ulrike Kruse in Delbrück in eastern Westphalia has also branched out into industrial coating. About 30% of her sales are now generated in the industrial sector.

Customised.

Whatever its speciality – cars, commercial vehicles or industrial coatings – each firm has its own paint system recommendation. So that the team has a source of ready reference, Spies Hecker offers work posters geared to the specific bodyshop. Together with a Spies Hecker adviser, the business owner selects the paint system recommendations. From this information, the adviser puts together a large-format paint system poster that workshop employees can refer to in their everyday work. This way, the refinish is spot-on from the putty through to the clear coat and makes an additional valuable contribution to quality assurance. Everything at a glance – every work step and every product.

A system for industrial coating.

They and other business owners have now put the Spies Hecker Permaflex industrial coating system to the practical test. Thomas Lehner: “Application is easy, and a variety of surface finishes can be efficiently created. Substrates such as aluminium, galvanised steel panels and plastics require absolute flexibility, and this is not a problem thanks to the broad Permaflex range.”

Ulrike Kruse reports on her experience: “With the product system, we’ve painted such items as plastic window frames – no priming, no sanding. That surprised me. We’re now changing over to the new coating system as it will optimise our painting process.”

Application recommendations.

Raderal IR Premium Putty 2035 Permaloid Silicone Remover 7010 / Permaloid Silicone Remover 7799

Putty work life 3-5 min. / 20°C

2-3% (by weight) Raderal Hardener 0909

20-30 min. / 20°C

3-5 min. / 20°C

P 120-320

P 80-240

Permaloid Silicone Remover 7010 / Permaloid Silicone Remover 7799

50% MS Dura plus 8580 / Reducer 3364 / 3365

18-20 sec. DIN, 4 mm / 20°C

1.3-1.5 mm, 3-4 bar, HVLP: 1.5-1.7 mm

1-3 coats = 10-50 μm

10-60 min. / 20°C, depending on application method

Wet grinding with P800-1000

Permaloid Silicone Remover 7010 / Permaloid Silicone Remover 7799

4:1 by vol. with HS Permasolid Hardener or 7:1 by vol. with VHS Permasolid Hardener

1.6-1.8 mm, 1.5-3 bar HVLP: 1.5-1.9 mm

1-3 coats = 80-200 μm recommended film thickness, with flash-off time

80-150 μm = 30 min. / 60°C, 150-250 μm = 40 min. / 60°C

80-150 μm = 10-15 min., 150-250 μm = 15-20 min.

With random orbital sander and dust extraction P400-500

Permahyd Silicone Remover 7080

Approx. 10% Permahyd Demineralized Water 6000

Mixing viscosity

1.2-1.3 mm, 2-2.5 bar, HVLP / WSB: 1.3 mm

1 spray pass = 1 tack coat, followed by 1 normal full coat

10-20 min. flash-off till matt surface, depending on kind of drying

2:1 by vol. with Permasolid HS Hardener

Mixing viscosity work life: RFU 60-90 min. / 20°C

1.2-1.3 mm, 2-2.5 bar, HVLP: 1.3-1.4 mm

1.5 coats = 50-60 μm

5-10 min.

20-30 min. / 60°C

Priomat 1K Wash Primer 4085

Permasolid HS Premium Surfacer 5310

Permahyd Base Coat Series 280 + 285

Permasolid HS Clear Coat 8035

Please visit our website at www.spieshecker.com

Work posters provide effective support in the bodyshop.

04.11.2008 15:46:05

10-20 min.

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M a n a g e m e n t

Grab the bull by the horns!

Overcoming the crisis – now is the time to act.

The current market situation is difficult, and there’s no end in sight. But what’s the best way for bodyshops to react to the crisis? What really counts is that you plan and act as an entrepreneur.

Conserve your liquidity!

Keep a close eye on costs – of materials, operation and labour – in your business. If you can stay in the black, you have a clear advantage. And you’ll be better placed with your bank.

It makes it easier to obtain loans and creates greater financial scope. As far as suppliers are concerned, you should make use of cash discounts or agree on as long a period for payment as possible.

Effective debt management can also take the strain off your finances.

Invoices should always be written as soon as each job is completed. Reward

your customers for swift payment. The accounts department should identify debts in arrears early on and send out reminders in good time. What is very important is to check the creditworthiness of new customers.

Motivate your staff with dialogue and strong leadership.

You should talk openly about difficult times. Obviously, it is the business owner who takes the decisions, but his team has to go with him. Show strong leadership and enter into open dialogue with your employees. Tell them about the firm’s current situation. This way it is easier to communicate radical decisions. A useful approach here is to introduce timesheets. In times of slack business, unworked hours are recorded on the timesheet, and in busier times these can be worked off with overtime.

Marketing pays off!

Now is the time to actively attract customers. With proactive campaigns such as tyre special offers, repairs of minor damage at highly competitive rates, and offers for vehicle preparation and inspection, the business will score with its customers. Generate more business.

Bonus offers have a positive effect on capacity utilisation in the workshop, as your customers are currently priceconscious as well. Go onto the offensive with advertisements or mailing campaigns. Attractive offers of services for existing customers will also strengthen your competitive position and boost customer loyalty. Take advantage of Colors Unlimited International (CUI), the Spies Hecker expertise programme.

Boost income with a second line of business.

Take advantage of periods of slack business to realign the firm strategically.

Venture into new fields such as industrial coating and design finishing, fleet and leasing companies, insurance companies and claim adjusters. A careful analysis will help you to discover new sources of income and tap extra potential. This way you can put yourself in a better position – and grab the bull by the horns.

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colorexpert W o r l d w i d e

Acting responsibly.

Enviro Environmental onmental and a Waste Wastte Management Manag gement Guidelines Guidelines s

Every business creates waste, from paper to cleaning solvents and needs to dispose of it responsibly.

To reflect concerns with the environment – which now face us all – Spies Hecker is helping all businesses using its products to reduce the waste their company produces, and to responsibly recycle or dispose of waste when needed.

“Environmental and Waste Management” is a new booklet produced by Spies Hecker for Colors Unlimited International (CUI) members; which explains how to create a more responsible approach to waste within a company and how to reduce the amount of waste created. With input from an industry expert, it also explains the law regarding all the different types of waste that a vehicle repairer is likely to produce.

Most importantly it also reveals that reducing waste, and waste disposal costs, saves money and makes a serious contribution to the profits of any business.

Which is good news for the vehicle repairer, and for the environment!

Speedy students.

Spies Hecker lends its support to young designers.

Design, develop and produce a Formula 1 car – this was the challenging task of the Formula Student international design competition. 78 prototypes from all over the world were presented in 2008 at such famous race circuits as the Hockenheimring in Germany.

Among them was the Race-Ing. Team of Dortmund’s College for Higher Professional Training in Germany. “We built our sports car ourselves,” Stefan Rathmann of the 25-strong team explains. Building the body, power train and engine, the students of the vehicle and transport engineering course ambitiously took up the challenge, funding their car solely with donations. The black-and-gold paintwork was supplied by paint manufacturer Spies Hecker.

The outcome is a 100 hp, 280 kilo race car with a carbon fibre chassis and an eye-catching exterior.

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Focus on fashion.

Matt and natural hues are the colours of the future on the catwalks of the world – and no less so at the International Madrid Motor Show. In cooperation with car maker Ford and paint manufacturer Spies Hecker, David Delfin, a well known Spanish designer, has converted the current Focus Coupé-Cabriolet into a genuine trendsetter. The concept car abounds with elegance and originality inside and outside.

True masters.

Highly motivated bodyshops all over the world competed for inclusion in the Spies Hecker Calendar 2009, and over 300 entrants from 25 countries sent in their masterpieces. “The success of Spies Hecker’s ‘Masterpieces’ shows that the trade is creative, enthusiastic and passionate about what it does,” explains Peter Wingen from Spies Hecker Marketing. The best of the best in 2009 is the Finnish Krohns bodyshop with its restored VW T1 Custom in a design finish. 2nd place went to Aregger in Switzerland for its design-finished cigarette speedboat, and 3rd came the Eco-Volvo C30 from the Bilia bodyshop in Sweden.

The outstanding quality of the work received has been reflected by the response to the calendar. Peter Wingen: “Over the last four years, a total of 1,500 bodyshops from all over the world have participated – a resounding success.” And the interest is as strong as ever. The 2010 calendar is continuing the tradition. “The competition is thus moving into its fifth round – and we’re again expecting an abundance of outstanding work.” This is a great opportunity for the bodyshop to present its “masterpiece” to the trade public. For Peter Wingen is convinced that “every bodyshop is a hotbed of talent.”

The winners have been chosen: The best Masterpieces 2009 in the Spies Hecker competition come from Finland, Switzerland and Sweden.

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ems-p.com

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Some refinishers find colours are easy.

Matching new colours is easier than you think. Use ColorDialog spectro with the CRplus software and you’ll identify the right formulation in seconds. A great combination of tools for your bodyshop.

Spies Hecker – simply closer.

Spies Hecker - DuPont Performance Coatings - Wedgwood Way - Stevenage - Herts SG1 4QN - www.spieshecker.co.uk