colorexpert Produ ct Sy st e ms • Co lo r s • Tra i ni ng • Mar ket i ng
Project Volksrodder.
Products Hi-TEC
Performance System. Color ColorDialog Delta-Scan. Marketing Customer types.
2012 Spies Hecker – simply closer.
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colorexpert
Editorial
Thomas Melzer, Brand Manager Spies Hecker GmbH.
Tradition meets innovation. Dear Reader, Our trade is constantly changing. If bodyshops want not only to keep up, but also to compete on the highest level at all times, they have to be open to new technological trends. At the same time, values and traditions can still be useful. It is our conviction that a proven business strategy is the best foundation for innovation – and ultimately for success. We, to, can look back on a long and successful tradition – this year Spies Hecker celebrates its 130th anniversary.
In touch with the industry.
srodder Win a Volk T-shir t at:
om/ shecker.c www.spie er volksrodd
One of Spies Hecker’s key principles has always been to identify trends early on and come up with matching solutions. This way, its partner businesses can respond flexibly and skilfully and master all the challenges they’re confronted with. In this issue, you can find out all about such technological milestones as the HiTEC Performance System. Whatever the material – base coat, clear coat or surfacer – it’s all adapted to Permahyd® HiTEC 480. The outcome is even greater process security and nothing but immaculate finishes. There’s also a new product for application on large surfaces. VOC-compliant Permafleet® Hi-TEC 680 Base Coat brings an entirely new standard of refinish quality to commercial vehicles.
And talking of technologies of the future: as you know, Spies Hecker has had a strong commitment to electronic colour measurement for some time now. With the new ColorDialog Delta-Scan, it is now possible to identify not only the color, but also the effect at the same time – with precision, ease and speed. Along with the above-mentioned and many other innovations, we are also bringing back history in a new guise in this issue. Do you remember the “Pretzel Beetle”? Austrian airbrush artist Knud Tiroch has breathed new life into a scrapped model. The outcome is a powerful engine, broad tyres and a low-riding body – a hot rod, painted with the Hi-TEC Performance System. The Volksrodder is a wonderful example of the accomplished blending of the time-honoured with the totally new. Allow yourself to be inspired – and take part in our prize competition at the same time. Enjoy your read of the new issue dedicated to the fascinating world of colors and painting!
Yours Thomas Melzer
colorexpert – tips and information for bodyshops • © SPIES HECKER GMBH, 50858 Köln, Horbeller Str. 17, Germany • Email: Patrick.Kreuz@deu.spieshecker.com Internet: www.spieshecker.com • Responsible under the German Press Act: Karsten Jürs • Editors: Patrick Kreuz, Christian Simmert • Layout: Adfactory GmbH, Düsseldorf • Text: Mediaservice GmbH, Neuss Reader: LLINGUA, Gelsenkirchen • Images: Spies Hecker, CH Coatings AG, ITW Finishing Systems and Products, Hedson Technologies AB, Metalak B.V. • 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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ColorDialog
A new dimension in color measurement. The new ColorDialog Delta-Scan measures the color and the effect at the same time – quickly, precisely and digitally. Whether solid colors, metallics or effects, the range of OEM colors is growing in complexity. For years now, Spies Hecker has been assisting innovative bodyshops with digital color management – and is constantly refining it so that bodyshops can respond effectively even to the very latest trends.
“With the newly developed ColorDialog Delta-Scan, refinishers get to the matching formula faster,” says Dietmar Wegener, Spies Hecker color expert, adding: “The device measures not only the color but also the effect, which simplifies data evaluation enormously. For each reading, the device issues a correction formula that can be displayed side-by-side with the measured color on the screen. Comparisons with color chips will soon be a thing of the past.” Another new feature of the ColorDialog Delta-Scan is the color touchscreen. Wegener: “Convenient menu guidance is assured with neatly laid-out, self-explanatory icons.” For inputs, it’s also possible to use the touch pen planted on the side of the Delta-Scan housing.
Precise measurement. The Delta-Scan measures the paint surface with multi-angle optics and analyses the color effect at the same time. “A rubber ring on the measuring head excludes external light and reflections to improve the quality of the reading,” says color specialist Wegener, listing further technical innovations of the device. In addition, four contact pins on the measuring head ensure that the ColorDialog DeltaScan sits correctly on the surface. Additional LEDs increase the light intensity during measurement and contribute to exceptionally precise scanning.
The calibration of the Delta-Scan also saves time, as the much longer intervals reduce the associated workload. “Usually, the refinisher only has to calibrate the device once a month,” Wegener explains.
The software does more. The CRplus software has also been upgraded. The new software module ensures the straight forward application and evaluation of the measurement results. The color comparison on the screen has a very user-friendly design and takes you quickly to the desired color formula. The measured data are automatically compared with some 250,000 formulas from the database. The Delta-Scan also has internal data storage for the direct retrieval of car manufacturer and other color information. There’s no doubt about it: whatever the paint finish – solid color, metallic or pearl effect – with the new ColorDialog DeltaScan, forward-looking refinishers get to the desired formula faster The device is due for launch soon.
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colorexpert
Top-Story
Hot rod Beetle! Beetlemania meets Hot Rod Art. Knud Tiroch and Spies Hecker present a global first: the “Volksrodder”. A powerful engine and broad tyres. A chopped, low-riding body. And yet, when you see the hot rod, you can’t help thinking of a VW Beetle. It’s an art project, an impassioned statement on behalf of Volkswagen’s cult car. A modified and tuned variation on a historic car theme. “The Beetle is a car that’s accompanied people down the years, from one generation to the next,” says Austrian airbrush artist Knud Tiroch about his project. “It has inspired love, hate, desperation and hope. As a military utility vehicle in the war. And then as the first car that became affordable to many in the 1950s. It has seen revolutions and experienced Flower Power in the Sixties. It is the Volkswagen per se.”
Car with a soul. The artist has been specialising in “pimping up” muscle cars and hot rods for years now. In his Hot Rod Hangar in Vienna, Knud Tiroch and his son Dominic have breathed new life into the ‘Pretzel Beetle’. “This hot rod tells a new story of the forgotten Beetle that was abandoned on the scrapheap of history, along with a battered old Opel Diplomat with a GM V8 engine,” says the artist, explaining his source of inspiration. “One day, the Opel really was scrapped. And the wings were taken off the Beetle. The little one thought to himself: ‘Surely this can’t be the end of the road?!’ It wasn’t, for the Beetle came back to life as the ‘Volksrodder’.”
The hot rod style The project has a message: “If you firmly believe in something, it may one day come true.” This idea is indeed motivation for many – including the Spies Hecker team in Cologne. This was where the complete body was rebuilt and painted with Spies Hecker Hi-TEC 480. Many motifs and the Volksrodder’s logo have been incorporated in the paint finish itself. There’s a hint of barbed wire trailing across the vehicle superstructure. The
Dominic and Knud Tiroch
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interior of the Volksrodder is more reminiscent of that of a B-52 bomber. Lots of brushed aluminium, heavy bomber seats, retro style and plenty of brass. The windows are of red solar glass to provide protection from the UV radiation on the salt lake. “Its look harks back to the highspeed races on American salt flats, the Bonneville Salt Flat Races,” says Knud Tiroch, explaining his interpretation of the interior. The position of the 700 hp engine symbolises the typical hot rod. Originally at the rear of the Beetle, it is now, in a powered-up version, at the front. Strongly accentuated with body parts made of milled aluminium. Many details on the Volksrodder only reveal themselves at second glance. The
is why I’ve added this feature to the lowest part of the body.”
We know no bounds. Technically, the project was a real challenge for the Spies Hecker team. “We’ve achieved our goal,” says a proud Frank Barduna, Technical Manager at Spies Hecker. “Despite the historic body of bare steel and the new add-on parts, we succeeded in applying an absolutely immaculate finish.” Knud Tiroch has been working with Spies Hecker for 30 years now. “I really appreciate these guys with their specialised paint knowledge and their commitment,” says the Austrian, happy with their latest cooperative venture. “For my projects I need the best technical solutions available on the market. For the finish, I didn’t hesitate to choose the Hi-TEC Performance System.”
Passion for technology The Volksrodder is unique. Handmade down to the finest detail, no compromises. Weight 700 kilos with a 700 hp engine. Body: VW Beetle Type VW 1 (Pretzel Beetle), dating back to the beginning of the Nineteen Fifties. Engine: Chevrolet racing engine, 6.6 litre displacement, 700 hp, 8 cylinders, 700 R transbrake (General Motors), computer-controlled ACCEL injection system.
Floor panel
bottom floor panel has been embellished with graffiti of the Berlin Wall. The artist explains: “With this graffiti, I want to show that history always accompanies us in our lives – like the Wall that unnecessarily divided Germany for almost 30 years. This
Typical hot rod: Roof chopped by 20 cm. The body has been channelled, i.e. lowered over the frame, the wheel arches enlarged and the engine exposed at the front. Working hours roughly 1,000. Tyres: 525/15 Pro-Drag. Paint: Spies Hecker Permahyd® Hi-TEC Performance System.
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colorexpert
Interview & Practice
A class apart! The paint finish on the Volksrodder called for a technical master class. Frank Barduna describes how the Spies Hecker team rebuilt the body and surfaces. What was special about this project? Michael Kramer, JĂśrg Sandner and Frank Barduna (from the left to right) teamed up with Knud Tiroch to style the Volksrodder at the Spies Hecker Center.
Substrate preparation and the painting were very precise. Don’t forget that this is, after all, a chopped Fifties Beetle body. Bare steel. The geometry of the Beetle and the production of an absolutely
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super-smooth surface – this alone was a huge challenge, but one that we were determined to overcome.
What substrate work was necessary? Every single part had to be treated with meticulous care. The overall surface had to be rebuilt to create a tangible level surface and smooth transitions between adjacent parts, inside and outside. We had to adjust the roof beam, door frame and gap dimensions again and again. These jobs alone kept the team busy for a whole week. It was particularly important throughout the project to make sure that the treated surface got corrosion protection again and again. This is the only way of giving the Volksrodder a lasting and high-quality finish.
The design and paint finish are also a class apart. Correct. First we applied the base coat in the ground color. Then Knud Tiroch applied the design at the Spies Hecker Center. After this, we sprayed an effect color over the plastic film, then peeled off the film and applied the clear coat. After sanding, we applied clear coat again and sanded it again. Then we jointly applied the logo with the Volksrodder signet and flames on the side, sprayed another film of clear coat over it and sanded it. This cycle was repeated again before the final film of clear coat was applied. Finally, the surface was totally smooth.
How much time did you invest in it? Difficult to say, because we were totally absorbed in the project together with Knud Tiroch. It must have been more than 250 working hours. But that’s all water under the bridge. What counts is the result. Thanks, Frank, for telling us the story.
Step by step: The hot rod paint system Step 1: Corrosion protection on the body – Priomat® Wash Primer 4075 – Permasolid® HS Vario Surfacer 5320 grey Step 2: Rebuilding the surfaces – Raderal® IR Premium Putty 2035 – Raderal® Fine Putty 0911 Step 3: Corrosion protection on sanded-through areas – Priomat® Wash Primer 4075 – Permasolid® HS Vario Surfacer 5320 grey Step 4: Smoothing the surfaces, levelling minor irregularities – Raderal® Spray Polyester 3508 Step 5: Corrosion protection on the bare metal, isolating the surfacer, final touches – Priomat® Wash Primer 4075 – Permasolid® HS Performance Surfacer 5320* grey Step 6: Painting – Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480 – Permasolid® HS Clear Coat 8055 *Permasolid® HS Performance Surfacer 5320 grey is due for launch soon.
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colorexpert
Training/Interview
Cross-border network.
“Train the Trainer” is the name of the international Spies Hecker training strategy. At regular intervals, Frank Barduna of Technical Service International trains technical consultants from roughly 18 countries at Cologne headquarters. The expert also travels repeatedly to the various Spies Hecker locations so that he can work with local technicians under local conditions. In this interview, Samuel Martínez from Spain, Mariusz Safarzyński from Poland and Frank Barduna report on their close communication – and outline how all Spies Hecker refinishers all over the world ultimately benefit.
What’s the thinking behind the “Train the Trainer” strategy? Barduna:The most important thing for us at Spies Hecker is the close personal networking between all of our people, irrespective of national borders. Whether the subject is innovative paint technologies or complex repair methods, only those who are right up to date can explain properly to customers what it’s all about. And this doesn’t just mean making our knowledge at German headquarters available all over the world. We can of course resort to the latest equipment and hypermodern technology. But for us it’s just as important to listen to the experience of technicians in other countries. We’re fully committed to the principle of mutual learning.
The second part of the strategy envisages training sessions locally – so as to
lend depth to the newly acquired knowledge. We witness how the technical consultants pass on their expertise to their technicians – who pass it on in turn to bodyshops. We therefore attach great importance to a uniformly high quality of training. It’s the bodyshop that ultimately benefits, in whatever country it happens to be. This is the only way we can uphold the high standard of our wide-ranging technical support services.
Martinez: I agree entirely. In Cologne I get straight answers to the questions that are important for my work in Spain. There’s also a spirit of familiarity at headquarters. The atmosphere and the people are incredibly welcoming, helpful and obliging – and this for me is the best basis for successful cooperation.
Incidentally, we’re constantly extending the strategy and adapting it to current developments and trends. For instance, we’ve currently got an e-learning project in preparation which will enable technicians in the various countries to obtain additional training online.
Frank, you train the experts in their countries.
What do you as technical consultants appreciate about the training sessions at the Spies Hecker Center? Safarzyński: Matt paints, new effect finishes, modern application techniques and color identification: a great many technical innovations come onto the market every year. And this means new challenges for us refinishers. At headquarters in Cologne, we’ve got the chance to find out about and discuss new trends. It’s an ideal forum for exchanging views. To be quite honest, we’re right at the source …
Barduna: Yes, as I mentioned just now, this is extremely important for us. Because only on location in the various countries can we personally experience the different conditions under which our customers have to work. The equipment, environmental factors and the local mentality – only when we go personally to the places where our consultants train our customers can we gain a genuine understanding of the realities in the country in question. This is an absolutely essential aspect of our strategy. We want to be simply closer.
Mariusz and Samuel, what’s your assessment of local training? Safarzyński: It’s definitely a very useful addition to training in Cologne. The
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people in Cologne give us wholehearted support with implementation – such as in the changeover to the Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480 waterborne base coat system. Martínez: There’s no substitute for the training sessions locally in Madrid. In Spain we’ve got a market situation that differs a lot from that in other countries. And, taking the example of climate, we’ve got to battle with totally different conditions than the Fins, for example. And then we not only use to some extent different equipment, but it’s also important to realise that Spanish customers have their own views and needs.
What are the important factors in other countries? Barduna: I’d like to take up the example of the climate. Due to the hot, dry weath-
safeguard the quality of the paints and systems. In a country like Poland, on the other hand – and Mariusz knows all about it – the winters are extremely cold. Here again, all conceivable precautions have to be taken to prevent paint defects. We give advice on how to correctly store, transport and apply the material. Or let’s take another example. Owing to the financial crisis, there’s been a strong emphasis on efficiency for some time in almost all countries. Many bodyshops therefore come to the Training Center to gird themselves for the increasingly fierce competition in their countries. And we’re ready to help them. Frank, Mariusz and Samuel – thanks very much for the interview!
A turn for the better. The Spies Hecker Mixing Ratio Disc. This is an indispensable aid that the refinisher should always have within reach. On the two-sided disc are all the VOC-compliant paint products including Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480 that are of relevance for modern bodyshops. The disc indicates the mixing ratios of primers, surfacers, base coat and clear coat and the matching additives and hardeners.
er in summer in countries like Spain, refinishers are confronted with tough conditions. Up to 40 °C in the sun and hardly any humidity – yet the ideal storage and application temperature for paint materials is 20 °C. Appropriate measures therefore have to be taken in the bodyshop to
As of now, the handy Mixing Ratio Disc from Spies Hecker is also available in digital form for mobile use on smartphones and iPads.
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colorexpert
Hi-TEC Tools
The right additive every time! The Spies Hecker Climate Poster for Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480 provides at-aglance assistance. Which additive should the refinisher use when applying Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480? WT Additive 6050 or WT Additive 6052? The Spies Hecker Climate Poster tells the refinisher which of the two additives is used with Hi-TEC 480 Base Coat for the given ambient temperature, humidity and size of repair – quickly and at a glance.
Tone colors. Spies Hecker brings color to the world of music. Be it Sunset Stream, Luminous Blue Pearl or Macadamia Brown Metallic, modern Permahyd® Hi-TEC colors are as of now revitalising the image of WERSI organs. The most celebrated example is the show organ of internationally famed composer, music producer and virtuoso organist Robert Bartha. His LOUVRE GS100 has been painted in Volcano Magic, a color specially developed for WERSI. “We’re delighted to be able to work with the MUSIC STORE in Cologne,
which now handles sales of WERSI organs. As a result, we’ve been privileged to support the world’s greatest artist in the organ scene with paint products for his show instrument,” says chuffed color expert Dietmar Wegener. “Even today, organ music has plenty of fans, young and old. The ‘dusty’ image of what was once known as the ‘home organ’ is well and truly a thing of the past,” he reports. A claim underscored by the new paint finishes now available for WERSI organs.
White on the ascendancy. Worldwide, 60 to 70 per cent of cars have white, silver, black or grey paintwork. In 2011 however, white surged to the fore. According to the Global Automotive Color Popularity Report, this color occupies the No. 1 position worldwide. This represents a quantum leap, as white was back in fourth place in 2010. Among car colors in Europe, black still heads the field, but now has white hard on its heels. But white is not just white. As an additional base coat film, pearl is a source of new effects, such as Volkswagen’s Oryx White. “There’s a clear trend towards
light-colored pearl effects,” Frank Barduna of Technical Service International explains. “On the production line, these are now being applied more often than ever in multi-stage finishes, simply because much more has now become technically possible.” “However, repairs to many new colors are only possible with the special effect pigments that are additionally available today.”
Automotive color preferences in 2011. Europe’s favorite colors.
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Equipment
A spirit of tradition and passion. “Dr Allen DeVilbiss” – a man who wrote paint history. Effortlessly wielding modern spray guns, today’s refinishers skilfully apply paint to vehicle surfaces. This item of equipment, the stock-in-trade of the present-day bodyshop, can in fact look back on a long development history. We’ve all heard of Carl Benz. For it was this German that invented the motor car in Stuttgart 125 years ago. But what few people know is that the invention of the spray gun is at least as old as the first automobile. When Henry Ford had his first car series built on the production line in 1912, “Permanent” vehicle paint was already being produced by Spies Hecker in Cologne. At the time, asphalt and oil paints were still applied with a brush – a method that was hardly compatible with the production line. This is when the spray gun really came into its own.
From the atomiser to the modern spray gun. Its history goes back to the 1880s. At the time, it was usual for doctors to coat patients’ sore throats with Vaseline or goose grease – a cumbersome but nevertheless highly efficacious remedy. Yet
the doctor and tinkerer Dr Allen DeVilbiss in rural Ohio, USA, was convinced there must be a more pleasant way of administering treatment to his patients with sore throats. In his quest for an effective method of treatment, he developed in his little workshop the first adjustable spraying device consisting of a rubber ball, a metal can and a short tube. The doctor filled the metal container with Vaseline and heated it over the flame of a candle to melt it into a sprayable liquid. When the ball was squeezed, the device released a cloud of medicine. He then fitted an adjustable tip enabling him to vary the spray pattern. DeVilbiss lost no time in applying for a patent. This was effectively the birth of the modern spray gun. Not only did the invention bring welcome relief to his patients, but word of it also soon got around – and the atomiser went into mass production. In 1907, finally, his son Tom DeVilbiss manufactured the first industrial version
of the medical device – at just the right time. Because in car production, Henry Ford was not alone in his search for more effective paint application methods. Even today, the name of DeVilbiss stands alongside Adolf-Friedrich Hecker at the dawn of modern paint history – a history undoubtedly accelerated by car manufacture and such pioneers as Henry Ford and Carl Benz. In a spirit of tradition, passion and innovative enterprise, the modern spray gun has advanced to what it is today from its beginnings over 125 years ago.
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colorexpert
Energy
Red hot technology. Modern infrared dryers cut costs and optimise the drying process at the same time. However, it’s not a question of the technology alone. You have to use the IR drying technology intelligently if you want to save energy. “Parameters such as object distance, temperature, drying time
Bodyshops rank among the businesses with high energy consumption. What really push costs up are ventilating and heating the booths and drying. Starting up the dryer in order to temper individual body parts is particularly costly. Experts estimate as much as eight euros per hour of operation. With steadily rising energy costs, it’s worth taking a closer look at the drying process. “By organising processes effectively and using IR dryers, refinishers can cut their energy costs,” says Spies Hecker specialist Wolfgang Feyrer. “Compared to the convective drying of individual body parts, energy consumption can be reduced by almost 70 per cent. So this is an area where the bodyshop can really economise.”
Current technical trends. To keep pace with spiralling energy costs, manufacturers are constantly improving the efficiency of their IR dryers. And Hedson, the Swedish manufacturer, is no exception with its IRT brand: “With the new IRT Hyperion series, we’ve boosted energy efficiency by employing gold-coated FreeForm reflectors,” explains Kenneth Lundin, Product Manager Hedson Technologies IRT Systems. As a result, “the optimised heat distribution ensures a uniform temperature and enables a 20 per cent larger repair surface to be treated in the same drying time.” The object is directly heated without the ambient air being warmed at the same time.
and temperature increase have to be precisely set,” says IRT expert Kenneth Lundin, enumerating the key factors. “Modern IR dryers are capable of storing these data. This gives the refinisher greater process security and creates ideal conditions for optimum results.” Many IR dryers are flexible in their use. Along with the drying of putty and surfacer, they can also be used for base and clear coat – both for part resprays and for spot repair jobs. Manufacturers offer different types of equipment. IRT dryers, for example, can be used as cassette dryers on a mobile stand or as railmounted systems in the spray booth. With a hand-held lamp, the unit is also capable of drying poorly accessible parts of the vehicle.
IR drying times Material Putty Surfacer Primer Waterborne base coat Top coat Clear coat Surfacer on plastic Top coat on plastic Clear coat on plastic
Minutes 2–3 3–7 5–8 2–4 6 – 10 5 – 10 7 – 10 15 – 18 15 – 18
The listed times refer to the IRT Hyperion PcAuto series. Source: IRT.
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Accessories
Sontara® Tack Cloth
Taking a new tack. From pre-treatment right through to final polishing, using the right cloths gives you the assurance of an immaculate paint finish. In bodyshops you can often find cloths coated with adhesive. This is where caution is advised, for cloths containing chemicals leave a film on the surface being coated. “The product should therefore contain as little tack material as possible so as to prevent wetting problems.”
Quick and reliable absorption. Sontara Degreasing Cloth ®
Dirt and dust are frequent causes of paint defects – and that’s why absolute cleanliness is essential in the bodyshop. “Even if the pressure of deadlines and costs often dominates the refinish process, consistent cleaning always pays off,” stresses Iiro Hakola of DuPont Sontara®. But what are the important points to bear in mind when cleaning? “You can only create dust- and greasefree surfaces if you use technically highgrade cloths with special properties together with the matching cleaners and silicone removers,” the expert explains.
For surface preparation Iiro Hakola recommends the Sontara® Degreasing Cloth that the refinisher uses for thorough pre-treatment of the repair zone. The cloth has a textured surface on one side and can be relied on to quickly wipe up silicone remover, for instance. “Particularly when used with water-based silicone removers, the cloth goes a long way towards reducing flaws in the priming materials or top coat.” The key properties of the lint-free degreasing cloth are its toughness and extreme tear resistance – even in its wet state. Before the application of surfacer, base coat and clear coat, the surface should again be thoroughly cleaned. The Son-
tara® Tack Cloth, for instance, removes dirt and dust particles. Such a cloth should fluff as little as possible and not leave any residues,” says Hakola summing up.
Cleanliness pays off! To create an immaculate surface finish, an extremely soft cloth is used – the Sontara® Polishing Cloth. “This cloth is free of additives that can cause streaks as well as being fleecy and lint-free, and its fibres are so soft that damage to the paint finish is excluded,” is the professional’s advice. This makes it ideal for polishing chrome and glass and parts of the interior. Furthermore, the various cloths should always be regularly replaced. The rule of thumb is one cloth per process. “Anyone using the same cloth the whole day shouldn’t be surprised if the paint surface turns out to be flawed.” Cleanliness simply pays off. “Using the right cloth makes far more sense than having to remedy the consequences of sloppy preparation,” says Iiro Hakola in conclusion.
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colorexpert
OEM Trends
The changing face of painting. Automotive finishing is constantly changing. So what are the current and future trends? And what will be their effect on refinishing? Advances in automotive series finishing are having an ever greater effect on refinishing. More and more is now becoming technically possible on car manufacturers production lines. “Obviously, changes in OEM paintwork won’t affect refinishing overnight,” says Peter Minko, Manager Process & Application at DuPont. “At the same time, the trends emerging in the car industry are pretty momentous!”
Mass-produced change. A glance at the production methods shows what’s in store for bodyshops. “In the future, the depth of roughness at the electrophoretic priming stage will be significantly reduced, which means that the substrate for subsequent base and clear coat application will be more level. The entire paint system thus becomes appreciably smoother,” is the expert’s assessment. Minko also expects the layer of surfacer to vanish in the next ten years. DuPont refers to this as its “EcoConcept” – some three million cars have so far been painted surfacer-free. Consequently, “the film thickness has to be applied extremely evenly – from one end of the car to the other,” the expert explains. “The paint film is thus more uniform. This ensures greater color constancy and better color flow.” In terms of refinishing, “the process makes color identification easier, as there are fewer different color nuances on a single vehicle.”
How does a car manufacturer like Volkswagen see color trends? One thing is certain: not only are car manufacturers turning to the latest technical trends, but designers are also becoming more creative in color development. Car colors are becoming increasingly important as a selling point.
“We develop the matching color language for each vehicle type and size,” says Oona Scheepers, Senior Designer Color & Trim at Volkswagen, outlining the approach at Europe’s biggest car maker. “At the IAA, for example, we presented the R-Line in Fire Spark Red Chroma. The striking four-stage effect color underlines the sporting character of the special models. Customers up to the age of 40 are often bolder in their choice of color. Motorists of 45 and upwards tend to go for what they’re familiar with and what they think will last.”eher das Beständige und Bekannte.“
More coats and tinted clear coat. All vehicle manufacturers are resorting to novel effect paints with strong colors for their mass models. Nissan, for instance,
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is catching the eye with its extraordinary KAB Ultimate Metal Silver, and Ford with its potent Hot Magenta and its new Midnight Sky. On the other hand, Toyota, Porsche, Opel, Renault and other manufacturers are amplifying brand identity with effect paints containing special Colorstream pigments. For bright colors, new effects are achieved with tinted clear coat. In the small car segment in particular, the clear coat gives red, for example, deeper brilliance and enhanced luminosity. On the production line today, we’re now finding more multistage finishes than ever – lighter pearl effects, for instance. “More is simply technically feasible today,” Minko concludes. This means that refinishers will be repairing three- and multi-stage colors more often from now on. “However, the refinishing of many new colors is only possible with special effect pigments.” Two current examples of refinishing:
Ford’s Midnight Sky can be repaired with Permahyd® Hi-TEC Mixing Color WT312 Magic Fire. For the Chevrolet color Dynamic Orange, Hi-TEC Mixing Color WT383 Brilliant Orange is used.
Finding the right color faster. “We’ve responded effectively to new trends with beautifully balanced refinish solutions and professional color management,” says Frank Barduna, Tech-
nical Service International at Spies Hecker, commenting finally on the refinishing trends of the future. What’s more, the mixing formulas of current colors can be retrieved straight from the Internet. One example is Midnight Sky, which Ford’s series models have only been sprayed with since 2011. Almost simultaneously with launch at Ford, the repair formulas became available in the Spies Hecker Color Finder as well. Incidentally, in addition to color codes and names, you can also find the models sprayed with Midnight Sky on the production line. Plus the colors are visually displayed.
Summary: In vehicle refinishing today and in the future, not only is specialised technical knowledge called for, but also the right information on the color variant in question. Mixing formulas, special paint and its application – anyone who wants to paint cars in future, will have to be aware of the latest developments in technology and colors. Changes in series finishing will thus make the refinishing process even more challenging. How to find the right color faster: www.spieshecker.com/colorfinder
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colorexpert
Hi-TEC
Hi-TEC Performance System. Professionals use integrated paint systems. A system, for example, in which the surfacer and clear coat are precisely adapted to modern Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480 waterborne base coat. It’s essential to have paint products you can rely on. Products that ensure easy and reliable application and powerfully enhance efficient work processes. “With the new Performance System comprising HS surfacer, Hi-TEC base coat and HS clear coat, the refinisher has a fully balanced complete package to work with,” enthuses Frank Barduna, head of Technical Service International at Spies Hecker. “Paint defects are thus reduced to a minimum.”
Everything in a single system. “A firm foundation is provided by new Permasolid® HS Performance Surfacer 5320,” Frank Barduna explains. “The product is very easy to apply, shows good overspray absorption and thus dries to a smooth surface with good vertical stability and outstanding sanding characteristics.” Spies Hecker Hi-TEC 480 waterborne base coat, on the other hand, is distinguished among other things by its high opacity and color accuracy. The Performance System includes three clear coats. For universal applications,
conditions. Since it is also extremely flexible in its application and dries very quickly, it is ideal for use on Speed Repair jobs, for instance. For superlative results combined with reliable application, Permasolid® HS Clear Coat 8034 is the No. 1 choice. “It too can be used on any repair and is an assu-
HS Clear Coat 8055 HS Optimum Plus Clear Coat 8650 HS Clear Coat 8034
there’s Permasolid® HS Clear Coat 8055. “It’s suitable for all repairs and is simple, flexible and reliable in its application,” the Spies Hecker expert continues. Its range of uses covers standard repairs such as mudguards and doors and partial resprays that can be handled in a single pass (1.5 coats). Permasolid® HS Optimum Plus Clear Coat 8650 is a high-productivity clear coat that always achieves impeccable results, even in less than perfect booth
rance of top quality,” says a delighted Frank Barduna. “It is simply ideal for design finishes and personalised full resprays and can be effortlessly applied in two coats.” Standard repairs can be executed cost-effectively in a single pass (1.5 coats). The product’s properties: good vertical stability, extra-high build and excellent gloss. The clear coat also polishes very well. All in all, the new Performance System delivers much more than just outstan-
ding results – and regardless of which employee applies the system. Straightforward sanding and rapid application and drying of the materials speed up vehicle processing and increase bodyshop throughput.
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Image
A system you can count on.
New Permasolid® HS Performance Surfacer 5320 creates a sound substrate for all kinds of repairs.
Sporting passions. With everything from the white Ferrari F430 and the tuned Mercedes SLS Brabus to the noble Wiesmann, the current Spies Hecker “Passions” Calendar demonstrates an enthusiasm for sport and
luxury. “This time we’ve put the spotlight on sporty vehicles,” explains Peter Wingen of Marketing International. At the photo shoots, bodyshops in Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland pulled out all the stops with their outstanding paint finishes.
The photo shoots left lasting impressions on both the bodyshops and the Spies Hecker team. Peter Wingen: “The Wiesmann plant in Germany is both unique and remarkable. The picture for the calendar sheet was taken in the production shop. Despite the shop’s size and ongoing production, the sense of organisation during the shoot was fascinating.” Whatever the vehicle – an elegant classic car, spectacular model aeroplane or a huge commercial vehicle – every single subject of the new Spies Hecker Calendar 2012 is a real stunner in its workshop setting. The images are supplemented by pictures of the respective owners, bodyshop managers or refinishers – all of them Spies Hecker customers with a whole-hearted dedication to painting.
The distinctive feature of this innovative product is its high solids content. “This means a little goes a long way,” stresses Frank Barduna of Technical Service. But this is by no means all. The economical surfacer also ensures excellent overspray absorption and good surface levelling. “What’s more, the surfacer can also be quickly and easily sanded after drying.” It is applied in anything from one to three coats, and its mixing ratio with Permasolid® VHS Hardeners is 5:1. In developing this high-grade Performance Surfacer, Spies Hecker has also followed the latest trend in automotive colors. The product is therefore available not only in black and medium grey, but also of course in white. Barduna: “With these three colors, the surfacer can be adapted perfectly to the base coat.”
Numerous approvals. The 2K HS sanding surfacer has meanwhile been approved by various car brands. This is becoming increasingly important, as car makers specify certain paint materials and systems for refinishes. “Because they’re bound by their guarantees and warranties,” the Spies Hecker expert explains. * Permasolid® HS Performance Surfacer 5320 grey is due for launch soon.
You can download the calendar images at www.spieshecker.com/calendar2012
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Commercial Vehicles
New paint system for large surfaces. The new Hi-TEC 680* waterborne paint system for commercial vehicle finishes yields greater process security on large surfaces. Spies Hecker’s Permafleet® Hi-TEC 680 is a base coat developed especially for large surfaces – on such objects as buses, drivers’ cabs, dropsides, box bodies, superstructures and special-purpose vehicles. “Our aim is for high repair quality – particularly if powerful effects are to be achieved,” says Arno Steyns, commercial vehicle specialist at Spies Hecker. Used for the original finish or for repairs, Permafleet® Hi-TEC 680 is an assurance of absolutely dependable results. The VOC-compliant Hi-TEC base coat covers a broad spectrum of colors and permits the reliable application of metallic and pearl effect colors. Thanks to its excellent overspray absorption, it proves to be economical on large surfaces as well. Arno Steyns sheds light on the technology behind it: “Permafleet® Hi-TEC 680 Base Coat exploits patented hybrid technology and thus ensures particularly uniform effect formation. High pigmentation improves its opacity.” A specially developed additive helps to improve spraying behaviour. The expert continues: “The positive effect of Permafleet® WT Additive 6060 on the base coat’s viscosity is an advantage when spraying large surfaces.”
Permafleet® Hi-TEC 680 Climate Poster. The Climate Poster for Permafleet® Hi-TEC 680 helps users choose the right WT additive in relation to local temperature and humidity.
The top coat is impressive with its easy and flexible application and good hiding power. What’s more, it’s now also possible to mask the paint even faster and more neatly – an important factor in view of the popularity of design finishes on commercial vehicles. * Permafleet® Hi-TEC 680 is to be launched soon.
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Setting the tone. Permafleet® Hi-TEC 680 – system recommendation. The Permafleet® paint system comes with the outstanding chemical and mechanical properties so important for commercial vehicles and multi-color finishes. This commercial vehicle paint can be applied in two different paint combinations:
Substrates can be adapted to the base or top coat with the matching Permafleet® surfacer color levels. With the white, light-grey and dark-grey color levels from Spies Hecker, the bo-
1. Top system wet-on-wet with Permafleet® VHS Non-Sanding Surfacer 5620 and 2. High-Class system with sanded HS Bus Surfacer 5530.
dyshop improves the efficiency of its
For high-quality effect finishes, we recommend a final coat of HS Clear Coat 8320/8330.
the hiding power of the base or top coat.
commercial vehicle finishing. By selecting the matching Permafleet® surfacer ground color, it’s possible to enhance But where do you find the color level? “The ground color is given on the can of the ready-mixed base coat or top coat,” explains Arno Steyns, Spies Hecker commercial vehicle specialist. “If you mix the color yourself in the bodyshop, the color level of the matching surfacer is indicated by the CRplus color software and in the ColorFinder on the Internet.” The desired opacity can be achieved with only 1.5 spray passes and thus saves material. “When painting commercial vehicles with their large surfaces, this really is a useful advantage,” says Arno Steyns. The color levels for Permafleet® surfacer are available for the Permafleet® Top Coat Series 630/670/675 and, as of October 2012, for new Permafleet® Hi-TEC 680 Base Coat.
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Color
Electrifying colors. “In six or seven years, we shall find that a new era of the motor car has dawned with the onset of electromobility,” says a convinced Oona Scheepers, Senior Designer Color & Trim at Volkswagen. At the IAA last year, the car manufacturer presented its new “E-Up!” model, whose very design is bolder, dynamic and looks almost futuristic. “We’re developing a color language specifically for electric cars. A technical silver blue as on the E-Up! and white stand for the electric drive.” Elke Dirks, Color Designer at DuPont Automotive OEM Coatings, has identified new trends. “Electric cars have to look both modern and eco-friendly. Ideally, the exterior color lends expression to the forward-looking ecological strategy.” In Europe, she believes, car makers are mostly going for satin metallics in light-colored, pastel shades evocative of nature. “These color effects are chosen to stress the close relationship between futuristic technology and nature – as with a frost effect, for example.” In this context, white is also considered an important “front color”. In Asia, “ice blue” is the key color symbolising the eco-generation. In the USA, on the other hand, fine metallic paintwork draws attention to the shift towards fuel- and emission-saving models.
Training camp.
Alex Klassen, Daniel Plog and David Kloster jointly styled the iMiev at the Spies Hecker Center.
“How would you depict the future of electromobility in a paint finish?” This is the question put by Spies Hecker to upand-coming refinishers in a training project. What was wanted was an extra-creative finish for the white electrically powered i-MiEV compact car from Mitsubishi. “The suggestions were all very lively and imaginative, and we ultimately chose a blend of three of them,” says Dietmar Rausch, Manager of the Spies Hecker Center in Cologne, enthusiastically summing up the results of the project. From thorough substrate pre-treatment and elaborate design work through to the final clear coat, the trainees had two whole days to put their ideas into practice with expert equipment – and show what they had learnt so far. Most enjoyable of all, they claimed, was working on the details of the stylistic design elements and the shading. The white electric car is now adorned with multilayer printed circuit boards, plug sockets and plugs. The youngsters were absolutely delighted to be able to work at the Spies Hecker Center. A project that ought to spur them on for the rest of their training in their respective bodyshops.
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Marketing
Colorful characters. Are you a red type? Or more of a green? Colors are closely associated with personality types. The business owner can respond better to customers by using a color classification system.
Whatever the task – dealing with complaints, negotiating a deal or attracting new customers – a good measure of sensitivity is always required. Understanding what makes people tick means identifying the personality type. At least this is the view of Frank M. Scheelen of SCHEELEN® AG, a German firm devoted to management consultancy and diagnostics. “Personalities can be assigned to different basic types represented by the colors red, yellow, green and blue.”
The colors stand for character types. “To accurately gauge the person you’re dealing with and to select the right conversation strategy, you have to analyse his or her appearance, body language and style of communication according to a certain color classification system.” Does he or she make a determined impression? If so, red is probably the matching personality type. Does the voice lack volume, and does the person seem hesitant? This may be a green type. For the bodyshop, this means the “red type” is a confident negotiator who loves to be served quickly. The “green type”, on the other hand is very reserved at first and demands more attention, understanding and patience. He or she wants above all else to have confidence in the bodyshop’s work.
Targeted customer management. Sociable people belong to the yellow category. They tend to be amiable, humorous and optimistic. In talks with such customers, it’s useful to illustrate repairs and other services with colorful anecdotes. The “blue type” is different again. He or she tends to be critical and thorough. “Present your services without embellishment,” Scheelen advises. “The customer has to be able to immediately identify what’s in it for him. Describe the work precisely.”
Of course, people rarely conform completely to a single color type. Most people are a blend of all personality types. But anyone who studies other people closely can train himself to identify the dominant traits and those that are less pronounced. This takes the strain out of dealing with people, and the bodyshop can respond more effectively to the customer. This is professional customer management that builds confidence.
Finding the right language. Red type: – confident and direct. Clearly defined goals. Conversation strategy: get to the point without detours. Present neatly structured, accurately calculated price quotations. Arguments stressing the advantages are particularly important. Green type: – diffident and hesitant. Rarely speaks unless spoken to. Needs a lot of information to make a decision. Conversation strategy: what count here are trust and details. You should react understandingly and patiently to his or her reservations. Yellow type: – communicative and sociable. Humorous and optimistic. Usually takes decisions without deliberation. Conversation strategy: create a pleasant atmosphere, explain things with imagery. This way you can stimulate his or her enthusiasm. Blue type: – conscientious and critical. Inclined to see risks and dislikes change. Always looking for the best price/performance ratio. Conversation strategy: respond factually and thoughtfully and precisely explain how the customer benefits from the work you’ve suggested.
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Worldwide
the first four places in the competition went to refinishers who use Spies Hecker products.
Flying colors in China. BMW and Spies Hecker are working together in Asia as partners for superlative quality in vehicle refinishing. For the first BMW China Aftersales Painting Competition, the paint manufacturer from Cologne supported BMW AG in Shanghai. Professional refinishers from over 200 dealerships in China attended the sevenmonth competition. The best twelve were selected for the final in Shanghai. “As a close partner to the BMW organisation, we were delighted to be able to support
Eggs and bunnies galore! Swiss Spies Hecker customer Carrosserie Hug in Koppingen took on a special Easter mission. For local company Kofmel Kunststofftechnik AG, it painted oversized red Easter eggs and golden Easter bunnies – the bunnies alone were a metre tall and were used as advertising for the smaller chocolate originals. The Easter eggs were painted with the industrial coating system from Spies Hecker. The lettering and ornamentation under the clear coat were applied with great attention to detail by a graphics artist. In time for Passiontide, the two Easter symbols looked suitably festive in their colors and good enough to eat!
the competition and introduce trade fair visitors to everything to do with professional paint application,” stresses Georg Tautz, Marketing & Strategy Manager Spies Hecker Asia Pacific. Li Cheng, Spies Hecker Sales Manager China, praised the team’s efforts: “Led by our Training Manager Louie Liu, we presented ourselves highly professionally to the market. I’m very proud of our team’s performance.” To crown the success of this involvement,
BMW attaches extra importance to waterborne base coat for professional refinishes, and the new patented technology of Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480, launched in China in 2011, is establishing itself increasingly on the market. More and more bodyshops are using the efficient paint system. Spies Hecker is thus setting totally new standards in China as well.
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Enter the dragon. Once upon a time, there was a dragon. Or, to be more precise, a dragon tattoo on the left arm of a famous Venezuelan baseball player who had played in all the world’s major leagues. And this player wanted nothing more than to have his 55 MTI powerboat with a top speed of a “mere” 320 km/h adorned with a spectacular paint finish. And he wanted the motif to be modelled on his tattoo. He found a suitable boatyard, Guardado Marine in Miami, where a graphic design was computergenerated, showing a multi-colored, fire-spewing dragon. But there was one major obstacle the project had to overcome: the shortage of time. The boat had to be launched in its terrific new outfit before the start of the new baseball season. To achieve the desired detail and vibrancy, nothing could be left to chance. So the Guardado team chose Spies Hecker Permasolid® SpectroFlex Surfacer 5400 and the Permacron® Base Coat Series 293/295. “These products enable us to carry out our work – or rather, our artwork – just as we’d imagined it in our boldest dreams. The paint material has great coverage and dries incredibly fast,” stresses CEO Eduardo Guardado. The customer, at any rate, was absolutely knocked out by the finish. So everyone lived happily ever after. That is, after seven weeks of highly intricate body and paint work. Ten craftsmen were involved overall. And the baseball player? He’s now under contract in Japan – the land famed for its dragon myths.
A change of gear. When he paints racing bikes, Frank Hoste is in his element. The Belgian has been the owner of a cycle workshop since 1991, before which he was a professional road cycle racer for many years. Along with numerous victories in national and international cycle races, he took part in the Tour de France eight times and won five stages. One of the biggest achievements of his career was winning the Green Jersey during the 1984 Tour. In his shop, he now handles frames among other things for the Belgian professional cycling team, but also for private customers. “For instance, we can create a modern and unique design for an old bike so that it looks like new,” Frank Hoste explains. He uses Spies Hecker products because he appreciates their simple application and extra quality.
For Frank Hoste, it’s always an exciting challenge to use innovative technology and incorporate current trends. For example, he combines different effects such as matt and gloss or light colors with a special carbon fibre look. And what is it that he likes about his job? “Being creative and innovative. No two projects are the same. Cycle jobs are always highly individualistic.” Road cycle racing is still Frank Hoste’s great passion. Which is why he’s only too happy to act as a commentator on radio and television during the Tour de France. A hobby that’s the perfect foil to his work.
Our refinishers aim for long partnerships.
Our partner bodyshops have come to rely on balanced product systems, high color accuracy, outstanding finishes and efficient service. We help them with their challenging projects. Because together we achieve more.
Spies Hecker – simply closer.
Spies Hecker GmbH · Horbeller Straße 17 · 50858 Köln · www.spieshecker.de