colorexpert Produ ct Sy st e ms • Co lo urs • Trai n i ng • Marketing
Project Volksrodder.
Products Hi-TEC
Performance System. Colour ColorDialog Delta-Scan. Marketing Our customers.
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 aim to become more profitable and also compete at the highest level, they have to be open to new technological trends. That said, it is still important to keep hold of value and tradition. At Spies Hecker we believe 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:
o.uk/ 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, our business partners can respond promptly and skilfully, identifying all the challenges they’re confronted with. In this issue, you can find out about new technological milestones, such as the Hi-TEC Performance System. Whatever the material – base coat, clear coat or surfacer – it’s all adapted to Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480. The outcome is even greater process security and nothing but immaculate finishes.
the new ColorDialog Delta-Scan, it is now possible to identify not only the colour, but also the effect at the same time – with precision, ease and speed. Along with the aforementioned 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, brought to you by Permahyd® Hi-TEC 480. 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 colours and painting!
Yours Thomas Melzer
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
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 colour measurement. The new ColorDialog Delta-Scan measures the colour and the effect at the same time – quickly, precisely and digitally. Whether solid colours, metallics or effects, the range of OEM colours is growing in complexity. For years now, Spies Hecker has been assisting innovative bodyshops with digital colour 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 colour expert, adding: “The device measures not only the colour 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 colour on the screen. Comparisons with colour chips will soon be a thing of the past.” Another new feature of the ColorDialog Delta-Scan is the colour touchscreen. Wegener: “Convenient menu guidance is assured with neatly laid-out, self-explanatory icons.” The Delta-Scan also comes equipped with a touch pen enab-
ling the user to input information much easier than ever before.
Precise measurement. The Delta-Scan measures the paint surface with multi-angle optics and analyses the colour effect at the same time. “A rubber ring on the measuring head blocks out external light and reflections to improve the quality of the reading,” says colour specialist Wegener, listing further technical innovations of the device. In addition, four contact pins on the measuring head ensure that the ColorDialog Delta-Scan 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. “Usu-
ally, 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 colour comparison on the screen has a very user-friendly design and takes you quickly to the desired colour formula. The measured data is automatically compared with some 250,000 formulas from the database. The DeltaScan also has internal data storage for the direct retrieval of car manufacturer and other colour 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
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 addon 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 is why I’ve added this feature to the lowest part of the body.”
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 absolu-
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tely 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 colour. Then Knud Tiroch applied the design at the Spies Hecker Center. After this, we sprayed an effect colour 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. 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, however for us it’s just as important to listen to the experience of our technicians in other countries. We’re fully committed to the principle of mutual learning.
The second part of the strategy focuses on training sessions locally – adding depth to 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 uniformed high quality of training. It’s the bodyshop that ultimately see the benefits, in whatever country it happens to be. This is the only way we can uphold the high standard of our wide range of technical support services. 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.
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 colour identification: many technical innovations come onto the market every year. This means new challenges for the refinisher. 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 …
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.
Frank, you train the experts in their countries. Barduna: Yes, as I mentioned just now, this is extremely important for us. Only in the location of 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 – play a significant part in training and we can only gain a genuine understanding of the realities in the country in question when we visit personally. 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 people in Cologne give us wholehearted
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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. For example, the climate, we’ve got to battle with totally different conditions than the Fins. In some cases we are using different equipment and 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 weather in summer in countries like Spain, refinishers are confronted with tough
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. 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 prepare themselves for the increasingly fierce competition in their countries, 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.
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 safeguard the quality of the paints and systems. In a country like Poland, on the other hand – and Mariusz
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
Heritage means a lot to Spies Hecker. Spies Hecker is enlisted to help Heritage Automotive Ltd with a fresh new approach to business Heritage Automotive Ltd planned its new two acre and 15,000 square foot Body Repair Centre in Westbury, Wiltshire, knowing that the traditional aftermarket repair relationships were going to become increasingly unsustainable. The facility was designed to operate at maximum efficiency whilst being able to cater for the different needs of its rental customers and its approvaldirected business.
The site, which opened its doors on May 28th 2012, has two distinct working zones: the customer-facing area, which is in-line with Heritage’s other retail sites; and an open-plan “back room” comprising of two separate workshops – one to allow minor repairs to be carried out, and
one for major repairs. Dedicated team structures support the different workflows, ensuring efficiency is at its best. With this fresh approach to business, Heritage has enlisted the support of new paint partner Spies Hecker and its new waterborne paint technology – Permahyd® Hi-TEC - to provide a high-quality and personal service to all of Heritage’s customers. Daniel Hartland, Spies Hecker brand marketing coordinator UK and Irelands, says, “we are delighted to be working so closely with Heritage on its new facility. In today’s economy we are convinced it is those bodyshops who are willing to invest in the future and go that extra mile that will succeed. Spies Hecker has over 130 years experience and expertise to share with Heritage to ensure this site, and its others, are even more successful.”
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.
The Permahyd® Hi-TEC system has been installed at all three of Heritage’s sites. Ken Lloyd, Heritage’s Group Body Repair manager says, “the whole team at Spies Hecker has been fantastic in helping us make a smooth transition to Permahyd® Hi-TEC. The switch was quick and easy, and the Spies Hecker technicians provided bespoke training so our refinishers were able to hit the ground running. We’ve started seeing the benefits of using Permahyd® Hi-TEC already.”
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 Colour 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 colours 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-coloured 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 colours are only possible with the special effect pigments that are additionally available today.”
Automotive colour preferences in 2011. Europe’s favorite colours.
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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
Hi-TEC
Spies Hecker Permahyd® Hi-TEC goes from strength to strength. The Spies Hecker next generation waterborne technology basecoat Permahyd® Hi-TEC proves itself, at AW Repair Group.
When AW Repair Group held an open day in April 2012 to mark the opening of its new state-of-the-art facility at the Group’s new HQ in Lincolnshire, it invited its new paint partner Spies Hecker to get involved. More than 50 invited guests attended the official opening of the new facility, which was specifically built to enable new processes and practices to facilitate a reduction in cycle times. Daniel Hartland, Spies Hecker brand marketing coordinator UK and Ireland, says, “we were pleased to be invited to support this open day. Permahyd® Hi-TEC has been so successful for AW Repair Group of Sleaford it was natural for us to demonstrate it to the assembled guests. Our motto at Spies Hecker is “simply closer”, and we ensure we live up to that by visiting, speaking to and supporting our bodyshops whenever possible.” Hartland continues, “the aim was to show guests how Permahyd® Hi-TEC can make vehicle refinishing easier and boost workshop efficiency. The outstanding properties of our new system are its extra ease of application, excellent colour reproducibility and simple blendingin, as demonstrated in the Hi-five – all of which were clearly evident to the guests.”
Steve Hoe, AW Sleaford branch manager, says, “seeing Spies Hecker Permahyd® Hi-TEC and its digital colour matching spectrophotometer – ColorDialog – in action left guests marvelling at the speed and quality of the finished repair.” With the main message of the day being speed and efficiency, AW Sleaford’s ex-
perienced technicians also presented new fast repair methods, labour saving techniques and other important efficiency-boosting processes which fit well with Permahyd® Hi-TEC.
Hoe finishes, “We started using Permahyd® Hi-TEC in January 2012 and we have already seen cost savings and improved computerised colour accuracy. In this sort of economy we need to be shouting about products, services and initiatives that help us to maximise our efficiency and grow our businesses.”
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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
Sontara® 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 colour constancy and better colour flow.” In terms of refinishing, “the process makes colour identification easier, as there are fewer different colour nuances on a single vehicle.”
How does a car manufacturer like Volkswagen see colour trends? One thing is certain: not only are car manufacturers turning to the latest technical trends, but designers are also becoming more creative in colour development. Car colours are becoming increasingly important as a selling point.
“We develop the matching colour language for each vehicle type and size,” says Oona Scheepers, Senior Designer Colour & 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 colour underlines the sporting character of the special models. Customers up to the age of 40 are often bolder in their choice of colour. Motorists of 45 and upwards tend to go for what they’re familiar with and what they think will last.”
More coats and tinted clear coat. All vehicle manufacturers are resorting to novel effect paints with strong colours for their mass models. Nissan, for instance, is catching the eye with its extra-
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ordinary 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 Colourstream pigments. For bright colours, 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 multi-stage 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 multistage colours more often from now on. “However, the refinishing of many new colours is only possible with special effect pigments.” Two current examples of refinishing: Ford’s Midnight Sky can
be repaired with Permahyd Hi-TEC Mixing Colour WT312 Magic Fire. For the Chevrolet colour Dynamic Orange, Hi-TEC Mixing Colour WT383 Brilliant Orange is used.
Finding the right colour faster. “We’ve responded effectively to new trends with beautifully balanced refinish solutions and professional colour 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 colours 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 colour codes and names, you can also find the models sprayed with Midnight Sky on the production line. Plus the colours 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 colour 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 colours. Changes in series finishing will thus make the refinishing process even more challenging. How to find the right colour faster: www.spieshecker.co.uk/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.”
tial 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 conditions. Since it is also extremely flexible in its application and dries very
(1.5 coats). The product’s properties: good vertical stability, extra-high build and excellent gloss. The clear coat also polishes very well.
HS Clear Coat 8055 HS Optimum Plus Clear Coat 8650 HS Clear Coat 8034
Spies Hecker Hi-TEC 480 waterborne base coat, on the other hand, is distinguished among other things by its high opacity and colour accuracy. The Performance System includes three clear coats. For universal applications, 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 par-
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 assurance 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
All in all, the new Performance System delivers much more than just outstanding 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 wholehearted 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 colours. 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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Hi-TEC
Spies Hecker helps Pink Lady® apples 2011 was a record year for Pink Lady® apple sales and to celebrate its success the premium brand is running a competition to win a one-off pink, Pink Lady®-branded Fiat 500.
Pink Lady® needed a highly-skilled bodyshop and an aftermarket paint brand with a long history of offering specialised and reliable solutions, to match the brand’s distinctive pink colour exactly and to provide a first-class refinish job. Ashford Accident Repair Centre Ltd., the Kent-based, Mercedes-Benz approved bodyshop, was invited to pitch for the unusual job. Lewis Weir of Ashford Accident, was confident the bodyshop would easily win, thanks to his refinishers’ expertise and the new waterborne basecoat, Permahyd® Hi-TEC, from Ashford’s long standing paint partner, Spies Hecker. Weir says, “we started using Permahyd® Hi-TEC in February 2011 when we became a pilot site for the new Spies Hecker waterborne basecoat. We now wonder how we coped without this product before.”
Daniel Hartland, Spies Hecker brand marketing coordinator UK and Ireland, says, “we were confident that Ashford Accident would be the right pilot site for Hi-TEC. Lewis is passionate about great products, a personal service, and highlyprofessional results, all of which fit perfectly with the Spies Hecker brand.”
The distinctive shade of pink the car was painted was matched to the Pink Lady® corporate pantone colour using the new
Spies Hecker spectrophotometer, ColorDialog – the most up-to-date and modern tool on the market. Weir continues, “the ColorDialog is our number one source for finding colours. It’s the only way we measure colour and it found the match to the Pink Lady® pantone colour quickly and easily.” The colour was sprayed on a test card, sent to Pink Lady® for approval, and then Weir and his team were ready to start. It took a team of three - one mechanical and electrical trim technician and two highly skilled paint refinishers - two weeks to get the car ready for the launch of the Pink Lady® competition on 15 January 2012.
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celebrate record year.
Weir, says, “when the car was delivered back to the Fiat dealer, the team from Pink Lady® and dealership staff, were amazed at the quality of the finish and detail. Without Permahyd® Hi-TEC I really don’t believe we would have delivered such a first-class job”.
Setting the tone. Substrates can be adapted to the base or top coat with the matching Permafleet® surfacer colour levels. With the white, light-grey and dark-grey colour levels from Spies Hecker, the bodyshop improves the efficiency of its commercial vehicle finishing. By selecting the matching Permafleet® surfacer ground colour, it’s possible to enhance the hiding power of the base or top coat. But where do you find the colour level? “The ground colour 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 colour yourself in the bodyshop, the colour level of the matching surfacer is indicated by the CRplus colour software and in the ColorFinder on the Internet.”
Hartland concludes, “we are delighted Lewis and his team showed off the capabilities of Permahyd® HiTEC. It just demonstrates impressive results are easily achievable when you mix the right training, products and industry expertise together.”
The Pink Lady® Valentine’s Day Bonanza, the biggest ever nationwide promotion by the apple brand, is a four-week on-pack promotion and involves most major retailers. As well as the top prize of a Fiat 500, 200 lucky runners-up will win pink prizes including Apple iPods, Kindles and digital cameras.
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.
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Colour
Electrifying colours. “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 Colour & 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 colour language specifically for electric cars. A technical silver blue as on the E-Up! and white stand for the electric drive.” Elke Dirks, Colour Designer at DuPont Automotive OEM Coatings, has identified new trends. “Electric cars have to look both modern and eco-friendly. Ideally, the exterior colour lends expression to the forward-looking ecological strategy.” In Europe, she believes, car makers are mostly going for satin metallics in light-coloured, pastel shades evocative of nature. “These colour 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 colour”. In Asia, “ice blue” is the key colour 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
Colourful characters. Are you a red type? Or more of a green? Colours 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 colours red, yellow, green and blue.”
The colours 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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Training
Training with Spies Hecker 2012.
Spies Hecker is committed to offering planned and assessed training programmes for the refinish industry. The courses are focused on meeting the needs of professional bodyshops, delivered in a convenient, experienced and cost-effective way. A new addition to the Spies Hecker 2012 programme is a two-day specialist paint course called 3 Stage Paint Finishes, a finish becoming increasingly popular with OEM’s. Using Permahyd® 280/285 as well as the new Spies Hecker waterborne technology Permahyd® Hi-TEC, the course is designed to showcase the correct application processes for these finishes while optimising a refinisher’s time and minimising bodyshop materials wastage. Daniel Hartland, Spies Hecker brand marketing coordinator, UK and Ireland, says, “the highly experienced Spies Hecker trainers will use proven, bestpractice methodology to help refinishers guarantee right-first-time results, on these highly-specialised finishes. Three stage paint finishes form a module for the ATA Senior Paint Technician accreditation and with increasing numbers of OEM’s using these types of finishes,
bodyshops who don’t know the refinishing process are losing out.” The course is open to all refinishers with painting experience and will be carried out at the Refinish Training Academy in Stevenage. Candidates will also face an end-of-course assessment and receive a certificate of achievement on successful completion. The next course will be run on the 16 and 17 May 2012, with further courses being run in July and October 2012.
Other Spies Hecker training courses scheduled at the Refinish Training Academy throughout 2012 are: • a one-day Speed Repair course to help enhance refinishers’ knowledge and ability to perform these potentially lucrative repairs • a two-day Colour College course to introduce refinishers to the benefits and best-practice of using the Spies Hecker digital colour management systems, to highlight the importance for correct colour matching and to detail the techniques used to achieve a first-class colour match • a two-day Product Training course to develop delegates’ skills and understanding of the requirements for waterborne and high-solid refinish technologies.
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Worldwide
Flying colours 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.
Hartland continues, “Spies Hecker believes training is key to keeping up-to-date with industry developments. We continually research and develop new materials with improved characteristics and higher specification to ensure our bodyshops achieve the increasingly high standards set by their customers. Our aim is to help refinishers and bodyshops achieve the very best they can.” For more information on the 2012 Spies Hecker training programme visit www.spieshecker.co.uk or call Allyson Hill on 01438 734 705.
Professional refinishers from over 200 dealerships in China attended the seven-month 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 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, the first four places in the competition went to refinishers who use Spies Hecker products. 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.
Our refinishers aim for long partnerships.
Our partners have come to rely on balanced product systems, high colour accuracy, outstanding finishes and efficient service. We help our customers to overcome their challenging projects, because together we achieve more.
Spies Hecker – simply closer.
Spies Hecker · DuPont Performance Coatings · Wedgwood Way · Stevenage · Herts SG1 4QN · www.spieshecker.co.uk