Australasian Paint & Panel May-June 2018

AUSTRALASIAN

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WOMEN IN COLLISION NOMINATE NOW

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MAY / JUNE 2018 WWW.PAINTANDPANEL.COM.AU

NEWS 08

AMA GROUP BREAKS UP

AMA negotiating a $508 million transaction with Blackstone.

10 THE VALUE OF COLLISION REPAIR The industry is predicted to be worth $263 billion by 2025.

12 S.M.A.R.T SPONSORS MENTOR AWARD The award recognises those who support youngsters in the industry.

14

40

REPAIRER SUES PROGRESSIVE

18

The lawsuit accuses insurers of bullying shops.

IN DEPTH 18

WOMEN IN COLLISION

Time to nominate women who make a difference in collision businesses.

20

FIX AUTO

The global group speaks about its turbo-charged growth.

22

S.M.A.R.T’s highly successful fast track apprentice program.

32

HOLDEN COLLISION FORUM

Must attend technical seminars for anyone who repairs Holdens.

FEATURES 48 WELDING RIVETING BONDING Latest equipment and what to look for.

57 ARE YOU KILLING YOUR TECHNICIANS? Welding’s many health hazards, including cancer.

60

64

S.M.A.R.T APPRENTICES

PAINT TECHNOLOGY

The latest products to improve your paintshop’s productivity.

REGULARS 34 CRASH COURSE 36 BUSINESS MATTERS 40 INDUSTRY TRENDS 58 TECH TALK: I-CAR 64 PRODUCTS 66 FENDER BENDER

66

A Daimler Brand

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EDITORIAL

REWARDING INDUSTRY LEADERS

T

here’s a great deal of talent in this industry at every level. At Paint & Panel we love highlighting the intelligence, hard work and go get “This is without doubt a spirit of the many world-class individuals and teams in Australia. male-dominated industry but Entries for our comprehensive Paint & Panel Bodyshop Awards, there are so many inspiring which keep growing each year, close on 4 June so make sure you nominate before then. While there are plenty of women attending women who make a huge our fabulous awards presentation night, their ratio up on stage for receiving difference to autobody repair these awards isn’t what you would call strong. businesses they work in or run.”

This is, without doubt, a male-dominated industry but there are so many inspiring women who make a huge difference to autobody repair businesses they work in or run and this issue we are launching the 2018 Women in Collision awards. At our inaugural Women in Collision seminar last year we looked at the blockers for women either entering the industry or staying in it and agreed that while this program won’t change the status quo overnight, highlighting outstanding women in the industry and having a forum for women to connect with each other,like the seminar and our closed Women in Collision facebook page, is a start.

Thank you to IAG for its continuing support of this program. Please visit our website and nominate a woman from your business that you think deserves recognition – or if you are one of the these women then don’t wait for someone else to nominate you - nominate yourself.

While the Paint & Panel Bodyshop Awards for best shop tends to grab the headlines we have a number of awards that are equally important. Sustainablility – future proofing your business - is a particular passion of Axalta Coatings one of our platinum sponsors and, for many, is one of the most prestigious awards.

Our other plantinum sponsor, Compass, is a family business and understands what it takes to survive and thrive in what are sometimes hostile market conditions. Managing director James Frape has been a keen supporter of broadening these awards to include categories such as innovation and best customer experience.

All the information about our awards can be found on our website. Not only does winning boost your profile with your customer base, but we know that we have a healthy readership of the magazine and the website from insurance companies.

I am looking forward to our annual judging tour and learning about the way you run your businesses.

Sam Street Editor

AUSTRALASIAN

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6 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

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“You can cut corners, but sooner or later you’ll pay the price.”

T2018-009682 TOY0472

Harry Bates Toyota Motorsport Ambassador Youngest ever Australian Rally Championship round winner

You don’t build a successful business by being the cheapest, you build it by being the best. So why would you cut corners and fit counterfeit parts? They are cheaper for a reason – and that poor quality in fit, performance and potential danger will come back to you and your business every time. Be safe, be smart and buy Toyota Genuine Parts only from authorized Toyota dealers.

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NEWS S.M.A.R.T SPONSORS AWARD

US REPAIRER SUES

AXALTA AND WORLDSKILLS

PAGE 12

PAGE 14

PAGE 16

AMA GROUP BREAK UP AMA GROUP IS to demerge its automotive component, accessory and procurement business and enter a $508 million transaction with Blackstone for the vehicle panel repair business.

The demerger will see Andy Hopkins in charge of a Blackstone-owned, private repair business and AMA executive chairman Ray Malone of an ASX listed automotive and procurement business.

The AMA ASX release says the rationale behind this demerger is “to allow each business to adopt a capital structure that is most appropriate for its

scale operations and strategic objectives”.

Also to “allow management of each business to focus on the core competencies of the separate businesses”.

The release goes on to say, “Importantly, as part of the demerger process, the consumables and parts procurement function of the panel repair business will become part of the ACAD Business, reflecting the true nature of the operation. This procurement capability has delivered significant cost savings for the panel business’s major customers, the auto insurance companies, and has in turn, driven the rapid growth

of the panel business. AMA considers that the potential to expand future revenue streams for the ACAD Business are promising and it is well positioned to benefit from global opportunities”.

“The Board has decided to address the challenge of funding two growing but distinct businesses by separating the ACAD Business in to a new ASX listed company – with each business having its own management team, growth plans and funding strategy. This separation will ensure that neither business has its prospects limited by the competing demands of the other business for board and management attention and financial resources. Each business will be able to realise its full potential with significant benefits to customers, employees and shareholders,” Malone said.

AMA group vehicle panel repair CEO, Andrew Hopkins said, “Taking the business private will increase our senior management team’s focus and allow us to further improve our cost competitiveness and in the process, strengthening our insurer customer relationships. " “Throughout the transaction diligence period we have been very impressed by Blackstone’s level of understanding of our business and their willingness to embrace our plans for growing and improving the operations. We are excited about them partnering with us for the next stage of our development.”

The demerger is planned for August 2018.

MTA WA AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED THE FINALISTS AND winners of the MTA WA Training Awards were announced at an industry dinner held in Kings Park, Perth on 22 March. The Premier of Western Australia, the Hon Mark McGowan MLA, was the evening’s keynote speaker. Autobody repairers were well represented with Gino’s Panel & Paint scooping Employer of the Year and Julie Wadley of Wadley Panel Beaters awarded MTA WA Life Membership.

8 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

Stephen Moir, MTA WA CEO, said, “It’s been great to see such strong enthusiasm from the automotive industry to recognise achievements in training”.

“The finalists in the Employer of the Year category demonstrate the significant positive impact that training can have for a business and should be an inspiration to any business owner who is considering taking on an apprentice.” www.paintandpanel.com.au

NEWS IN BRIEF MEET VOLVO’S NEW DIRECTOR

Volvo Cars Australia has announced the appointment of Nick Connor as its new managing director.

Connor was previously Volvo Cars’ vice-president in charge of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) major markets based in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Connor said he looked forward to continuing to push the brand’s luxury focus in Australia.

“Volvo has a long and established heritage in Australia. I look forward to working closely with our dealer network to capitalise on these fantastic new products and on the recognition to deliver a greater share of the luxury new car market in Australia.”

Meet Volvo’s new director Nick Connor

CAPRICORN CEO REVEALS RETIREMENT

Capricorn Group CEO, Greg Wall, has announced that he will step down from his role.

In a statement to members, Wall revealed he would be departing from the role, effective June 2019.

“After careful consideration and deliberation with the Capricorn Board and my family, I have decided to retire as Group CEO of Capricorn.

“It was not an easy decision.

Capricorn is in great shape and has such an exciting future ahead.

“I am so proud of what we have achieved together over the nearly seven years since I joined.”

Capricorn CEO reveals retirement Greg Wall

10 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

COLLISION REPAIR WORTH $263 BILLION BY 2025?

THE GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE collision repair market is set to reach $263 billion by 2025, according to a report from Hexa Research.

The growth is said to be driven by a surge in automobile production, digitalisation of automobile repair services and advances in manufacturing technology.

Europe was the largest market accounting for 44.9 per cent of the revenue share in 2016. However, it is expected to lose its share over the forecast period due to trade barriers created by Brexit.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7 per cent. The increase in the number of vehicles on the road in countries such as China and India is expected to drive growth.

Increasing number of accidents due to

the lack of proper infrastructure is also projected to drive the demand for spare parts and other special tools.

The collision repair market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.5 per cent from 2017 to 2025. Required quick turnaround times for replacement parts is likely to be an opportunity for growth of the market.

Companies are investing extensively in R&D to enhance technology. In July 2016, BASF announced plans to step up its R&D activities for automotive coatings to a new world-class platform.In addition to this, companies are adopting the strategy of merger and acquisition.

In 2016, 3M collaborated with the German-based Tool Technic Systems to provide the collision repair industry a comprehensive surface preparation and finishing system.

BODY SHOP SCAMMER SEEN IN WA DEAN CHRISTOPHER WRIGHT, a notorious scam-artist, has been accused of scamming panel shop owners in Western Australia.

Wright, a panel beater, allegedly scammed one bodyshop owner for $2500 in the town of Denmark, WA and also stole from them before disappearing from the town.

Community members from the local area have warned businesses to be on the look out for Wright, who has previously used aliases including Rod Healy and Daniel O’Connor.

The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia has also emailed businesses in the area to be alert for Wright entering their premises.

A number of panel beaters came forward in 2016 with stories of his deception after a shop in Penrith reported him to Paint & Panel.

Many reported that he tried to scam owners by telling them his marriage and car had broken down and that he was looking for immediate employment.

Wright, who was listed as being from Mirboo North was previously apprehended by police in Morwell, Victoria last year and was charged with numerous deception offences.

At the time, the Bass Coast police department announced that he had been apprehended, remanded in custody and was scheduled to appear in court in July 2017 on two separate charges. www.paintandpanel.com.au

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NEWS

GINO’S SHOWCASES SIKKENS

GEMINI RAISES OVER $33,000 FOR VARIETY GEMINI ACCIDENT REPAIR Centres have taken a fresh look at corporate social responsibility. Engaging their franchisees to raise funds for Variety – The Children’s Charity of Queensland by repairing cars.

But this was no bake sale. By leveraging their partnership with leading parts supplier, Auto Parts Group, who offered a donation for each of their parts used, Gemini Accident Repair Centres across the nation raised over $33,000 to support Variety Queensland in their vital mission.

Variety Queensland, known for the iconic Variety Bash, provided nearly $1 million in assistance last year to families that are doing it tough. Empowering children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to. Through grants of equipment, services and scholarships, helping more Aussie kids to reach their full potential.

“We are very excited to be partnering with

two giants of the car repair world,” said Variety Queensland CEO, Steve Wakerley.

“It was a fantastic example of businesses supporting each other to take a leadership role in their community and we look forward to engaging in this exciting campaign in the future.”

Gemini Accident Repair Centre’s chief commercial officer, Peter Bubeck, and Auto Parts Group managing director, Stephen Campbell, presented Variety Queensland Board chairperson, John Wadley, with a cheque for $33,424.00 at the Gemini Accident Repair Centre’s head office on March 6.

“On behalf of the Gemini Group, I’m honoured to be giving back to the community that has supported our own success. The buy in from our frontline staff and supplier partner Auto Parts Group in making this a reality was just amazing. Thank you,” said Bubeck.

S.M.A.R.T MENTORS CAPITAL S.M.A.R.T IS the latest sponsor of the 2018 Paint & Panel Bodyshop awards.

The group is sponsoring the inaugural Outstanding Mentor award, as bringing on the next generation of repairers is something S.M.A.R.T is both passionate and proactive about (see page 22).

The award is aimed at recognising

12 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

those who support and develop youngsters in our industry and to encourage others to do the same.

Capital S.M.A.R.T’s CEO David Marino said: “Mentoring is all about inspiring people to realise their true potential and to achieve the extraordinary. S.MA.R.T is proud to sponsor the Paint & Panel Outstanding Mentor Award as we recognise how critical mentoring and engaging the hearts and minds of our next generation of repairers is to the future of the collision repair industry.”

Nominate on the Paint & Panel website.

GINO’S PANEL AND Paint hosted a live demonstration in its South Fremantle workshop to showcase to the WA industry new painting and curing applications from Sikkens and Tesla Cure.

AkzoNobel’s Katia Gridina presented ‘the world’s fastest rapid repair process’, showcasing the TeslaCure R100 with Sikkens Autosurfacer UV primer.

Sikkens say the combination of the Sikkens Autosurfacer UV primer and the TeslaCure R100 lamp has been globally recognised as the fastest combination of product and UV curing.

Gino’s Aaron Scagliotta said:” When I first heard about this system I thought how much quicker could it be? I’ve got all my Symach arches already drying paint fast. When I saw it in action at the last Collision Repair Expo I was blown away. They gave me the chance to try it out in my own shop afterwards and I’m addicted. It’s an amazing product and on rapid repairs I use this primer exclusively and it’s had a significant impact on my throughput.

The Sikkens products enable panel technicians to work more efficiently and cut down on labour and energy cost, and only requires 30-120 seconds of UV-A LED exposure to fully cure, and can be sanded directly after curing.

Attendees of the live demonstration had the chance to rub, sand and feel the cured guards as they went through each step of the process, discussing and comparing techniques as they went. www.paintandpanel.com.au

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NEWS IN BRIEF AUTOBOOST FOR CAPRICORN

AutoBoost is an exclusive new benefit for Capricorn members with a small business and big plans.

Capricorn members can easily access an entire range of time saving business tools to help take their business to the next level. Examples include use of equipment and building maintenance reports along with a host of time saving forms and checklists such as vehicle accident and inspection report forms, even marketing and customer comminications.

For those Capricorn members seeking to gain an even greater boost to grow their businesses, members can also subscribe to Teamly, an online service that includes even more team management tools to help further streamline their business.

More information at www.capricorn. coop or call 1800 327 437 in Australia or 0800 401 444 in New Zealand.

SUNCORP CANSTAR AWARD

Suncorp’s online motor vehicle claims bagged Canstar’s 2018 innovation excellence awards for its streamlining of the vehicle claims process.

The new service platform, which incorporates IBM’s Watson artificial intelligence technology, is capable of accelerating and simplifying the processing of more than 500,000 motor vehicle claims per year.

Making a car insurance claim typically involves the customer submitting details of the incident online or over the phone. It is generally expected an insurer will accept or deny a claim within 10 business days.

Customers can now manage the claims process themselves without needing to call the insurer by lodging a claim and working through ta series of steps, a process that previously took up to 48 hours.

The new system has been credited with reducing the need for most Suncorp customers to speak with a claims consultant.

14 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

PENNSYLVANIA REPAIRER SUES PROGRESSIVE RON PERRETTA, OWNER of Professionals Auto Body in Pennsylvania, is fed up with insurance companies dictating to body shops how to make repairs, which he says aren’t being done properly.

“It’s impossible for the shops to fix these cars properly [while] being paid what they are being paid,” Perretta told the Altoona Mirror.

He said insurers continue to “bully” shops into lowering their rates and not performing operations required to bring the vehicles back to their pre-accident condition. Perretta filed a lawsuit against Progressive in 2017.

According to court documents, “Progressive had a contractual duty to the insureds and third-party claimants to compensate Professionals for the reasonable and necessary costs to return the covered vehicles to their pre-loss condition. But rather than agree to reimburse Professionals for the cost of making reasonable and necessary repairs,

Progressive directed Professionals to utilise inferior parts and/or to perform inferior service”.

“When you go in for repairs, you want it done right, but insurance companies decline to pay for it. In that situation, the body shop does what the insurance company tells it to do,” said Perretta.

Perretta said he runs an independent business while other local body shops are direct repair shops who are told by insurance companies what to do.

Officials at Cumming Motors Inc. and Luciano’s Auto Body, both direct repair shops, said they haven’t experienced the problems Perretta has seen.

“As far as the insurance companies being bad, they are not bad in my eyes.

We deal with every insurance company there is,” said Dave Cumming, owner/ president of Cumming Motors. “We don’t always agree with what the insurance company pays, but we make sure the customer gets a first class repair.”

BASF WINS INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARD BASF’S COATINGS DIVISION has won the iF design award for its paint technology for passive temperature management.

The functionality of paints is playing an increasing role in the field of automotive OEM coatings. BASF’s new paint system utilises a basecoat which is transparent to high-energy near infrared radiation and also uses a near infrared reflecting filter.

BASF’s, Stephan Schwarte, highlighted the paint’s reduction in the vehicle surface temperature. He also pointed out the reduced need to utilise air conditioning for temperature control as part of its success.

“Factors such as A/C regulation have a major impact on the range of a vehicle, particularly in the field of electromobility. Our technology reduces energy consumption and thus optimises the vehicle’s efficiency.” www.paintandpanel.com.au

The DeBeer Refinish WaterBase 900 + System is a high performance, VOC compliant, waterbased basecoat system.

This latex system offers superior performance and consistency, ensuring the highest levels of productivity for your operation.

To find out how DeBeer Refinish WaterBase 900 + System can benefit your business, contact local distributor, or Valspar Automotive on 02 4368 4054 or autoinfo@valspar.com

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NEWS

QUALITY FIRST 2018

AXALTA SUPPORTS WORLDSKILLS AS GOLD PARTNER of WorldSkills Australia, Axalta Coating Systems, will take an active role at the WorldSkills Australia National Championship for automotive refinishing. The competition will be held at Skills Show Australia 2018, from 2-4 June at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney. The National Championship is Australia’s largest vocational education competition, pushing competitors to exceed their skills limit to one day represent their country on the international stage.

Axalta and WorldSkills Australia share a common goal: to continuously improve the

quality of training and educational outcomes for young people who dream of becoming the ‘best of the best’ in their skill. This aims to be realised at the Skills Show Australia 2018, where each regional Gold medal winner will battle it out for the title of WorldSkills Australia National Champion.

The journey for most competitors began in mid-2017 with WorldSkills Australia – in conjunction with Axalta – running regional vehicle painting competitions. The WorldSkills Australia National Championship for spray painting will take place at Ultimo TAFE, using Axalta’s premium waterborne range from Standox, Standoblue.

PPG HOSTS MVP CONFERENCE IN ADELAIDE PPG BROUGHT TOGETHER collision centre owners from across Australia and New Zealand to be a part of its latest MVP conference.

The event was held during the Clipsal 500 Adelaide and allowed attendees to network with other like-minded repairers and get exposed to knowledge leaders in the field alongside seven expert consultants.

PPG MVP manager ANZ Greg Tunks said the event gave owners the opportunity to hear up-to-date information to make changes in their business for the better.

“Being amongst the excitement and action in Adelaide is a lot of fun but 16 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

VALSPAR AUTOMOTIVE RECENTLY held its 2018 Quality First conference for members of the program in Parramatta, NSW. The conference was a great opportunity to network and discuss strategies and techniques to stay at the forefront of a changing market.

The conference started with a visit to the IAG Research Centre in Silverwater.

The key topics covered included: NTAR – Demonstrating how times are recorded; Autonomous vehicles; and hail impact.

Attendees were able to use the ice cannon to hit a bonnet and observe the impact.

Delegates said the tour was extremely beneficial as it provided key information in relation to insurance repairs and also gave a different perspective on how the repair cycle works from the insurance company’s perspective.

A keynote speech followed by Olympic gold medallist Kerri Pottharst on the importance of setting SMART goals. The group were then treated to an experience of walking over broken glass to prove that with the right mindset, you can achieve things you previously thought weren’t possible. Pottharst said: “The idea behind walking on glass was to reinforce that you need to aim high when goal setting and shouldn’t settle only for what you think you can achieve”.

The conference finished with a casinothemed dinner. Melanie Spink, Quality First manager, said, “The conference was a fantastic opportunity for program members to network and take time out from their busy schedules to invest in their personal learning and development. We look forward to holding many similar events in the future.”

there is a serious side. We had a very impressive turnout with 48 people arriving for the MVP conference on Thursday which featured a full day of thought provoking presentations.

“For the feature presentation, we were lucky enough to get Ryan Walkinshaw from the Walkinshaw automotive group.

He gave a fascinating presentation about the changes forced on his business, particularly HSV, by Holden’s decision to stop local production.

“It had a lot of parallels to some of the changes going on in the collision repair industry.” www.paintandpanel.com.au

WOMEN IN SMASH REPAIR

Nominations are now open for the 2018 Paint & Panel/IAG Women in Collision Awards.

From left: Anthony Boddy, IAG; Kate Presnell, Gary Presnell Bodyworks; Joanne Starvis, Gow St Autobody; Lara Anastasi, L&M Smash; Sam Street; Perlita Puruto, Workhorse Collision Repairs; Corinne Verdile, Wayne Phipps Smash Repairs

WOMEN IN COLLISION 2018 THE WOMEN IN Collision awards, now in their fifth year, were created to recognise the outstanding contribution women make to what is undoubtedly a male dominated industry.

From shop owners to technicians in the workshop and every conceivable role in between, there are women who are the backbone of successful autobody businesses across the country.

It’s time to nominate a talented, determined, successful woman who makes a positive impact on your autobody repair facility for the 2018 Women in Collision awards.

Before last year, the finalists were presented with their awards at a lunch. Last year, the awards program was enhanced to include a seminar which was held at IAG’s research centre in Sydney. The event was a great success and the women there enjoyed meeting others who share their daily experiences. The Women in Collision closed facebook group has over 100 members now who regularly share knowledge. This year we’re feeling the Melbourne vibe and will announce a venue for the seminar and awards presentation, which will take place in November, soon.

To prevent the awards being owner/manager top heavy, there will be two winners picked in three categories; you'll find the information in our Women in Collision section on the Paint & Panel website: Female technician/estimator Admin/reception/customer service/parts managers Owner/manager The winners are selected by the previous year’s winners.

Entrants can be nominated by their colleagues or nominate themselves. The nominee or nominator must fill out a Survey Monkey form telling us all about the women’s role in the business and why she deserves to win. Last years winners received their award, and an I-CAR training voucher.

2017 TECHNICIAN WINNERS • Lara Anastasi: Head painter at L&M Smash, Sydney • Perlita Puruto: Second year panel technician, Workhorse Collision Repairs, Sydney 18 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

2017 ADMINSTRATION WINNERS Caption xxxxx xxxx Caption xxxxx xxxx xxxxx xxxx Caption xxxx • Corinne Verdile, parts managerCaption and reception, Waynexxxxx Phipps Caption xxxxx xxxx Caption xxxxx xxxx Smash Repairs, WA • Brittany Howchin, Thompson and Robinson Smash Repairs, reception, estimating, Wollongong, NSW

2017 MANAGEMENT WINNERS • Kate Presnell, manager, Gary Presnell Bodyworks, TAS • Joanne Stavris, manager, Gow St Autobody Repair Centre, Sydney Paint & Panel will interview and feature each finalist in our magazine and on our website. Finalists will be flown (where appropiate) to the venue for the seminar and award presentation and will make up the 2019 judging panel.

NOMINATED BEFORE? If you have nominated someone before and they were not selected as a finalist please nominate again. It’s a different panel of judges each year and maybe you just needed to add more detail to the Survey Monkey judging form.

Lara Anastasi , 2017 winner and head painter of L&M Smash Repairs, NSW, received a bonus award and recognition from Valspar Automotive. When the company heard of Anastasi’s achievement, a representative presented her with a custom DeVilbiss spray gun and framed certificate to celebrate her accomplishment. www.paintandpanel.com.au

130 YEARS OF SUCCESS. GLASURIT CELEBRATES AN ANNIVERSARY Back in 1888, Max Winkelmann laid the cornerstone for his company that spawned the world’s successful Glasurit automotive refinish brand. Since then, Glasurit has made paint history time and time again by offering groundbreaking ideas for solutions that make it easy for users to achieve first-class results. For 130 years, we have done what it takes to make our customers more successful – a fantastic reason to celebrate together. Please join us as we look forward to celebrating over 130 years of success – and to a whole range of surprises in our anniversary year.

ProFit with Glasurit.

1888–2018

A brand of

W218177

Glasurit Automotive Refinish, BASF Australia Ltd, 231-233 Newton Road, Wetherill Park, NSW 2164, Australia Tel: +61 (2) 8787 0100, Fax: +61 (2) 8787 0133, www.glasurit.com.au https://www.facebook.com/GlasuritAustralia

IN DEPTH

LEFT: Becoming a Novus Glass franchisee will boost profits.

BELOW: From left David Lingham and Terry Feehan.

FIX AUTO HAS A LOT TO CELEBRATE Sam Street met with Fix Auto's David Lingham and Terry Feehan to look back on what the group has achieved in since it launched in Australia.

THERE'S BEEN A turbo-charged pace of growth in the global Auto wraps its arms around the next generation of repairers like no group Fix Auto. Two years ago it had no footprint in Australia other group. Our business model particularly appeals to the younger and Asia. After launching in Australia in January 2017, Fix Auto generation who aren't as hooked on what their business is called. now has 12 franchisees in three states. Fix Auto also launched “As we grow, we are also investing in resource. We’ll be seeing in New Zealand in February this year and is going gangbusters in a string of announcements about additions to the team in China where it launched in December 2016. Fix Auto China Australia and the region as a whole. We will be a great resource signed up 30 franchisees in January and for our franchisees for marketing, sales alone, mainly in Beijing and Shanghai. management and operations.

“We’ll be seeing a great The acquisition of Novus Glass last “These new team members will strengthen year has also swelled the Fix Auto ranks our ability to develop the network, raise our string of announcements with a large number of distributors brand awareness and build relationships about additions to the world-wide including 54 in Australia. with fleets and insurers.” team in Australia and the David Lingham, Fix Auto World’s Head Terry Feehan, head of business for of Business said: “We want to give Australia is excited about the coming year on region as a whole.” customers access to brands that can help the domestic front. “ Our aim, eventually, is them with all of their automotive needs.” to have 200 businesses in our future network.

The network in Canada is already offering mechanical services Then we'll start TV advertising to drive national brand awareness. I with Speedy Auto Service, and all three business segments now want to build up our network and shake up the industry. form a family known as Fix Automotive Network.

“With the spread of ADAS the NOVUS Glass opportunity has “We are on a mission to build a network of automotive aftermarket come at the right time for those poised to take advantage of it." brands that will make it easier than ever for customers to get back on Feehan added: “When people understand the Fix Auto model, the road, and we are determined to achieve this goal,” Lingham said. they get it and they love it. NOVUS is another great string to our “In 2015, Fix Auto were present in five countries, in 2018 we're bow – it's a class leading glass repair service. Autobody repairers active in 10. We're anticipating for more European countries are ideal fanchisees of NOUS and as we grow we can all offer joining the network over the course of this year.” customers more. Even if the Fix Auto franchisee doesn't take on Lingham believes that the group’s different approach to the the NOVUS franchise each business can recommend customers to business attracts interest from forward-thinking individuals: “Fix the other – it’s an ideal upselling opportunity.”

20 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

www.paintandpanel.com.au

Holden Collision Repair Forums Australia-wide events for the Collision Repair Industry. July - August 2018

LEARN ABOUT THE ALL-NEW COMMODORE AND EQUINOX Go behind the scenes and learn from Collision industry experts including Holden Engineers and special guests.

Gain an insight into future materials and repair techniques and learn about our new cars and other Holden Collision Business.

Speak with your Holden Dealer to learn more.

Holden Trade Club holdentradeclub.com.au

IN DEPTH

S.M.A.R.T APPRENTICE PROGRAM Sam Street visited Captial S.M.A.R.T’s Morrabin site to find out about the company’s highly successful, fast track apprenticeship program.

MAIN: 2018 first years at Riverwood, NSW with panel beater trainer Darren Hatcher on right and refinish trainer Pompallier Pomare on left.

ABOVE AND RIGHT: Student being trained on the correct use of Car-O-Liner benches at Kangan Institute.

22 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

WITH OVER 1100 employees across Australia and New Zealand, S.M.A.R.T's general manager, human resources Shelly Holst has her work cut out for her. A large organisation such as S.M.A.R.T is both well placed and highly motivated to bring on the next generation. Over the last couple of years Holst and the SMART team, in association with PPG, Kangan Institute and Ultimo TAFE has developed a successful apprentice program with extraordinary results in terms of student retention. From last year’s first apprentice group, 15 out of 20 have progressed to their second year - the industry average is under 51%.

How have they achieved this? Holst says that the selection process is vital in identifying apprentices who have the right attitude and a genuine interest in pursing a career in the autobody repair sphere. PPG's Terry Noble and John Hristias have both been instrumental in setting up the screening and training programs to ensure an intake of productive, motivated students.

They have even created a pre-screening process. S.M.A.R.T hosts an a half day information day where candidates come in and are show around and given a task to complete. How well they carry out the task isn't the point, how well they listen to instructions, the kind of questions they ask and their attitudes are key.

From those candidates a selection are invited to come and work in a S.M.A.R.T workshop for a week undertaking basic repair and painting tasks. This works well for both parties.

S.M.A.R.T can assess the candidates' enthusiasm and suitability for their apprenticeship and the candidates get a feel for the job, the culture and what is expected of them.

Noble said: “One girl completed the week with flying colours but turned around and said it wasn't for her – that's www.paintandpanel.com.au

CAPRICORN FINANCE Access to capital made easy.

“Recently, we were looking to buy a dyno for the workshop. We’d already got approval from the bank, but after we spoke to Capricorn Finance we discovered they could save us thousands in interest alone! Not only that, we got heaps of reward points on the loan. Thanks Capricorn for making the growth of our business possible, and for the friendly and professional manner in which you have supported us.”

Lout Performance - Capricorn Member

Join Capricorn today.

1800 560 554 | join@capricorn.coop l capricorn.coop

Capricorn Finance products are only available to current Capricorn Members who have been Capricorn Members for more than 12 months. Capricorn Finance offers equipment finance through Capricorn Society Limited. All applications for finance products are subject to Capricorn’s prevailing lending criteria. Terms and conditions apply.

IN DEPTH

Panel apprentices Riverwood S.M.A.R.T

GINO’S APPRENTICE SUCCESS Gino’s Panel & Paint in Fremantle has had a great deal of success with its apprenticeship program which was acknowledged by MTA WA awarding the business 2018 Employer of the Year.

Gino’s approach was to promote an information day about working at the business on social media. The prospective apprentices were invited to attend, along with their parents. From that day the youngsters were cherry picked and undertook work experience. The tradespeople then scored and rated the candidates and those who showed enthusiasm and aptitude were selected for apprenticeships. Technicians within Gino's are approached to mentor the apprentices with the 'carrot' that whatever the apprentices earn, the mentors keep. This way Ginos has created an environment where it is in everyone’s interest for the apprentices to become skilled as quickly as possible. Gino's also operates a bonus system for its technicians so that’s another incentive to bring on the youngsters who will help them to achieve these. This is the second year that Gino's has run its program. From the the first intake of seven kids, five remain. This year they took on 12 new apprentices. Manager Aaron Scagliotta said: “We’re teaching these kids the Gino's way right from the start which is great for our business.”

24 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

much better for everyone than dropping out of an apprenticeship in the first semester.”

By the end of the first year the goal is for panel apprentices to be able to strip a car, fit it up and perform a basic A4 sized repair. The painters they should be able to paint a bumper bar, a guard and perform a blend.

In Victoria East Bentleigh is the main training site for apprentices, and there's a large training area in the S.M.A.R.T Riverwood site in Sydney. There's a tradesman mentor overseeing the students' work and assisting them every day in both disciplines. It's a structured program with students know what's expected from them each week.

The apprentices carry out so much hands on work that they are flying through their modules. Noble reports that the TAFE teachers have been 'blown away' by the fast progress of the S.M.A.R.T apprentices who are easily achieving their fast track progress. While the aim is for the apprenticeship to be finished in three years, it is possible that some of the students will only take two and half years to qualify thanks to being allowed to actually perform the work on a daily basis.

The apprentices aren't all school leavers. Barbara Millwood made shoes for 10 years before she took up spray painting.

She was part of the 2017 intake and hit the ground running.

As a second year she has been a mentor for the first year apprentices at the Moorabin site – while also completing her daily painting tasks. “I was attracted to the job because of all the training provided. I enjoy the work and we're treated well. It's a very friendly environment and you feel very supported,” she said First year students are paid according to the award. When they make it to the second year they are incorporated into the Capital S.M.A.R.T pay structure and paid well above award wages. Talking to some of the apprentices, they clearly appreciated feeling totally supported throughout their training and the accelerated training which will mean they are earning technician wages at least a year before the other apprentices attending their local TAFE. www.paintandpanel.com.au

WHAT THE FRANCHISEES SAY

RON MCGUIRE

DAMIEN EDGAR

ANDY & GAIL ALLEN

FIX AUTO CLAYTON

FIX AUTO WANGARA

“BY JOINING FIX AUTO WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT OUR CORE VALUES ARE SUPPORTED ON A LOCAL AND GLOBAL LEVEL”

“FIX AUTO IS DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER REPAIR NETWORK, AS THE BUSINESSES ARE STILL OWNER-OPERATED, NOT MANAGED. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.”

FIX AUTO SHOALHAVEN “FIX AUTO HAS A STRONG BUSINESS MODEL AND HELPS ME MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS IN THIS EVER-CHANGING INDUSTRY”

CONTACT: Terry Feehan Head of Business 0455 345 055 | tfeehan@fixauto.com

fixauto.com

MIXED MATERIAL DANGERS

RISKS OF WORKING WITH MIXED MATERIALS Sydney Automotive Paint & Equipment hosted its first training seminar for repairers at its new training facility in Condell Park, Sydney in April.

THE TRAINING SESSION was for Audi-approved repairers on the WH&S aspects of working on mixed material construction vehicles – and there are plenty of them.

Audi's technical support specialist, Gareth Wright was there to explain the dangers of working on vehicles with mixed material construction - aluminium, carbon fibre and high strength steels.

Wright explained the safety, styling and weight-saving benefits of using mixed materials and why this method of body construction was likely to become more prevalent. In the current Audi model line up 59% of vehicles are made from mixed materials (aluminium and steel) while currently just the flagship Audi A8 and R8 incorporate carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) into the mixed material construction.

FUME DANGER Risks include fume and dust inhalation, explosions and fires. Even everyday welding exposes technicians to carcinogenic fumes, but throw in the toxic fumes from CFRP or underbody coatings, lacquer, priming, bodywork filler and adhesive or sealant fumes and we’re talking a potentially lethal working environment.

To mitigate these risks it is necessary to use both a W3 level fume extractor and the specialist dust extractor for cutting and grinding as well as the panel technician wearing a respirator while working on the car.

If you are a repairer who went for a curtained aluminium repair bay then give yourself a pat on the back, as aluminium booths will have to be modified to repair mixed material or composite car bodies. This risk of explosion and the pressure of the potential explosion mean that an enclosed room isn't suitable. However, leaving the doors open and retro-fitting welding curtains is acceptable.

EXPLOSIVE REACTION Aluminium and steel dust (iron oxide to be precise) together make thermite which was used in the WW2 to burn holes into TOP: Gareth Wright puts a sparkler inside the Prowotech to prove how effective it is at preventing expolosions.

LEFT: You need the right equipment to work safely with mixed materials.

26 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

tanks. Thermite is a chemical exothermic reaction rather than a fire and is explosive. It can burn under water and as such, it is very difficult to extinguish - it grabs the oxygen from water (H²O) to fuel its chemical reaction. It burns at 2000°c and there have already been some horrific industry accidents overseas.

Audi has approved the Prowotech mobile dust extraction system and delivered this to its approved repairers as mandatory equipment - it is currently the only manufacturer-approved dust extraction system for mixed material repair on the Australian market. The purpose of the training course was to educate repairers and to demonstrate how to use the new dust extraction equipment.

The key is to empty the dust tray in the dust extractor often and to vacuum metal and aluminium dust from the work area floor regularly as they also present a serious explosion risk if ignited.

The Prowotech mobile dust extractor is rated for combustible dust area ZONE 22, Explosive Group IIIC, IP55 and has special anti-static hoses and a TUV certified spark trap and calming device which ensures that the dust enters the tray at not more 135°c.

SAPE's equipment division manager Beau Knowles was there to demonstrate how the Prowotech operates and to explain about the different filters for carbon fibre and aluminium fume extraction.

As an employer you are legally required to provide a safe working environment and this includes training in working safely with new materials.

Audi’s safety tips were: • Always work, dry water + aluminium dust produces flammable gas • Never mix steel, aluminium and CFRP dust. Keep the extraction processes strictly separated • Keep the total amount of dust inside the machine as small as possible. Empty the dust container after every job.

• Do not use the extraction unit outside the mixed material repair bay.

• Always work clean. Cleanliness is a very effective safety factor.

• Always stay alert while operating with flammable, explosive, hazardous or cancer-causing dust and use the correct equipment www.paintandpanel.com.au

T2018-009400 TOY0416

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The list of Toyota Genuine Parts with new competitive pricing keeps on growing. With boot lids, tail lamps, rear tailgates, diff carrier assembly, transmissions, drum brakes and disc brakes now added to two thousand plus parts already available. Contact your local authorised Toyota Dealership for the full range.

toyota.com.au/parts

INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

ESSENTIAL HOLDEN COLLISION FORUMS LEFT: 2017 Holden Collision Forum in Holden HQ, Mlebourne.

BELOW: Damian Cahill, collision business manager, Holden.

I don't have to read through 1,000 page manual to find out the THE ANNUAL HOLDEN collision forums give repairers the new repair methodology for these cars. It's shows us at what opportunity to meet with Holden and hear the latest insights in we've will have to deal with as a bodyshop owner." the correct methods for repairing the latest models.

Dominic Mazzeo of B&A Motor Body Repairs treats the Holden The event also allows repairers to have an open dialogue on Collision Forum as a team building exercise. what a quality repair means for vehicle owners.

“Around six to eight of my Holden's collision business manager, technicians attend the forum, Damian Cahill, said the forums give “We all go out to dinner including apprentices. We all go out to repairers the ability to learn about new dinner afterwards and discuss what aspects of repairs and vehicle safety. afterwards and discuss what we’ve learned, how it will affect the "The Holden collision forums are an we’ve learned, how it will affect way we work and whether we need to ideal opportunity for collision repairers, the way we work and whether take any actions to repair Holdens Holden dealers and and insurance safely. Last year we learned about the companies to meet with Holden. we need to take any actions to centre pillar repair and we enrolled "It also everyone to learn some new repair Holdens safely.” staff in an I-CAR welding course to aspects about repairs to current Holden ensure we had the skills to repair this vehicles and changes to the Holden correctly. Not only are the forums collision business. useful for their focus on new technologies and new cars but there "At this year's collision forums, we'll be talking about our are always models there for the team to look over and familiarise newest models, future vehicle safety requirements, sources of themselves with. Even a small thing like knowing where the bonnet Holden repair information and changes we've introduced based catch is on a new model means you aren’t searching around the first on feedback from the collision industry. time you quote a customer, who otherwise might worry that you "We are also aiming to have some special guests where possible." are repairing your car but you can’t open the bonnet.”

The forum includes a number of hands-on exhibits and parts displays to allow trade customers to interact with Holden staff and receive more directed information for their needs.

Monza Smash Repairs owner, Scott Stephens, says that the forums prepare repairers for new technologies in the repair process which he says is crucial for a successful repair.

"It was great to just get a feel for what's coming at us in the future and what we're going to have to deal with and learning how to repair moving forward with the new technology coming Kick off is in Melbourne at Holden HQ on 2 July followed by at us, with the new designs.

Brisbane, Newcastle, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide. We’ll be "I think if you want to repair a motor vehicle in the correct manner, publishing dates and locations on the Paint & Panel website you've got to know what you need to know in order to do that. or you can ask your local Holden dealer for details.

"These forums put information out there in an easy manner.

THE HOLDEN COLLISION FORUMS RUN FROM 2 JULY TO 2 AUGUST 2018

28 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

www.paintandpanel.com.au

sikkensvr.com

CREATING INNOVATION TOGETHER In the world of collision repair, AkzoNobel has been developing the industry’s leading digital color techniques and technologies, and continuously reinventing for the future. Building on our advanced tools, Automatchic Vision and MIXIT, we are proud to offer a portfolio that harnesses the power of digital color technology, to benefit your business and help you achieve

measurable improvements – greater accuracy, greater efficiency and ultimately, greater profitability. In some cases, Sikkens users report an average reduction of up to 20% in overall paint use after adopting digital color tools.

Visit www.colorvation.com

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GLASURIT

130 YEARS INNOVATING The year 2018 is a significant one for Glasurit, BASF’s premium paint brand.

Exactly 130 years ago, Max Winkelmann laid the cornerstone for his company that spawned Glasurit.

30 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

SINCE THEN, GLASURIT has not only participated in the developments of the paint technologies but has also played a key role in shaping them, going down in paint history time and time again.

One of the first paint products developed by Winkelmann was the paint colour crystal white, an absolute innovation of its time. Up until then, it was usual in Germany to apply pigments and paint in two successive coats. Winkelmann’s revolutionary idea of combining pigments and binders in a single ready-for-use product made application much easier back in the day and also substantially increased the durability of the coating. This philosophy – developing products that make it easy for users to achieve first-class results – continues to serve as Glasurit’s basis for success today.

In the past 130 years, Glasurit has made a name for itself as a technological leader with its innovative products. In 1925, Glasurit began producing paints at its Münster site. These paints made Germany’s first spray application for cars possible.

In 1964, Glasurit introduced 54 Line, the first metallic basecoat/clearcoat system for automotive refinishing. In 1982,

www.paintandpanel.com.au

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GLASURIT

the introduction of the systematically coordinated products in the Glasurit RATIO System heralded the age of efficient, simple, clearly arranged and safe automotive refinishing processes. In 1992, Glasurit became one of the first manufacturers worldwide to launch a waterborne refinish system. With Glasurit 90 Line, automotive refinishing is so easy, economical and safe, that worldwide success came overnight – and continues today.

Today, Glasurit’s product range extends far beyond refinish products. Glasurit offers innovative tools for colour matching, certified technicians and consultants, a comprehensive range of consultancy products for boosting efficiency, a global network of training centres and, last but not least, the Refinish Competence Centre in Wetherill Park, the state-of-the-art training facility for the refinishing sector, supporting body shops in achieving perfect refinishing results as efficiently as possible and securing long-term economic success.

For 130 years, Glasurit has remained true to its philosophy and has thus not just been successful itself, but has made its customers successful as well. Glasurit is taking the opportunity on this anniversary to thank its customers worldwide. Glasurit is represented with its products and services in nearly all of the countries in the world and numerous activities, on both a large and small scale, are now underway for the anniversary year. In addition, the “130 year” motto will accompany Glasurit’s events all year long.

RGHT: Back in 1888, Max Winkelmann laid the cornerstone for his company that spawned the world’s successful Glasurit automotive refinish brand.

BELOW: 130 Anniversary Year Fact: In 1893 founder Max Winkelmann marketed his first paint under the name ‘Crystal White’. The area of application of this white enamel, originally used for ocean liners, soon expands.

LEFT: In 1898, ten years after founding the business, Max Winkelmann registered the trade name Glasurit to sell his products under one name. The name reflects the enamel-like glaze and hardness of paint finishes and promises quality (“Glasur” means glaze or enamel)

LEFT: 1992 Glasurit puts one of the first waterborne basecoat systems on the market.

TOP LEFT: 2015 The Glasurit parrot turns 90.

The parrot has been part of the Glasurit trademark since 1925.

MAIN & BELOW: Glasurit’s state-of-theart training centre in Sydney opened in 2014.

RIGHT: 1925 the parrot is registered as a protected trademark. Together with the logo, the parrot gives Glasurit products an unmistakable and attractive appearance BELOW: 1945-55 during the recovery period after World War II, the demand for paints increased rapidly. The reputation of Glasurit’s lacquers and paints grew, including many countries outside Germany.

www.paintandpanel.com.au

May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 31

GRIFFON

GRIFFON IS A DRIVE ON BENCH WITH A DUAL LIFTING SYSTEM USING A RUNNING DECK PLATE. NO NEED FOR DISMANTLING THE ANCHORING CLAMPS AND CROSS MEMBERS WHEN POSITIONING THE VEHICLE. THE INNER LIFTING SYSTEM IS OPERATED BY MEANS OF A REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM. 360° ANCHORING DUAL LIFT QUICK LOAD AVAILABLE IN VAS VERSION 811 001

GRIFFON XL(VAS)

GRIFFON XL IS DRIVE ON BENCH SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO REPAIR COMMERCIAL VEHICLES AND SUV. THE LENGTH ENABLES YOU TO COMPLETE SIMULTANEOUS REPAIRS AT THE FRONT AND AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. APPROVED BY THE VOLKSWAGEN AUTO GROUP (VAG).

5.8M LENGTH

4200KGS LIFT CAPACITY

X-ONE

X-TRAC

X-TRAC IS A LIFTING TABLE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR LIGHT AND COSMETIC IMPACT REPAIRS. WITH A GROUND HEIGHT OF LESS THAN 105 MM, THE X-TRAC IS IDEAL FOR LOW CLEARANCE VEHICLES. AN ADAPTION KIT MAY BE FITTED TO ALLOW THE LIFTING OF A SEVENNE BENCH WITH JIGGED VEHICLE. 10 TON PULL

1.4 M LIFT HEIGHT

4000KGS LIFT CAPACITY

Quality European Equipment With Unparalleled Local Service & Support!!

TWO INNER LIFTING UNITS

X-ONE IS A LIFTING TABLE SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR LIGHT AND COSMETIC IMPACT REPAIRS. ONCE POSITIONED ON THE TABLE, THE VEHICLE CAN BE EASILY AND RAPIDLY LIFTED UP BY THE WHEELS ENABLING THE TECHNICIAN TO GET ACCESS TO THE ANCHORING POINTS. 10 TON PULL

1.6M LIFT HEIGHT

3000KGS LIFT CAPACITY

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RHONE

RHONE IS A DRIVE ON BENCH WITH AN INTEGRATED LIFT WHICH ENABLES STRUCTURAL MEASURES AND REPAIRS OF DAMAGED VEHICLES WITH THE MZ/ MZ+ BRACKET SETS OR CELETTE NAJA MEASURING SYSTEM. INSTALLATION OF DAMAGED VEHICLES THANKS TO THE CELETTE TROLLEY SYSTEM. 1.32M LIFT HEIGHT 2800KGS LIFT CAPACITY AVAILABLE IN VAS VERSION 811 005

360° ANCHORING

SEVENNE

SEVENNE IS A UNIVERSAL MOBILE BENCH WHICH CAN BE UPGRADED TO GRIFFON OR RHONE. THE ANCHORING MAY BE ACHIEVED ALL AROUND THE BENCH, THANKS TO ITS PERIPHERAL FRAME FOR THE QUICK FIXING OF WHEELS, CLAMPS, MULTI USE SUPPORTS, AND A STEERING HANDLE. MOBILE 360° ANCHORING AVAILABLE IN XL VERSION (5.8M) AVAILABLE IN VAG VERSION 1920/1

For quality celette measuring and straightening systems that will produce the best results and last in a body shop environment then the sape group is your only option!

CAMELEON

THE CAMELEON IS A FULLY CUSTOMISABLE FIXTURE-SET SOLUTION FOR STRUCTURAL MEASURES AND REPAIRS OF DAMAGED VEHICLES. THE CAMELEON IS MODULAR AND SCALABLE WITH A SET OF STANDARD TIPS, ADJUSTABLE X AND Y PLATES AND ADJUSTABLE JIGS. ADAPTABLE TO ALL VEHICLES

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NAJA 3D

NAJA EVOLUTION 3D IS COMPUTERIZED MEASURING DEVICE FOR VERIFICATION AND REPAIR OF DAMAGED VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE UTILISES MEASUREMENTS FROM OEM-PROVIDED 3D CAD DRAWINGS FOR THE MOST ACCURATE MEASURING SYSTEM IN THE INDUSTRY. INSTANT MEASUREMENT

0.5MM TOLERANCE

WEB BASED UPDATES

CRASH COURSE

ARE WE BECOMING DRIVING DUMMIES? While the identity of this columnist has always been secret, I don’t think reading this anyone will be in any doubt that they are middle aged and grew up driving “real” cars. knowing that the non-collapsible ‘spearing’ column is only A FRIEND RECENTLY drew my attention to the astonishing centimetres from the chest. Unassisted steering coupled with number of YouTube clips featuring animals driving cars. This in what seems like an infinite number of turns lock to lock will turn got me thinking about the skills we humans need to have the driver’s palms and brow sweating in no time. Vacuum actually drive a car. operated windscreen wipers, cross-ply tyres and the four saucers From a crude and flimsy ‘horseless carriage’ over 100 years ago, the which occasionally pass for brakes will have the driver’s skill set car has morphed into an indispensable part of the 21st century. fully challenged should wet weather be encountered. Throw in a Despite its flaws, it remains useful, practical and in some cases a downhill, off-camber corner and a change of underwear will be thing of beauty. It seems however, that our ability to skilfully control the order of the day. it is steadily being lost, much to the delight of autobody repairers.

Modern car design and engineering have basically addressed most In just a handful of years, driving ability has been gradually of the cars’ safety issues so we don’t need to engage with a car as eroded by computer chips, engineers, nanny-state governments and we did 50 odd years ago. That said, the car manufacturers’ drive autonomy-obsessed car manufacturers flogging connectivity and towards autonomy may safety ‘kit’. This so-called ironically be coming at a kit is a motoring cost to road safety itself. scribbler’s term to describe The proliferation of the stuff that is only devices drivers are coming useful if you’re not really to rely on that replace interested in driving or basic driving competence you can’t actually drive. seem to have also lulled Prime examples of this drivers into a false sense have to be “rain-sensing of security. A large wipers” and “auto lights proportion of them think on”. Seriously folks, if you it is okay to be distracted can’t tell that it’s raining by mobile phones while or getting dark, then driving. So, until car you’re either pissed or manufacturers come up blind. Either way, you with an anti-stupidity shouldn’t be behind system, this transition the wheel. period to autonomy and Then there’s ‘auto park’ diminishing driving to park for you and a “I was a YouTube sensation, skills has got to be good cornering function or lane before these damn autonomous cars came along.” news for the autobody departure to go around repair industry. corners staying in your If phone and technology related companies successfully continue lane. Logically, if you need these, you can’t park or steer – two with their influence and push into car manufacturing and essential driving skills which were supposedly demonstrated during autonomy, the word ‘drive’ itself will become an anachronism. your licence test. Likewise if you need radar cruise control, auto There’s also a lot I don’t understand about the logic of braking or a 360 degree camera to drive then perhaps you should give contemporary car design. I am reminded of this every time I get into it away and use public transport instead. a Korean or Japanese made car then a European one. Not because of That’s not to say that today’s genuine safety aids like anti-lock the wiper/indicator infuriation that every car sharing driver suffers braking systems, seatbelts, airbags, advanced high technology – but because of the peculiarities that compromise safety. Almost construction and crumple zones have not been of immense benefit in without exception, newer cars which still have push buttons in the saving lives. It’s the lack of driver attention, engagement and skill centre stack oblige those of us visually challenged to commission that have become a safety issue. This is most likely a consequence of reading glasses to locate and decipher the hieroglyphics-like figures the driver letting the car do the thinking for them. on them and complete a once-simple task. Some manufacturers now There was a time when a driver had to engage with a car. require accessing a menu through poking the touchscreen or Switches had to be pushed and knobs turned to make it operate manipulating some console-mounted widget just to adjust the radio’s safely. Taking any old car from the 50s or 60s for a spirited run volume. Oh, in case you’ve noticed that drivers of some new Audi/VW gives a great perspective as to the period of motoring when a models seem to constantly have one hand off the steering wheel driver’s life and that of their passengers was dependent on total shooing flies trapped in their car, well they’re not. They are using engagement with their car. This guaranteed panacea for “gesture control” which lets them navigate the infotainment system inattention, begins with sitting on a vinyl seat which does a with a mid-air swipe of the hand. Yet another feature for the great imitation of a park bench with no lateral support when you gimmick-obsessed that I can’t get my head around. begin cornering. The retro-fitted seatbelts are of little comfort 34 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

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BUSINESS MATTERS

Business coach and ex-panel beater, Ben Fewtrell, knows what practices make a successful business. Do you employ all 10 of these in your business?

TIPS TO BUILD A GREAT AUTOBODY REPAIR BUSINESS

Ben Fewtrell

BEING GREAT AT what you do doesn’t guarantee you’ll be great at running a business. It’s likely you have now created a job wearing more hats than you care to admit.

Successfully running and building a bodyshop business requires a different skillset and mindset to being on the tools. Here are my 10 tips to make sure you’re on track:

ON NOT IN YOUR BUSINESS 1WORK

Having a clear target will give you, your team and your business purpose. Your goals can be as simple as a revenue target or something that creates a far greater impact. Maybe you’re passionate about helping people in third world countries, your goal could be that for every repair you do you donate a percentage of the profit to provide drinking water for a community or sponsor a child for a month. Having goals will get your customers more enrolled in your vision and will make each month a race to beat the last month’s figures.

36 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

Without positive cash flow and healthy profits, your business will be a challenge to own and operate. You’ll need to develop a healthy habit for cash flow forecasting and budgeting.

You should look at your budget versus actuals monthly to make sure you’re on track to achieving your profit goals. You’ll need a proactive accountant or mentor to meet with monthly, this way you can objectively review your numbers.

“Cross training people in your business will make it more flexible and your team will love learning new skills.”

Getting off the tools can be a difficult transition, but this alone will be a huge benefit to you and your business.

Start small by allocating one day per week for working on your business. Try to work from home or a serviced office on things such as planning, marketing, systemisation, team development programs etc.

2SET GOALS

3KNOW YOUR NUMBERS

4BE AN INSPIRING LEADER

As you build your business you’ll soon learn that your greatest asset is your team. No one has ever achieved anything great alone, and your business is no different. Leadership is a skill that can be learnt and developed. You’ll need to invest some time working with and understanding what is important to each of your team members. A happy team is motivated to help you achieve your goals, especially if you’re helping them achieve their goals.

5DEVELOP YOUR TEAM

Although a lot of your team are already skilled technicians, further development is important. Creating a program to upskill your team is easy and will benefit your business greatly.

Cross training people in your business will make it more flexible and your team will love learning new skills. Some people have said to me “what happens if I train my team and they leave?” I always reply, “Id be more concerned if you don’t train them and they stay”. www.paintandpanel.com.au

BUSINESS MATTERS

6SYSTEMISE YOUR BUSINESS

The easiest way to ensure your business will run smoothly and grow even if you’re not there is to systemise. Start by listing all repetitive tasks. For example, a customer dropping in for a quote or picking up their car. Anything that happens more than once should be systemised. As your team come to you and ask questions, make a note if it is something you could systemise and work on these during your ‘work on the business’ time.

7TAKE TIME TO WORK ON YOURSELF

Unfortunately, they don’t teach you the skills you need to build and run a successful business when you are an apprentice. Your business is a direct reflection of yourself. You’ll need to learn more, if you want to earn more. Invest at least 30 minutes a day reading, listening or watching something that will develop your skills as a business owner. There are many free resources available including podcasts, YouTube videos and business blogs. If you’re pressed for time, use travel time in your car to listen to audio books or podcasts.

8

THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

You’ve probably heard the saying, “Do what you’ve always done, and you’ll get what you’ve always got”. Your industry is changing every day and you’ll need to innovate and adapt to be successful. Think about what other products or services you could offer your current customers, or how you may be able to use your current resources to serve a new market.

9MANAGE YOUR TIME

One of the keys to building a great business is learning that how you invest your time is more important than how you invest your money. After all, you can lose all your money and then make it back, but once you have spent your time doing something you shouldn’t, that time is gone forever. Being busy and working hard is not going to guarantee success. You need to make sure you’re being productive by working on the right things at the right time. Use a diary and be disciplined when it comes to saying ‘Yes’. Everything you say ‘Yes’ to means you are saying ‘No’ to something else.

10 GET A MENTOR

High performers rarely achieve their goals without the help of a mentor or coach. Many people have previously achieved what you have set out to do and can help you get the results you want faster.

It’s commonplace for business owners to work one on one with a business coach or mentor to help you achieve your goals quicker.

Ben Fewtrell is the author of the Business Exceleration Blueprint, is a sought-after advisor, keynote speaker, podcast host and trainer. He has personally mentored and coached hundreds of business owners in dozens of industries, building his own multi-million dollar business in the process.

Visit: Maxmyprofit.com.au

WORLD CLASS SURFACE FINISHING Hi-Performance & Professional

StorkAWD Pty Ltd www.paintandpanel.com.au

03-95606060

www.storkawd.com.au May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 37

PRESENTED BY

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If you’re the manager or colleague of a dynamic female professional, then nominate them now! We also want to hear from shop owners and suppliers – tell us who is making a real difference to your business and industry.

CATEGORIES: ● TECHNICIANS | ESTIMATORS ● ADMIN | RECEPTION | CUSTOMER SERVICE ● OWNER | MANAGER Six winners will be honoured – two per category. All interstate finalists will be flown to the Women in Collision Awards & Seminar (Sydney, November 2018).

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INDUSTRY TRENDS

ALL SHINY AND NEW Sam Street has been having a sticky beak at some new shops around the country.

All of these repairers have the confidence in their future to invest in new facilities and are positive about the industry and the opportunities it presents.

40 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

SPOT ON PANEL, DEER PARK I've seen some pretty amazing shops over the seven years I've worked on Paint and Panel – incredibly schmick, incredibly big, incredibly clever – but I have to say Spot on Panel in Deer Park, Melbourne made my jaw drop the furthest.

It's not the biggest autobdy repair facility in Australia but it will be in the top five. When it comes to street presence though, I'm going to say it can't be beaten. The orginal shop and the new one stretch a long way down the five acre site. The frontage on a busy road just goes on and on and on. You can't miss it that's for sure.

Vesco Jolevski is no stranger to big shops – his Maidstone facility is hardly a shoebox – 3,200 m2 of workshop and around 4,200 m2 of car park.

The original Spot On Panel Deer Park, which was built in 2010, will be used for non-drive repairs, while the mammoth new shop will favour rapid repairs and possibly a mechanical section.

The shop is around 7000m2 on the five acre site. It has taken around two years for Jolevski to realise his vision for this massive facility and cost close to $16 million. When I asked him why he built such a huge shop he simply said: "Because I need it. The insurance companies want volume and aren't so eager to deal with small shops."

There has been a great deal of interest from insurers in the new facility many of whom have stopped in to have a look at the place.

Jolevski started in the industry after he smashed his car and decided it was too expensive to get it fixed. He went to Sunshine Technical College – and had a broad education which covered electrical, mechanical, panel beating and spray painting, woodwork, engineering, technical drawing and more. Then he bought a small shop in Sunshine when he was 22 with a friend, who he later bought out. After six years he built a new 800m2 shop in Tottenham. A few shops later, in 2012 he built the www.paintandpanel.com.au

INDUSTRY TRENDS

substantial Spot On Panels in Maidstone. Altogether Spot On Panels has three sites now – Sunshine, Maidstone and Deer Park with the potential capacity to repair 300? cars a week.

Spot On also has a fleet of 120 courtesy cars which not-at-fault drivers are placed in and those at fault have the opportunity to hire. Jolevski designed his own chassis alignment system back in the 90s after investigating different units and uses the Shark measuring system with them. He says they are quick to set up and have three pulling arms which can work independently.

In the extremely long workshop, the chassis alignment equipment is at each end and Jolevski plans to have two teams working, one on each side. The paint shop is by Masterbooth and features paint prep stations which look a bit like cocktail bars.

At the far end of the workshop is another huge room which will be the customer collection area.

The reception is also gargantuan and has another level above it for offices. All in all a mighty and impressive undertaking and we wish the Spot On team every success.

OPPOSITE PAGE TOP: You would need an extra, extra wide angled lens to capture the massive, long shop front with ‘can’t miss it’ curb appeal.

OPPOSITE PAGE BOTTOM: Masterbooth prep stations are spacious and stylish.

LEFT: Vesco Jolevski thinks big for Spot On. BELOW: Lowbake paint shop at Macarthur Prestige Bodyshop.

PRESTIGE TRINITY Macarthur Prestige opened its doors last September in Smeaton Grange, NSW. It is owned by the Pro Auto Group which consists of Steve Drane and Mario Kordovolos who both own dealerships and Glenn O’Donnell who is the managing director.

O’Donnell has a great deal of prestige experience having set up Alto BMW Artarmon and Pennant Hills Bodyshops as well as North Shore Collision Centre, in Artarmon.

The facility used to be a BMW showroom and has retained the great showroom floor tiles and, handily for the painters, the air conditioning in what is now the paint shop.

Macarthur prestige has factory approvals from BMW, Lexus, Toyota and, most recently, VW. The business partners identified a lack of resource in the area for prestige repairs

www.paintandpanel.com.au

May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 41

INDUSTRY TRENDS

and business has been brisk with the team repairing between 30-40 vehicles per week.

The reception retains the dealership feel, the paint shop is all Lowbake and the panel shop sports an aluminium repair bay and shelves especially designed for the Cellette benches to tuck underneath.

This will be a great candidate in the dealer-owned bodyshop category of our 2018 Paint and Panel Bodyshop Awards.

ANDREWS COLLISION AUTO REPAIRS Andrews Collision Auto Repairs opened the workshop doors on its brand new, purpose-built Ingleburn shop on March 19.

First of all let me say 'yay' for the name because their first well-established business is called Andrew's Smash. After attending our LIVE conference last year where we discussed the negative connotations of the word smash and how it didn't reflect the expertise of what went on inside the workshop doors, the team have taken the opportunity to oust the word.

When I first met the Pastalis brothers back in 2014 I knew their intelligence, ambition and hard work would eventually lead to greater things. Andrew's is a second generation business run by three brothers, Michael, Terry and Theo.

The original Moorebank branch won best large shop, NSW in the 2015 Paint and Panel Bodyshop Awards. While it's an old building, it's quaint and attractive from the outside and brilliantly run inside.

IAG obviously agrees as the insurance giant was happy to give Andrew's a contract if the brothers built a second shop.

Michael Pastalis has been in charge of setting up the new site.

The brothers have bought the land – it's a 3,000m2 block – and built this 1500m2 facility to cater for structural repairs. It took a substantial $5.2 million investment in this second facility and Michael is already on the look out for a third.

"This is a huge growth area," Michael said. "New suburbs are

42 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

opening all the time, they estimate that there will be 150,000 more residents in just two years."

The Ingleburn site only opened the day before I visited and, while it had all the equipment in place, wasn't quite finished – they are still waiting for reception furniture, signage and other final touches. However, it is entered into this year's Paint and Panel Bodyshop Awards in the new shop category and will be finished by judging time in July and I look forward to seeing it again.

www.paintandpanel.com.au

INDUSTRY TRENDS

FLETCHERS SMASH, PERTH Van and Amy Lam have taken the plunge and built a new shop while still running the old one which they have outgrown. The business stays in the same Perth suburb of Malaga.

Van, a spray painter by trade, made the impressive lighting array which will ensure the panel shop is a bright environment. He had a stellar start to his career winning WA worldskills back in 2000 and bagging third place in the nationals. When we visited back in March, Fletchers was still a building site but not too far off completion and it looks like its going to be a great, modern, workshop with excellent customer facilities. The couple took over the old shop back in 2005.

It's not often you hear repairers in Australia singing the praises of insurers but RAC over in WA is getting a great rap from many of its network. "RAC has been really helpful and www.paintandpanel.com.au

TOP: Truflow paintshop at Andrews Collision Auto Repairs.

LEFT: Smart, modern exterior for Andrews new non-drive shop in Smeaton Grange, NSW. THIS PAGE: Van Lam at the new Fletchers Smash in Malaga, WA. ABOVE LEFT: Just finished, Fletchers panel workshop, Lam designed and built the light array himself.

ABOVE: Funky exterior, the new shop will revolutionise the way the Fletcher’s team work.

May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 43

INDUSTRY TRENDS

supportive of the new shop," Van said. "They have the attitude that if we work together everyone benefits."

Building a new shop and running the old one is stressful enough, but Fletcher's suffered a setback with a break in when a huge amount of tools, many being utilised for the Lowbake booth and prep station installation, were taken. Although it pushed back the completion date, luckily the thieves were caught by the police in pursuit of another crime and many of the tools were returned. We look forward to visiting the completed shop on the 2018 Paint and Panel Bodyshop Awards judging trail.

MUIRS PRESTIGE, SYDNEY Muirs Automotive set up on Parramatta Road, Sydney 70 years ago – two years before Holden started making cars in Australia.

The Westconnex Project has bought the dealership site and Muirs closed the doors for the last time in March, after the company was unable to find a suitable site to relocate.

44 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

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INDUSTRY TRENDS

LEFT: The Muirs team. Below a makeover and new logo has modernised the exterior which is exposed to thousands of potential passing trade thanks to it busy Paramatta Road location in Sydney’s Haberfield.

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Long time Muirs Prestige Repairs employees Peter Lake and Gerry McGillcuddy bought the business last year and have undertaken a substantial makeover including a new concrete f loor, new logo, as well as new offices and staff facilities.

Lake said that the prime location and the loyalty of the team who all stayed on were two of the main reasons for buying the business.

Fresh paint has spruced up an old boutique shop. Inner city repairers in small premises always struggle for space, however the recent refurbishment has meant that there’s an easy workflow.

The business has a wide spread of clients – including plenty of Holden and Kia customers (thanks to the dealership relationship) and seven police station fleets. www.paintandpanel.com.au

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May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 45

IS YOUR SHOP A CUT ABOVE THE REST? DO YOUR STAFF DESERVE NATIONAL RECOGNITION? Have your business and staff recognised and rewarded as Australia’s best.

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WELDING

IT’S A LIFE OR DEATH SKILL Sam Street delved into the world of welding for this feature and found it a complex and challenging subject.

KNOWING I WAS planning this welding feature I-CAR very kindly invited me to one of its introduction to welding courses at Sydney TAFE, a prelude to the certification course which previously had a high failure rate. It now has a 98% pass rate but a worryingly low take up rate. That means there are thousands of panel technicians in this market unaware of the latest welding methods for new vehicle construction materials. They are almost certainly performing incorrect welds that compromise the structural safety of the cars they are working on that won't perform as they should in the next shunt or smash? That could be life or death.

BLIND AS A BAT? What I discovered first of all is that the vast majority of mature panel technicians don't have 20/20 vision, to say the least. If you can't see what you are doing, then how do you know if its right? Even if the eyesight is adequate many welding helmets are so poorly looked after that the technician can't really see out of them anyway.

According to David Chippendale of AWS (Australian Welding Supplies) there are approximately 73,000 Australians employed as welders with the majority over 50 years of age. He says there are many solutions to assist welders view their arc with more clarity.

Start with the easiest solution first, replace your outside and inside protection plates more frequently. This will ensure an unobstructed view of the welding arc through your welding lens.

If you still can’t see with the detail you need, most welding 48 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

helmets allow for the insertion of a magnifying lens. These inexpensive 'cheater lenses' allow welders to view their work with more detail without the need to move closer to the arc and weld plume. Advancements in welding lens technology have also led to game-changing innovations like Speedglas True-View. And here's the sales bit. New Speedglas True-View technology gives welders a view with more realistic colour that appears lighter and brighter. By allowing a wider colour spectrum to be visible through the lens, welders can read surfaces, contours and edges better and benefit from greater control over their welds. More details at www.aswi.com.au

TIP OF THE ICEBERG So let's assume that the incredibly critical vision element is sorted, it turns out that many weld using the wrong tip which causes fluctuation in the current and leads to incorrect welds.

Then there's wire tension – also important to ensure a steady current. Quite often if the wire is loose it will tangle up into a birds nest – I-Car has a great video on its facebook page showing you how to adjust tension to avoid this.

BULL AT A GATE Now I'm all for charging in – and evidently most panel technicians are too. However practice welds are essential. You don't know if someone has changed the welder settings or any number of different parameters could mean that the weld is too hot which can lead to cracking or quenching quickly? A cheap way of checking your weld afterwards is die soaks which will show any micro fractures. Another simple but vital element many technicians aren’t aware of is the power supply to welder – if it's too far away it could lose up to 40% power leading to – yes – incorrect welds. www.paintandpanel.com.au

WELDING

Inverter synergic welders help to minimise the heat affect zone (HAZ) area by applying a constant heat with minimal fluctuations in amps and allowing for faster travel speeds.

Look for a machine which has a digital display showing: WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN • A setting for wire type, a welder today should have settings for Silicon Bronze A NEW WELDER (CUSI) Steel (FE) and aluminium Geoff Mitchell is the course developer and (ALI or CUAI) welding certifier for I-CAR and my new best mate since I started delving into the • A setting where the technician can complex world of welding. I asked him either set machine by AMPS, wire speed what bodyshops should look out for when or metal thickness. replacing and upgrading welding • The third setting required is the ARC equipment. Do you know what he didn't length control, this is the fine tuning say? “The cheapest unit you can find” dial which heats or cools the wire to although he tells me that price is many create build or to flatten a weld. people's number one priority. A welder With aluminium filtering its way from which doesn't perform as it needs to in down from exotica to everyday cars, buying order to produce safe welds is the a welder with settings for aluminum makes definition of false economy. sense. You may not use it very often, but at Your number one priority is duty cycle and least you are able to, when required. if you have a single welder in your shop with If you are looking for a welding machine a duty cycle less than 60% at 130amps then for aluminium repairs then another very you should list it on ebay right now. good setting to have is the 2T and 4T, this According to Mitchell, minimum amperage helps to eliminate the thermal heat for a MIG/MAG transfer when welding machine attempting to create a would be 180amps. If weld puddle in “A welder which doesn’t you buy a cheap 140 aluminium. Without perform as needs to in amp machine even, if these setting order to produce safe it's only for thin steel, technicians will have your workshop will to start away from the welds is the definition have a problem. Duty joint then run into of false economy.” cycle will be far less, the joint to create meaning your heat at the weld zone. technician will only be able to weld for a percentage of time IDEAL OPERATING before machine starts to lay weak welds or a CONDITIONS technician will attempt to weld steel beyond There's a huge selection of welding the welders parameters where the weld may equipment from a myriad of manufacturers look good but has no strength. and distributors and we provide you with a Mitchell points out that non- inverter snapshot of what is available over the next welders (old style transformer types) take few pages. time to burn in to steel effectively leaving In order for these machines to weld a cold start on each weld, this area will effectively they need to be wielded by always be a week point. On older mild steel technicians that understand how to use vehicles this would work ok as the steel is them properly on the multitudinous car much softer and accepts the weld easier. body construction materials that will be Today we need inverter technology which served up to them in the workshop. If your gives punch to the start of a weld zone. technicians haven't undertaken any He recommends moving into inverter training since they finished their technology, as that's what the OEM’s want apprenticeship (unless of course they you to use. One step above an inverter is graduated in the last couple of years) then inverter synergic. These welders allow the it's almost guaranteed that they will be technician to set parameters with one dial, performing incorrect welds. There's no AMPS and wire speed. A digital display will excuse – training providers can come to assist technicians with a start point from your workshop or offer on-line courses. which they can adjust depending on each Your technician needs upgrading just as individual’s style of welding. much as the equipment he uses.

Then there's squeeze time and hold time – with different types of steel this is becoming increasingly important and many of the panel technicians haven't the faintest idea about these according to I-CAR’s instructors.

www.paintandpanel.com.au

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May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 49

WELDING TECHNOLOGY

TELWIN 14000 SMART This is an Italian-made microprocessor controlled resistance welding machine available from NCS Welding. It uses medium frequency, direct current (MFDC) inverter technology.

The power gun technology allows for high spot-welding currents with low absorption rates. It has longer (5m) and lighter cables and a wider range of action and minimum magnetic fields around the cables. Automatic pressure monitoring ensures excellent adjustment of the force applied to the gun electrodes.

It gives excellent results also on high strength steel, boron and galvanised metal sheets.

The innovative Smart Autoset technology with automatic recognition of the materials and thickness eliminates set-up and guarantees optimal spot welding even if the types of steel to be processed are not known.

GYS BP LCX The inverter spot welding machine GYSPOT BP.LCX is ideal for welding high strength steels (UHSS/boron steel) with 550 daN electrode arm force and 13,000 amps maximum welding current.

The C-clamp with double action allows an opening of 80mm of the electrodes by a simple pressure on a button.

The automatic adjustment of the welding parameters in the auto mode makes the machine simple to use. This is a great crossover unit to be compliant with insurers and is equipped with 2 welding guns (X-Gun and C-Gun) and water cooling for both guns.

Visit: www.sape.com.au.

50 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

The WAVE technology facilitates interaction with the machine and tracks all operating parameters for processing and reporting.

The multifunction digital panel can be used to select the automatic Smart Autoset mode as well as the easy and the manual mode.

• Pre- and post-heating for interventions on HSS and galvanised metals • Automatic recognition of the arm and inserted tool • Monitoring of mains voltage • Automatic cooling control of machine, clamp and cables • Regulation of approach, slope, welding and holding times • Regulation in pulsed welding • Automatic/manual regulation of pressure between electrodes • Mercedes Benz approved • Good value for money

ARO DEBUTS NEW WELDER ARO, creator of the very first integrated transformer gun, has launched the Ergoweld IT automatic R. Ergoweld is a new generation of fully automatic spot welders with single and double gun versions. The Ergoweld IT automatic R is equiped with an 13000A integrated water-cooled transformer gun and has a unique circuit breaker making it the safest IT gun on the market.

Standard circuit breakers are not efficient enough at frequencies over 1000Hz generally used in IT gun converters. As a result, the ARO machine runs safely at 6000Hz, which allows the transformer weight to be reduced to less than 3.5kg.

The Ergoweld IT automatic R weighs in at 11k and comes with a double stroke and a water cooled 5m extra flexible cable harness alongside a choice of two automatic integrated transformer guns, x or c.

The ARO mobile welding product range was developed with the automotive motor body repair market in mind and is also used in automotive prototype build and mainline backup. Over a quarter of million of spot welders have been supplied by ARO to the automotive industry.

For more information: www.maksequipment.com www.paintandpanel.com.au

WELDING TECHNOLOGY

GYSPOT PTI EVOLUTION The Gyspot PTI Evolution is the ideal answer to the welding requirements of high strength steels (UHSS/boron), with a clamping force of 550daN with 8bars air pressure, and a welding current that can reach 14 500Amps. Its C clamp integrates a high-tech transformer and the machine also brings a solution to limited power supply issues, as it can operate with 16 Amps to 25 Amps fuses only. Its operation is extremely easy thanks to the automatic welding parameters setting in EASY mode. Kit includes 7 arms.

Visit www.sape.com.au

POWERFUL CTR7 Car-O-Liner’s new generation welding machine, provides quality spot welds with all the new high-strength steels using cutting edge inverter technology. A wide range of accessories and sophisticated software with semi-automatic control features guarantee perfect welding results.

Powerful - welding currents up to 12,000 amps for powerful output for the toughest welding jobs • Adjustable height - with the aluminum, telescopic support arm with integrated balancer (optional) • Documentation and registration of welding data via PC and USB with the Weldlogger program (optional) • User-friendly control panel for easy navigationInnovative, compact design - with low center of gravity for increased safety and easy handling • Efficient liquid cooling - with the large 20l tank Visit: www.car-o-liner.com.au

Comprehensive repair methods for the most popular vehicles Supported by our world leading Repair Technology Centre • • • • •

Fully researched methods 100% code compliant Contains 19 of the 20 most repaired cars Fast access with ‘Methods Direct’ Free training for subscribers

Buy Your Repair Methods From The Repair Technology Experts:

www.thatchamescribe.com.au 1300 769 348 www.paintandpanel.com.au

May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 51

WELDING TECHNOLOGY

ULTIMATE SPOT WELDER Developed on the principle of no need to set, just weld, the Car-O-Liner CTR 12000 inverter Spot Welder sets a high bar for automatic welding. As soon as the welding process starts and the electrode holder moves towards an object, the CTR 12000 records the total thickness of the metal plate, in a matter of a few milliseconds.

When current starts to flow, the welder recognises material as high-strength or maximum-strength steels, and coated or laminated steel panels. The welding process is then based on this recognition, without the operator having to enter any parameters beforehand.

The Pulse-Sonar System automatically recognises total sheet thickness, while the Virtual Generator recognises material type.

Features include automatic definition of weld nugget diameter via total energy input, transformer C-spot welding using 10 kHz technology and optional welding data documentation.

CTR 12000 is able to take high input currents of up to 12,000 A, while providing high quality performance 'spot by spot'. Quality assurance management includes a database that contains all the required parameters, classified by material type and thickness. A USB port allows easy upgradeability.

Contact Car-O-Liner: (02) 4271 6287.

AUTOMATICALLY TECHNA A fully automatic unit and when in the Smart Plus mode can recognise the type and thickness of the sheets to be welded. This saves time by automatically setting specific welding parameters ensuring the best welding quality.

This system is recommended especially for HSS and you can easily upload the latest welding programs.

The energy-efficient machine delivers 14.000A using a 32A fuse and is especially useful for workshops who struggle with enough mains power.

The water-cooled “C” gun provides an high, constant electrode force, which ever arm it is used with. The flexible and light 4000 mm cable connecting the gun to the machine allows for manoeuvrability without strong magnetic fields.

The welding tool, transformer, arms and electrodes are completely cooled by a closed loop cooling system placed on the system's trolley.

• Fully automatic • Ability to record spot welds and print a report • Touch Screen • Many OEM Approvals • Built in air compressor to better regulate air flow Visit:www.ncswelding.com.au/

DIGITAL REVOLUTION Car-O-Liner's super versatile CMI273 and CMI273 Pulse welders can handle all types of MiG/MAG wedling from the most demanding to the simplest, using small or large wire reels. With synerfic, preset welding programs and automatied function these machines are ideas for sheet metal and aluminium to car body welding. Once the welder has set the main parameters the machine will automaticall adjust all other parameters so you just need to switch on press and weld. Auto pulse technology prevents weld spatter and ensure optimal preservation of strength as well as surface protection.

More information at: www.car-o-liner.com.au

52 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

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WELDING TECHNOLOGY

GYS NEOPULSE 300 Ideal for the car body workshop, the NEOPULSE 300 is 270A double pulse MIG Welder, compatible with push pull troches (optional). It requires a three phase power supply between 200 and 460V. The electronic aspect of the NEOPULSE 300 has been improved for: • Accelerated computing speed • Better transfer of metal • Ease of use when welding thin metal sheets Visit:www.SAPE.com.au

INTELLIGENT CAR-O-LINER The digital intelligence of the Car-OLiner CMI3000II makes it easy to find the program relevant to an individual model whether it’s to MIG braze high tensile steels or welding in ferratic stainless steel and hardenable aluminium. The program Wizard is a built-in guide in the control panel which prevents wrong choices. The machine comes with a MIG-A Twist torch which has a swan neck to allow access to hard to reach places.

• True spray pulse function • Pulse and quatro pulse modes • L arge user-friendly controls Visit: www.Car-O-Liner.com.au

SAPE GYS M3 The M3 GYS AUTO is a Synergic single phase MIG-MAG welding machine with three torch connectors. Ideal for car body repairs, it is recommended for welding steel, stainless steel, aluminium and for MIG brazing of high-tensile strength steels (with CuSi3 and CuAl8 wires).

Visit: www.SAPE.com.au

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Phone: (02) 9772 9023 or shop online at shop.sape.com.au SEARCH CAMCUPS www.paintandpanel.com.au

May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 53

BONDING

FINIXA METAL BONDING Bonding panels of differing compositions has never been easier. Whether it's a roof panel replacement, aluminium fender bonding or aluminium doors onto a steel door frame, the solution is Finixa PLI50 metal bonding. The product is a side by side 220ml 2:1 ratio cartridge and can be used with the Finixa PLI60 applicator gun. PLI50 also proudly holds OEM and Thatcham approvals as a structural adhesive.

PLI50 is a two-component structural epoxy adhesive system that is designed and formatted to bond panels with similar or differing materials together with great strength. The bond like thickness is guided by 0.25mm glass beads mixed within the adhesive itself. With a working time of around the 90-minute mark and a drying time of four hours, the PLI50 is a great alternative. Not having to use a welder also means that the risk of leaks or fire is virtually erased making it a safer option also.

This product can be cured at room temperature with the option also to use heat to accelerate the process and can withstand powder prime, automotive e-coat and paint room temperatures up to 230oC. Further benefits/features of the PLI50 include its excellent corrosion protection and high energy absorption which makes for very good crash performance.

More information at www.bodylineimports.com.au or call: (02) 8036 8210.

LORD FUSOR 2098 Fusor 2098 was launched at SEMA 2017 to meet the demand of crash durable and OEM approved structural crash repair.

StorkAWD recommended this as the only structural repair adhesive any crash repair shop will need to meet the demands of insurers for lifetime guarantee repair. The product has already been approved by Mercedes Benz, General Motors, BMW, Tesla, Fiat and PSA Peugeot.

Additional approvals are expected shortly. The product requires little pre-repair preparation and adheres to a wide range of base substrates including aluminium, steel and SMC/FRP/Metton. Another advantage is that the twocomponent epoxy is mixed at the nozzle using an ordinary 300ml cartridge gun. The cartridge can be resealed and kept. It has a long shelf life of 18 months.

54  PAINT&PANEL  May / June 2018

STRENGTH FROM SIKA SikaPower-4720 is a two component, high-strength epoxy adhesive that has excellent adhesion properties on a wide variety of substrates. It's specifically designed for metal and composite panel bonding with exposure to high dynamic stress areas such as door skins, rear body panels, roof skins or quarter panels. It's easy to apply - no fancy cartridge gun required. OEM interchang numbers.

More information at: www.sape.com.au

www.paintandpanel.com.au

RIVETING

THE PNP 90 XT² JLR EDITION

The PNP 90 XT² is a pneumatic, hydraulic universal stamping and riveting tool specifically designed for all common riveting operations on sandwich panels, thin sheet and high-strength sheet.

The equipment's universal technology enables adaptation of various attachments for different applications. The hydraulic pump is a pneumatically-driven pressure

intensifier with a ratio of 1:100.

This means that a hydraulic secondary pressure of 600 bar is generated by a primary air pressure of six bar.

When the equipment's preset final pressure is reached, the pump stops automatically and keeps this pressure constant. The hydraulic pump has a pneumatically controlled pressure relief valve.

The Docking Station DS XT2 supplementary unit is an addition to the PNP 90 XT² stamping and riveting tool.

It ensures consistent quality for the riveting process.

If the operating pressure drops below six bar (minimum operating pressure), the operator will be informed via optical indicator (red LED) and the pressure accumulator will take over the pressure supply.

For more information, contact SAPE on (02) 9772 9019.

W&S XPRESS 800 This top of the line riveter is made in Germany by Weilander Schill. The modular technology means it can be used for a wide range of different applications. The system can be optionally combined with a series of hydraulic cylinders and the designated C-brackets. The system is supplemented by a multitude of special tools for customised applications and is approved

by Mercedes-Benz and Tesla. The beauty of this machine is that you don't have to buy a new power pack when a new riveting tool is available.

Suitable for:

www.paintandpanel.com.au

DOLPHIN

• Punching rivets • Flow form rivets • Blind rivets • Punching • Blind rivet nuts • Clinching More information SAPE: www.sape.com.au

Dolphin 1K Stopper is convenient and ready to use - no hardener required.

For surface imperfections & pinholes Quick drying with excellent adhesion Use straight from the tube No hardener required

U-POL.COM WHEN IT HAS TO BE PERFECT IT HAS TO BE THE NEXT GENERATION OF U-POL BODYFILLERS

May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 55

RIVETING

CMO’S NEW UNIVERSAL RIVETING GUN

UNIVERSAL RIVETING SOLUTIONS The system is a bespoke product for riveting and pressing out self-piercing rivets for autobody repairers.

Car-O-Liner says the lightweight, clever design allows technicians to complete repairs in record time. Its universal technology means you can use various attachments for different applications, including pressing out and calibrating.

Car-O-Liner’s PNP 90 and PNP 90 XT2 riveting tools are ideal solutions to completing all OEM homologated blind rivet and SPR riveting operations in a single system.

They are specifically developed for the most difficult materials such as Ultra High Strength Steels and modern dissimilar laminate materials in the automotive, truck and bus repair industry. The premier PNP 90 XT2 is an adjustable 10 tonne pneumatic-hydraulic system for riveting and pressing out self-piercing rivets. The standard PNP 90 has a pushing (compression) force of six tonnes. Blind rivet capability is also available to run from the same system.

This universal riveting system can save thousands of dollars versus having to purchase numerous riveting systems as specified individually by various OEMs. Easy to use, lightweight and highly efficient, these riveting tools allow your technicians to complete repairs in record time, saving you both time and money.

For more details, contact Julie Thomas (02) 4271 6287.

The CMO manufactured universal rivet gun is ideal for automotive repair using self piercing rivets, flow firm rivets, blind rivets and threaded inserts.

The tool is most useful in assembling sheets through the self-piercing rivets which is one of the most used joining systems from car manufacturers including Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Ferrari, Ford, Tesla and Renault.

The universal rivet gun currently comes in two types: the RV700 and the RV/EPO2.

The RV700 allows for the possibility to mount special actuators for blind rivets and threaded bushes.

It also includes pre-settable programs based on the specifications required by the car manufacturer.

The RV/EP02 allows for the removal of rivets with standard dies and also comes with various c-arm models available.

Both models allow for portable use with 18v DC lithium ion batteries or via a power network cable.

For more information, visit www.maksequipment.com.au.

GYSPRESS 8T RIVET GUN KIT Automatic air powered riveter specially designed to perform common riveting tasks in modern Collision Repair shops including self-piercing rivets and standard flow form rivets.

• Maximum pressure of eight tonnes with integrated pressure gauge.

• Fast and easy arm change.

• C-arm swivels 360° around the riveting machine axle.

• Selection of arms available for difficult access situations.

• Easy to use ergonomic handle and trigger.

• Magnetic matrix makes rivet positioning easy.

The user can manually adjust the actuator speed as well as rivet pressure according to the metal used in order to avoid panel distortion.

56 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

www.paintandpanel.com.au

WELDING SAFETY

ARE YOU LETTING YOUR TECHNICIANS KILL THEMSELVES? Welding fumes cause various health issues with symptoms ranging from flu-like symptoms to cancer. Cameron Findley looks into how to avoid welding sickness, or something more serious.

HOW MUCH DOES it cost you when your technicians are tucked up in bed instead of being productive in the workshop? How can this be avoided? Wear a respirator, of course.

Metal fume fever, also known as welding sickness, is a flu-like attack that can come from the inhalation of metal fumes from welding and related processes.

The health hazard can be harmful and if not properly managed, can lead to both short and long-term illnesses and health issues.

In a 2012 study, it was found that most symptoms occurred on a Monday or Tuesday with 45 per cent of cases included in the study reporting symptom manifestation on those days. Commonly referred to as Monday morning fever, this phenomenon suggests that welders build up a resistance over the course of a working week to welding fumes but lose that resistance over the weekend.

While symptoms are commonly resolved in a few days, it is important for business owners and managers to ensure that employees are well trained in safety measures around welding to minimise the risk of exposure to welding fumes.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS? Symptoms commonly appear several hours after exposure and can include a range of flu-like symptoms: •Fevers •Chills •Nausea •Sore throat •Muscle aches •Chest soreness •Headaches According to BOC gas, the metal oxides usually associated with metal fume fever are zinc and copper. In welding, it is working with copper alloys and some painted and galvanised components where these problems are most likely to occur. Metal fume fever can go undiagnosed because of the similarity of symptoms to flu-like illnesses and the short-lived nature of such symptoms.

WELDING FUMES AND CANCER In early 2017, welding fume was reclassified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC), meaning that there is a direct relationship between inhaling welding fume and contracting cancer. Australian www.paintandpanel.com.au

Welding Supplies (AWS) have produced a whitepaper on this subject which you will find on the Paint and Panel website or at www.awsi.com.au.

Based on the typical respiratory rate of 20 litres of air per minute or 2,300 m3 of air per year, a welder operating within the workplace exposure standards for general welding fume (5mg/m3) in Australia, wearing no respiratory protection can inhale up to 11 grams of carconogenic welding fume per year.

There is a significant disparity between workplace exposure limits for welding fume around the world and in this respect, Australia, is far behind other countries like Germany and the Netherlands.

The employer has the primary responsibility to ensure that welders, as far as reasonably practicable, are not exposed to health and safety risks while performing their job. In 2014, in an Australian first, a Victorian county court ruled that a Melbourne man's deadly lung cancer was linked to toxic welding fumes and that working as a welder had raised his risk of contracting lung cancer. This has set a precedent for future compensation claims.

Safe Work Australia says that the person conducting the business has a duty to ensure that welders are not exposed to risks to their health and safety under their WHS requirements.

Wearing protective equipment like air respirators as well as welding masks is the ideal way to prevent fume fever or welding-related cancer. If you are working on mixed materials or carbon fibre you must use both fume and dust extraction.

Carbon fibre particles are highly toxic while working on mixed material can offer a high risk of explosion if dust particles aren't dealt with appropriately.

GIVE LACES THE BOOT Safe Work Australia, states that foot protection worn by welders should be "non-slip, heat and fire resistant and that welders should avoid using foot protection that has the potential to capture hot sparks and metal debris", using laces as an example of what not to wear. With laces molten metal, sparks and hot debris are collected in a focused capture point. The burn risk to the welder is significantly increased especially if the boots worn are not heat or fire resistant.

May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 57

CARBON FIBRE

UNRAVELLING CARBON FIBRE Formerly limited to motoring exotica, carbon fibre is weaving its way into the mainstream. I-CAR’s Mark Czvitkovits looks at the differnt types you might encounter. is critical in ensuring the correct strength is restored to any repaired CARBON FIBRE IS extremely strong and light, component. As carbon fibre is so strong, it has a tendency to crack hence the extensive use in exotic and perforand puncture, rather than bend when damaged. When a repair mance vehicles internationally and the emergence consideration choice is needed, the first question is will the repair of the material in affordable cars. When it comes be visible due to an open weave pattern or is it hidden beneath to identifying if the material is carbon fibre or paint or other fixtures? If the part is structural, then a full another composite, the OEM will provide the assessment of the damage will be required. Measuring, inspecting information in the body repair manuals available.

Mark Czvitkovits and blueprinting of the complete process to ensure that no other There are a number of variations in carbon damage is present. This will be required to ensure that no further fibre filaments and this rates directly to the strength of the fibres. damage has transferred into other areas of the structure.

Some may have Kevlar intertwined, producing a slightly greenish tinge to the exposed mat so it is important to ensure the correct repair material and resins are SANDWICHES used. As well as having other material intertwined, Some repairs may have a composite “Understanding and the carbon fibre may be chopped fibres, rather than sandwich component in them and recognising the cloth used a woven mat. this makes the component very is critical in ensuring the The chopped fibre is generally used in panels that stiff and light. It is made by can be painted and the typical woven mat material sandwiching a core material in correct strength is restored is left for exposed surfaces, giving that unique clear between the layers of carbon cloth to any repaired coat woven finish. Chopped carbon fibre tends to be to produce forms and shapes component.” not as strong as the woven style and tends to weigh within the carbon structure. When more. It is the less expensive to produce and is sandwich core materials are used, therefore ideal for painted cosmetic components. the result makes the part 3.5 times Woven carbon fibre is available in many different configurations, stronger when the core is twice the thickness of the composite including unidirectional weave that is very strong in the direction of while adding very little weight. When the core material is increased the weave but weak in the direction perpendicular to the fibres. to four times the thickness, the part becomes 37 times stronger.

Biaxial cloth has fibres running perpendicular to each other and are These sandwich component materials can be made from a strong in these directions of weave. Triaxial weave has fibres that wide variety of materials including balsa wood, honeycomb, run at 0, 45 and -45° to each other and this fibre is used where foam or aluminium. If a honeycomb core is used, the twisting of the part is a concern. The fibres ensure rigidity and replacement core material needs to have the same direction strength of the component. Quadaxial cloth is the least common but orientation to ensure consistency of structural integrity. is the strongest of all fibres and Carbon fibre can be used to make very complex designs and is used where strength is shapes that provide superior strength across all axis while required at all axis. adding very little weight. The cost at this stage may be Understanding and prohibitive but as every day passes, new technologies are being recognising the cloth used discovered to reduce that cost. One company in Australia, Carbon Revolution, is leading the world in carbon fibre manufacturing technology and are providing OEM components for Ford and Ferrari from Australia.

The advent of carbon fibre will come as the manufacturing costs are reduced. If a vehicle comes into your workshop, it will be vital to understand the type of repair, materials and ABOVE: Layering carbon fibre for equipment required to perform a complete and safe repair. repair. Left: Carbon I-CAR will be delivering its carbon fibre repair course (CFR01) fibre and composite throughout the year. Details at www.i-car.com.au sandwich insert.

58 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

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PAINT TECHNOLOGY

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS Your spray booth is there to make money for your business and ensuring it is utilised to the fullest dramatically impacts profitability, says John Hristias, PPG business support manager Asia Pacific.

WHAT IS THE average doors-open-to-doors-open cycle-time of your booth? That is the average time from opening the doors to put a job in, until they are opened again to take the completed job out. It is a figure you definitely need to know but, as an example, let us say it is 120 minutes. This equals four jobs in an eight-hour day and, at an average repair cost of $2000, it comes to almost $2 million per year. Now, what if you were able to get just one more job per day through the booth? Given it would generate an extra turnover of almost $500,000 for your business, it is something well worth looking into. What's more, it is absolutely achievable with the right mix of equipment, products and processes in place.

SHAVING MINUTES EQUALS MORE PROFIT While making a change that cuts a few minutes off each job cycle might not seem like much, it really adds up over a year. For example, some repairers will use a cheap clearcoat to try to save money but if it requires two or three coats and a traditional cure time, it is potentially costing the business hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in lost productivity. Switching to a modern clearcoat, such as PPG's D8112 high performance clearcoat or LVC 104 EnviroFLOW clearcoat, lets you take advantage of a single visit mode – a 'light dust' coat, immediately followed by a 'wet' coat and it is ready to bake.

Combined with an express cure time, this can slash almost 30 minutes from your doors-open-to-doors-open cycle time.

Another positive product change is wet-on-wet (WOW) primer.

Some people argue that it takes longer because it has to flashoff but using a modern WOW primer, such as PPG's top-selling DP4000 or EnviroLOCK, means you get topcoat coverage quicker 60 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

which reduces overall application time, as well as material usage.

A combination of equipment and product can also make an enormous difference to profitability in the long term. For example, investing in the latest UV and Infrared (IR) technology takes a relatively small outlay but can return big dividends. For the right sized job, a product like UV8080 from PPG's OneChoice universal ancillary brand can have the job primed and UV cured in as little as three minutes and the aerosol can makes for quick application and no clean up afterwards. On other jobs, the combination of IR technology and a high build primer, such as PPG's D8046 2K high build primer, is a similar way to slash cycle-time. The point is, rather than simply looking at the upfront cost of products and equipment, you need to calculate what each will add to your business' bottom line.

There are a variety of other equipment upgrades you can make, including in-booth air movement systems (such as Lowbake's RADS), through to new booths and even gas infrared systems.

However, before making large investments, it is crucial to ensure your current booth is running at full capacity. To do this, you need the right products, investment in the right equipment and training to give your staff the right skillset. Around the country, repairers are signing up to 'average repair cost' models with work providers and, for many, trying to hit those targets is daunting.

However, PPG knows it is possible because it is already helping progressive repairers to achieve it. With PPG's Business Support team, MVP team and training network, these are all the backup you need to get on top of doors-open-to-doors-open cycle-time and ensure your business succeeds.

If you are not processing at least five jobs per day, per booth, contact your PPG's Customer Service Hotline 13 24 24. www.paintandpanel.com.au

PAINT TECHNOLOGY

SPIES HECKER LAUNCHES NEW CLEAR COAT TINT RANGE Spies Hecker has responded to the automotive industry's love of tinted clears with the launch of the 100ml Permasolid Clear Coat Colour Additives for Australia and New Zealand.

From Mazda 41V Soul Red to Ford 9SSE Candy Red or Peugeot LKR Rouge Babylone, the Permasolid Clear Coat Colour Additives are often used in small quantities when it comes to repairing tinted 2K High Solids Clear Coats.

The packaging size for the colour additives, which contains 100ml of the additive with twist-off caps, is perfect for the needs of many bodyshops.

"The additive's small container size means that all of the product is used with no residual leftovers, this translates into a reduction in material waste disposal and its associated costs," Spies Hecker product and colour manager ANZ John Nettleton said.

The smaller packaging makes the Permasolid Clear Coat Colour Additive easier to dose. A further advantage is that the Permasolid Clear Coat Colour Additives no longer needs to be stored and stirred on the mixing machine. A simple shake of the bottle just before dosing is all it takes.

The additives can be used in almost all Spies Hecker clear coats.

"Each colour formula for vehicles with tinted clears contains a formula for the effect colour, as well as a formula for the clear coat.

Matching colours is quick and easy with Spies Hecker's Phoenix software and the online formula search tool," Nettleton said.

Small packaging, simple dosing – the small containers ensure clear coat colour additives reach refinishers in the most efficient way possible to produce the right refinish solution.

AMAZING AUTOWAVE PERFORMANCE Sikkens launched Autowave 2.0 back in 2016 and since then it has set a benchmark for waterborne basecoat performance while simultaneously raising the bar for quality, efficiency and sustainability.

The Autowave 2.0 toner range delivers outstanding OEM colour matching of any solid, metallic and pearl effects with the confidence to get it right first time.

For painters, the unparalleled user-friendliness of Autowave 2.0 means they'll have more confidence in achieving top results while meeting repair times. The payoff for bodyshops, especially in these demanding times, is increased profitability and customer satisfaction to help them stay competitive.

Consistent and reproducible repairs are assured with easier mixing and tinting, excellent coverage, a wide application window and shorter flash-off times. Extended pot life and reduced processing lower repair costs, raises productivity and increases your profit.

Katia Gridina of AkzoNobel said, "Blending with Autowave 2.0 is simple and can be achieved without the use of special additives, a promise most of our competitors cannot make. A very even, uniform and matt appearance, directly from the spray gun, gives complete confidence in the result before applying the clearcoat. What you see is what you get.

"Increased efficiency is of vital importance to our body shop customers. Ask us about integrating the Sikkens Autowave 2.0 system into your bodyshop."

For more information, contact Katia Gridina on 03 9644 1711 or email ekaterina.gridina@akzonobel.com. www.paintandpanel.com.au

May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 61

PAINT TECHNOLOGY

BE WELL ADJUSTED WITH PAINTMANAGER XI

You can't have too many colour tools which is why PPG has taken the opportunity to add a handy new ‘Adjust’ function to its next-gen PaintManager XI colour identification, mixing and management software. Thanks to the precision of PPG’s five-angle spectrophotometer tools and the accuracy and sheer size of PPG’s massive colour database, the vast majority of colour formulation retrievals are quick and very straightforward. However, on rare occasions, an odd colour or a new ‘variant’ or ‘special’ of a particular colour has the potential to throw a spanner in the works and this is where the ‘Adjust’ function offers the solution.

After taking the spectrophotometer reading and downloading it to PaintManager XI, the Adjust feature becomes available when the ‘match rating’ is higher than desired – when a solid colour is 5 or higher or when a non-solid colour is 10 or higher. Rather than have to begin manually colour matching, the operator can simply click on the ‘Action’ tool and select the ‘Adjust’ function from the dropdown menu. Using some very clever behind the scenes software, the Adjust function will modify the tinter composition of the particular colour formulation (based on the vehicle colour code that has been entered) with the aim of achieving a better match. Crucially, the Adjust function does not introduce any additional tinters to the formulation which could then adversely affect the matching process.

On screen, the ‘Original’ formula can be displayed alongside the ‘Adjusted’ formula making it easy for the operator to see exactly what alterations have been made. At this point, the adjusted colour can be mixed, applied to a spray-out card and checked against the job to ensure the technician is happy with the match before proceeding. For added convenience, there is also the option to add the adjusted colour (along with the spectro reading of that colour) to the PaintManager XI system as a ‘custom’ formula so that it can be easily accessed again if the same or similar colour arrives in the paint shop.

The Adjust function is currently being rolled out and will automatically be added for PaintManager XI users who have their system connected to the Internet and are set up for automatic updates.

For more information about PaintManager XI, PPG Access Hotline on: 1800 627 798.

DEBEER AIR DRY CLEAR COAT In a constantly changing market where body shop efficiency is a key factor for success, you don't want to be wasting time waiting for your clear coat to dry.

DeBeer Refinish 1-404 Air Dry Clear is a fast finishing, high quality clear coat with revolutionary features enabling body shops to achieve faster turnaround times.

DeBeer Refinish 1-404 Air Dry Clear requires no flash off between wet-onwet coats allowing for fast, easy application. It is dust-free in 10 minutes and is air dry to nib and polish within 30 minutes. These features save body shops time and energy and increase work throughput.

62 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

• Dust free in 10 minutes • Air-Dry to nib and polish 30 minutes • Saves time and energy • Fast, easy application • Two full wet-on-wet coats with no flash-off time between coats • Two coats achieve 46-56μm • Spray up to three panels in the same application • Two hardeners- Standard and Slow • Excellent pot life, one hour at 25°C • Superior gloss and flow • Easy to polish, if required • Mix Ratio: 4:1 + 0-5 per cent Thinner For more information, contact DeBeer Refinish on (02) 4368 4054 or visit www.debeer.com.au.

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PAINT TECHNOLOGY

CROMAX ACCELERATOR SPEEDS UP AIR-DRYING Cromax from Axalta Coating Systems has developed a new accelerator that helps Cromax High Productive Surfacers dry faster at ambient temperatures.

High Productive Accelerator AZ1050 changes the drying properties of High Productive Surfacer 1051R (white) and High Productive Surfacer 1057R (black) to cut air-drying times from 60 minutes to 30 minutes at 20°C, which is especially effective during the cooler months of the year.

"It's important to us to support our refinishers' aim of increased throughput and productivity, and the introduction of a dedicated High Productive Accelerator for our High Productive Surfacers certainly does just that," said Jim Iliopoulos, Axalta's product and technical manager for Australia and New Zealand.

"High Productive Accelerator AZ1050 is mixed with the High Productive Surfacers, for up to three coats, wet-on-wet with no flash-off times. This eliminates between 10 and 20 minutes of unproductive flash-off time, significantly improves the speed of overall application and drying, and makes the refinish process more efficient and economical, while also helping to save energy."

The High Productive Surfacer is mixed with the VHS Fast Activator XK203 and High Productive Accelerator AZ1050 in a ratio of 5:1:2. This accelerated primer system has excellent vertical stability.

High Productive Surfacer 1051R (white) and High Productive Surfacer 1057R (black) are part of the ValueShade concept, which helps to deliver the optimal undercoat for every topcoat colour. Different shades of grey are matched to different topcoat colours, delivering a combination that requires less paint. All Cromax colour retrieval tools specify the right ValueShade for every topcoat, which can minimise preparation time, increase colour hiding, decrease paint consumption and help to reap improved productivity and profitability.

GLASURIT 923-198 AIR DRY CLEAR

DEBEER’S FINEST DeBeer Refinish has expanded its colour range with the introduction of a new ultra fine metallic toner for both DeBeer Refinish WaterBase 900+ Series and BeroBase 500 Series.

The new toners have been developed with extremely fine metallic particles that are up to 30% smaller than the DeBeer Refinish 913VF Very Fine Metallic toner. These finer metallic particles allow the user to formulate newer car colours that require a highly uniform, chrome-like finish. The expanded colour capabilities for both the DeBeer Refinish 500 Series and 900+ Series mean previously difficult to achieve colours are now easy to achieve.

New formulations and existing formulas that have been improved with the Ultrafine Metallic toner will be available in ICRIS. More information visit: www.debeer.com.au www.paintandpanel.com.au

Efficiency in the paint room is becoming more important and Glasurit says it has the perfect solution – 923-198 Air Dry Clear.

The Glasurit 923-198 Air Dry Clear significantly reduces process times and energy costs. It eliminates the baking process in the repair process for clears, providing benefits with process times (especially for body shops with a combined spray booth) and increased throughput and energy savings.

Glasurit offers one of the fastest refinishing processes available on the market.

The new clearcoat needs no flash-off time and provides an excellent finish after only a short drying period in the oven.

The drying time is only 10 minutes at 60°C object temperature without adding any additive. 923-198 shows excellent drying performance at even 22°C. May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 63

PRODUCTS

SAGOLA LIMITED EDITION 4600 SCRAMBLER SPRAY GUN Axalta has released the Sagola Limited Edition 4600 Scrambler spray gun.

Based on the new Xtreme model, the gun is lightweight and exceptionally well balanced, providing comfort and ease of use when painting.

“The 4600 Scrambler has a new centre of gravity, making it amazingly comfortable for both small and large hands,” explains Axalta national training manager Paul Polverino.

The stylish brown gun comes with two set ups, a 1.3 DVR aqua nozzle for use with

waterborne paints or a 1.3 DVR clear nozzle for use with clear coats.

"The new trigger design seen in the 4600 carries through in this limited edition Scrambler, reducing fatigue while still delivering perfect paint uniformity.

"As usual, the limited edition Sagola 4600 Scrambler has no gaskets or o-rings due to the extreme quality and engineering tolerances used during production," said Polverino.

More information at: www.axalta.com.au/ sagola or call Axalta on: 1800 292 582.

PROTECTION FROM WELD GUARD

SMALL SIZE, BIG BENEFIT

Protect yourself from welding arc and grinding sparks with the BOC Weld Guard high impact auto-darkening welding helmet with grinding mode.

This comfortable, lightweight helmet is ideal for MMA, MIG/MAG, and TIG welding. With a two-year conditional warranty, the helmet has a variable shade filter lens (shade 9-13) that rapidly adjusts the shade from light to dark within three milliseconds. It also allows magnifying lenses to be fitted, as an optional extra, for short-sighted welders. It is certified and manufactured to AS/NZS1337.1 2010 & AS/NZS 1338.1 Available online for $126.00 at: www.boc.com.au or call: 131 262.

Based on flap disc technology, Norton mini-flap discs are an excellent choice for cleaning flanges prior to spot welding on replacement panels, and finishing of spot welds prior to primer. The Speed-Lok quick change fixing system makes for fast and easy disc changes allowing you to get the job done fast with less downtime.

Available with Blaze premium ceramic and Bluefire premium zirconia grains, these lightweight plastic backed 50mm and 75mm discs absorb vibration, are ergonomically friendly and ideal for working on small, difficult to access areas.

Blaze's ceramic gain with supersize grinding aid provides high stock removal with a cool, noticeably faster cut, ideal especially where heat sensitive materials are used. Bluefire discs feature a semi-openkote design to help resist loading when used on aluminium.

Norton mini-flap discs are available in 40, 60 and 80 grits allowing you to complete a wide range of tasks from stock removal to finishing. More information at: www.saint-gobain.com.au.

64 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

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PRODUCTS

VORTEX RAPID BLEND Norton Vortex Rapid Blend discs are a new range of surface conditioning discs.

These discs can grind on all three sides (top, bottom and edge), making the new Norton product extremely versatile. The three grinding dimensions make Vortex Rapid Blend suited to a wide range of applications.

The Vortex Rapid Blend discs are designed for deburing and edge grinding on titanium, nickel alloys, stainless steel, mild steel and aluminium.

This disc can also be used for removing sanding marks and other surface defects.

In a single grinding operation, Vortex Rapid Blend can remove light welds and produce a smooth semi-polished surface ready for the next stage in the repair process. This unique feature saves time, money and turns three processes into one; completing coarse, medium and fine sanding applications. Vortex Rapid Blend performs like a conventional coarse disc but provides a much finer finish.

The discs are constructed from multiple layers of nylon fibres that have been coated with a patented abrasive with a special resin bond. The design makes the discs extremely resistant and can last from three to eight times longer than conventional surface conditioning discs. The three dimensional disc can grind on all three sides making it an ideal product for tight spaces.

Vortex Rapid Blend is available in 115mm and 125mm depressed centre discs for angle grinders and 50mm and 76mm Speed-Lok quick change ensuring quick and easy disc changing on pneumatic or electric machines for use in tight spaces.

More information at: www.saint-gobain.com.au.

OPEN AND SHUT CASE The SATA Gun Case is perfect for protecting your valuable SATA assets. In line with SATA’s German engineered quality, it is made from sturdy, durable but lightweight aluminium outer construction which presents a professional appearance.

Inside, it is a foam lined safe haven which can snuggly fit five spray guns. In addition, there are foam cut-out spaces to store items like extra nozzle sets, cleaning equipment, SATA adam 2 units or spare parts.

There is also more room around the outside to store items such as a couple of non-disposable spray cups or a selection of SATA RPS cups. As well as safeguarding your spray guns from bumps and scratches, the SATA Gun Case is also lockable.

For a limited time, when you purchase Kit 1 or Kit 2 from a participating distributor (see below), you will receive your own SATA Gun Case for free. Purchase Kit 3 and you can have it for just half price.

Following the promotion, the SATA Gun Case will be available to order and purchase as an ongoing SATA product.

• K IT 1 – Two SATAjet 5000 B spray guns One SATA Gun Case FREE • K IT 2 – Two SATAjet 1500 B spray guns One SATAjet 100 B Series Primer Gun One SATA adam 2 digital air micrometer Two SATA adam 2 docks One SATA Gun Case FREE • K IT 3 – Two SATAjet 1500 B spray guns One SATAjet 100 B Series Primer Gun One SATA Gun Case at half price

www.paintandpanel.com.au

NAVITEK DIGITAL HELMET The Navitek 5-8/9-13+G visor digital is a welding helmet with a respiratory system including assisted ventilation. 2 in 1, this helmet protects eyes from IR/ UV when welding and protects the operator's respiration.

• Extra-large field of vision • 160° side view • Adjustable front face • High sensitivity due to 4 sensors • Twin setting range 5-8/9-13 • Digital display, tactile adjustment • Transparent visor for grinding • Lightweight : 621 g More information: www.sape.com.au

CARSYSTEM UV A-LED The Carsystem UV Lamp is a mobile UV lamp that is ideal for drying UV Primer and Clear Coat. The integrated lithium ion battery with an operating life of up to 4.5 hours allows flexibility in use.

The UV lights can be used individually and mounted with a magnet, or on a tripod with a 180° rotatable base to get it in perfect position directly above or in front of the repair area.

More information from SAPE on: (02) 9772 9000.

May / June 2018 PAINT&PANEL 65

FENDER BENDER

RENAULT’S NEW TAKE ON GO Renault has revealed its new EZ-GO concept car at the Geneva motor show but this time, it comes without a wheel.

This autonomous vehicle has a single large front opening for entry and a U-shaped seating layout for six people powered by an electric motor.

The vehicle is expected to be released by 2022 and comes as part of Renault's "drive the future" strategic plan.

HAMSTERPROOFING

SUV CONQUERS TIANMEN ROAD SUVS ARE NOT meant to outperform supercars but the Range Rover Sport SVR did just that when it smashed the time record for the famous Tianmen road. The road snakes along with 99 turns along its 11.3km length in the northwestern part of the Hunan province in China.

This standard production vehicle set a new unofficial record of 9:51 minutes for the 11.3km ascent, besting the previous record of 10:31

66 PAINT&PANEL May / June 2018

minutes set by a Ferrari 458 Italia supercar in 2016.

The car was driven by Le Mans 2017 class winner Ho-Pin Tung who said keeping focus for that the tough was difficult.

"I am used to the high speeds of racing but this was even more demanding.

"Maintaining concentration was the biggest challenge as the road twists and turns constantly, with huge drop-offs to the side."

RIMAC HAVE TAKEN steps to make their new C_ Two model "Richard Hammond-proof" after the Grand Tour presenter was involved in a crash with the company's Concept One model last year.

At the reveal of its new hypercar, Rimac announced that it had added a small fire extinguisher in the vehicle that is held in place by a leather strap.

The leather strap reads "In case of hill climb, extinguish fire".

When asked about the joke, Hammond – nicknamed the hamster – responded, "I'm delighted, I've always wanted to have a real influence in car design. And now I have".

Hammond was behind the wheel of a Concept One model that careened down a Swiss mountainside and burst into flames during the filming of a segment but luckily was able to exit the car and avoided serious injuries.

The all-electric C_Two boasts 1,900 horsepower and accelerates from 0-60 miles per hour in 1.8 seconds making it one of the most powerful cars in the world.

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RPS Benefits

#03 SATA®RPS™ – THE ORIGINAL BENDABLE CLEAN SAFE CUP SYSTEM

Download the SATA Loyalty App in the App Store or Google Play Store to collect points and convert them into attractive rewards for your bodyshop.

www.sata.com/loyalty Occasionally during the paint process the material cup may accidentally knock into the vehicle or panel stand.

Due to the robust threaded connection between the cup and the lid, any chance of the cup becoming detached is avoided, as is the chance to spill paint.

For more information, please watch our product video at www.sata.com/rps

Contact PPG’s customer service team to find your nearest SATA distributor.

PPG Australia PPG New Zealand McNaughton Road 5 Vestey Drive PPG Industries Australia Pty Ltd Customer Service Toll Free Clayton South, VIC,products)Mount0800 Wellington, (Authorised Importer of SATA 320 320 (NZ)1060 13 24 24 Locked Bag 888 (AUST) 3168, Australia Auckland, New Zealand Clayton South VIC 3169 Australia Email: Sata.Australia@ppg.com 13 24 24 0800Website: 320 320 www.sata.com