PPG Refinisher Vol60 Issue 1 2018

collector´s diamond jubilee issue

THE V O L U M E

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Rise of the Trident

ALSO INSIDE: DON’T MISS YOUR 32 PAGE SOUVENIR RETRO REFINISHER INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• AN ELECTRIC BLOCKING REVOLUTION • EREBUS GOES WITH ENVIROBASE® • COMMUNICATION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME

contents APRIL2018

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SC A N TO RE A D T HE REFINISHER ONLINE

60 VOLUME

THE

REFINISHER

ISSUE 1

60th Anniversary special Editor-In-Chief Paul Galea

In 2018, The Refinisher celebrates an extraordinary milestone – 60 consecutive years in print.

Turn to our special feature article and join us for a trip down memory lane.

Editorial Co-ordinator Rachael Siotas Editor John M Stanley Creative Director Dean Parrott Published for and on behalf of PPG Industries Pty Limited by

Vol 1 No1

1959 Kisschasey Creative Pty Ltd Unit 113, 91 Murphy St. Richmond, Victoria, 3121 Telephone (03) 9421 3311

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News

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SATA goes solo

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New South Wales 10 Peter Brock Drive, Eastern Creek, 2766 Telephone (02) 9854 6600

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Internal conflict The simple way to deal with internal surface variations

Western Australia 4 Modal Crescent, Canning Vale, 6155 Telephone (08) 9256 3920

PPG Logo, Delfleet, Deltron, Envirobase, Global Refinish System, Harlequin, PaintManager, Prizmatique, Radiance, RapidMatch, Startline and Vibrance Collection are registered trademarks and Bringing innovation to the surface, Crystallance and RapidMatch are trademarks of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.

Trident true Driven by unique Italian style and sophistication, Maserati sales are booming across the globe and a strong partnership with PPG is giving the brand 360° support

Queensland 18 Breene Place, Morningside, 4170 Telephone (07) 3823 8000

Tasmania PO Box 406, Kings Meadows, 7249 Telephone 0412 254 807

Family Heirloom A 30 year, three generation, family success story

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Victoria 104-106 Woodlands Drive, Braeside, 3195 Telephone (03) 8586 0000

South Australia 1E Oldsmobile Terrace, Dudley Park, 5008 Telephone (08) 8346 6870

2018

A big win for New Zealand SATA consumers

Australia Head Office Locked Bag 888, Clayton South, Victoria 3169.

McNaughton Road, Clayton, Victoria, Australia, 3168 Telephone: 13 24 24 www.ppgrefinish.com.au New Zealand Head Office 5 Vestey Drive, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand.

Toll Free Telephone: 0800 320 320

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Vol 60 No1

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Old dog – new tricks An epic charity restoration project

SATA and SATAjet are registered trademarks of SATA GmbH & Co. KG. Third-party trademarks referenced in this magazine are the property of their respective owners.

The Dulux logo is used with the permission of DuluxGroup Limited

NEWS 4 REFINISHER

the Van M

ichael and Carlene Duffy (selfconfessed caravan geeks, one of The Block’s favourite couples and hosts of ‘Ready, Set, Reno’) have teamed up with

PPG architectural brand, White Knight Paints, to take a vintage Viscount ‘van from zero to hero.

The finished product, dubbed ‘Vonnie the Van’, sleeps two adults and two kids and is ready to cruise the coastline for many more years to come.

According to Michael, “Vintage ‘vans can be picked up quite cheaply but most are in dire need of renovation, refurbishment and modernisation which is where White Knight comes to the rescue.

Vonnie the 'Van had good bones but

needed a lot of work.” Carlene added, “We applied all our home renovation skills to Vonnie’s makeover which White Knight helped make simple and cost effective –

Making the world a brighter, more colourful place for 135 years P

PG’s success story began in 1883, when John Pitcairn and Captain John B. Ford formed the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company with the initial aim of producing America’s first marketable plate glass.

135 years of growth and transformation has seen it expand its footprint across the planet. Today, PPG is one of the world's largest global paints, coatings and specialty materials suppliers with a diverse range including protective and decorative paints, aircraft cockpit and cabin windows, sealants, adhesives, metal pre-treatment products and specialty products. PPG products are part of day-to-day life, from cars, trucks and motorcycles to aircraft, ships, homes,

commercial structures and everyday items, such as sports shoes, whitegoods, tennis rackets and beverage containers.

Despite operating on a global scale, in over 70 countries, PPG chooses to manufacture locally with more than 150 manufacturing sites worldwide, including Australia and New Zealand. As it takes a moment to reflect on 135 years of history, the global PPG team of approximately 46,000 employees continues to focus on providing customers with superior products and service. This commitment to excellence is aimed at ensuring that PPG is well positioned for the next R 135 years and beyond!

Free online airbrush magazine

go to . . . www.airvolution.com.au

It’s all about the Australian and New Zealand airbrush community, people, events and competitions.

Airvolu tion •

The ma

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airbrus

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• Stud ent inter views • ush Vent uri news • Meet •

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Mr Tony Vowles • Cert • II in Airbr ushin terly Airbr g• ush comp etition •

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NEWS 5 REFINISHER

DRIVETHROUGH

with Paul Galea

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from upcycling old furniture with Squirts, modernising the benches and cupboards with Laminate Paint and bringing her exterior and chassis back to life with Rust Guard.”

You can check out each step of the ‘Vonnie the Van’ renovation on the White Knight YouTube Channel. For more DIY products and projects, check out www.whiteknightpaints.com.au or White Knight Paints Facebook site. R

Get on the case H

ow do you safeguard your valuable SATA assets when not being used or when transporting them? Thanks to the latest ‘SATA gun case’ promotional offer, there is a practical and very classy solution.

For a limited time, purchasing Kit 1 or Kit 2

SATA Gun Case promotion KIT 1 – Two SATAjet 5000 B spray guns One SATA Gun Case FREE KIT 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 KIT 3 – Two SATAjet 1500 B spray guns One SATAjet 100 B Series Primer Gun One SATA Gun Case at HALF PRICE

from a participating distributor will get you a SATA gun case for free, while purchasing Kit 3 means you get one for just half price.

Made from durable, lightweight aluminium construction, the SATA Gun Case presents a very professional exterior appearance, while inside it is a foam lined safe haven with slots to neatly fit five spray guns.

There are also convenient extra spaces to store items such as nozzle sets, cleaning equipment, SATA adam 2 units or spare parts, along with more room around the outside for, say, a couple of nondisposable spray cups or a selection of SATA RPS Cups. As well as safeguarding your precious spray guns, the SATA Gun Case is also lockable so you can decide who has access.

The promotion is set to run for a limited time and, once complete, the SATA Gun Case will be available to order and purchase as an ongoing R SATA product.

elcome to this milestone edition where we celebrate this magazine’s 60th year in production, as well as PPG’s 135 years in operation. Our production team has had a fascinating time going back through the archives of The Refinisher. We hope you enjoy the 60th Anniversary article, along with the very cool souvenir booklet inside which contains a selection of reprinted articles from between 1966 and 1973.

With articles looking at the development of electric cars, workshop safety, the importance of a good colour match, getting your job costings right, keeping your spray gun clean and new product innovations, you could be forgiven for thinking they actually came from more recent issues rather than from more than 40 years ago. Whilst we live in an ever-changing world, it seems some things remain the same.

In this latest issue, The Refinisher carries on the tradition. While there is no ‘Joe the slob’ anywhere in sight, you will find plenty of informative articles, such as a look at the development of autonomous vehicles, Talking Training which explains how to carry out efficient internal repairs and the MVP team giving tips on better communication. We also have another of our regular ‘Feature Panel Shop’ articles which show that one thing that has progressed significantly is the sophistication, efficiency and presentation in today’s body shops. It is a pleasure to be able to profile some of the best shops across Australia and New Zealand and they are a real credit to their owners. R

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES 6 REFINISHER

An autonomous

future

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AUTOMATED DRIVING TECHNOLOGY

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o one has a crystal ball to know exactly when but there is no doubt that automated driving technology is coming sooner rather than later. Indeed, lower levels of autonomy are already here and may even be fitted to the car you drive now – see the ‘Six levels of driving automation’ right. As with past transport revolutions, such as the arrival of trains, cars and aeroplanes, experts believe the world is on the cusp of another period of immense advancement in transportation.

Whether you are excited about this upheaval or not, the fact is it is set to bring a range of outstanding benefits for individuals and the community as a whole.

Zero road toll If there is one key factor behind the push for autonomous technology it is the opportunity to reduce or even eliminate road accidents.

Today, it is estimated that 93 percent of traffic accidents are due to human error and each year it takes an enormous toll, not just in human lives but also in economic cost to the health system and the community in general. Although it probably won’t totally eradicate fender bender type accidents, fully autonomous vehicles are promising to usher in an extraordinary ability to swiftly and comfortably get passengers to their destination in a level of safety that today’s commuters can only dream of.

It may not happen overnight but the self-driving vehicle

revolution is gathering pace and, as it does, it is set to

dramatically alter the future of mobility for everyone.

Mobility for all For many members of society, one of the key gifts that autonomous technology is set to deliver is simply mobility. With current technology, groups such as the elderly, people with a disability and those who are physically challenged, often find it extremely difficult to find convenient, cost effective transportation. The introduction of fully autonomous vehicles will level the playing field by providing everyone with the ability to easily get around.

Heavy transport One of the first areas of change will be in how goods and services are shipped.

For example, autonomous heavy vehicles will not require a human driver who would naturally become tired after long hours.

As a result, they will not only be safer but can virtually run 24/7. Indeed, the first applications are already being seen in the mining sector and heavy road transport.

For example, Peloton is an automated

vehicle technology company looking to develop solutions to the two biggest challenges facing the trucking industry – accidents and fuel usage. Two or more trucks are connected using direct Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communications to create what is called ‘platooning’. By using various sensor technologies, the trucks are electronically coupled allowing the rear truck to react immediately to the actions of the front truck so the whole platoon accelerates and brakes together. By cooperating in this way, trucks can operate at closer distances where they can enjoy the benefits of increased fuel efficiency. Each driver chooses when to join or leave a platoon and always retains primary control of their truck and platooning only occurs when and where it is safe.

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES 7 REFINISHER

Six

levels of driving automation

0 No automation: A human driver controls all dynamic driving tasks, although automated systems may issue warnings and may momentarily intervene but has no sustained vehicle control.

1 Driver assistance: Driver and automated system shares control over the vehicle. Your current vehicle may already be fitted with this technology with common examples including Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Assistance and Lane Keep Assistance. The driver must be ready to retake full control at any time.

2 Partial automation: Automated driver assistance systems takes full control of both steering and accelerating / braking using information about the driving environment. The driver must monitor the situation and be prepared to intervene at any time. Indeed, contact between hand and steering wheel is often mandatory at Level 2 in order to confirm that the driver is ready to take control.

3 Conditional automation: An automated driving system takes care of all aspects of the dynamic driving task.

Therefore, the vehicle will handle situations that call for an immediate response, such as emergency braking. The driver can safely turn their attention away from the driving tasks but must still be prepared to intervene when called upon by the vehicle to do so. In 2017, Audi’s A8 model was the first commercially available car to claim Level 3 self-driving capabilities.

4 High automation: Can be driven by a driver but no driver attention is ever required for safety. For example, the driver may safely go to sleep or leave the driver's seat. In the right circumstances and with the right infrastructure, the automated driving

system takes care of all aspects of the dynamic driving task even if a human driver does not respond appropriately to a request to intervene. Outside of these circumstances, the vehicle must be able to keep occupants safe by parking itself if the driver does not retake control.

5 Full automation: No steering wheel or human intervention is required – the automated driving system takes care of all driving tasks on any road, under all conditions. Indeed, this can happen whether a human is onboard or not. R

SATA 8 REFINISHER

SATA goes solo The appointment of PPG as the sole New Zealand importer of SATA products from January 1st 2018 is set to bring even more benefits for local users.

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hen SATA chose PPG as its 2013 global ‘Importer of the Year’ it had a lot to do with recognising the efforts of the local team in the New Zealand market. Having been the long running importer for Australia, PPG was then given dual importer status for SATA in New Zealand in 2013 and the results were outstanding.

By expanding the distribution and support network, the specialist PPG team worked hard to make SATA’s unique technology more easily accessible to a far greater number of Kiwis and, in turn, this significantly grew the German company’s profile throughout the country. After five years of strong growth, these achievements have been further recognised with PPG being appointed as sole SATA importer for New Zealand which came into effect from 1st January 2018. It is another example of the special relationship the two brands have established in this region’s market, says Kurt Way, PPG Category Manager, Associated Products.

SATA consumers are the winners “PPG has enjoyed a strong partnership with SATA in this region – firstly, as the Australian importer for well over a decade and now in New Zealand where customers are also reaping the rewards. And, with better access to SATA’s product range, whether it is spray guns, RPS Cups, hoods or filters, we are finding that more and more technicians are

seeing the advantages and making the switch to SATA technology.

As a result, we have just added another option by launching the SATAjet 1500 B SoLV spray gun. Like other SATA spray guns, it is manufactured at the company’s state-of-the-art facility, at Kornwestheim in Germany and it still comes packed with SATA technology, quality, functionality and reliability – it is just at a lower price point to cater to those who can’t quite stretch their budget to a SATAjet 5000 B or someone who wants a second or third gun to do under bonnets, touch ups, etc.”

SATA 9

REFINISHER REFINISHER

system in place which carries a good level of stock. Should a particular item of stock – a gun, hood, filters, spare parts, etc – need to be sourced from outside New Zealand, there is the option of getting products from nearby Australia or from Germany.”

Try the best – you won’t regret it “By the time you read this we will also have had our national ‘SATA Roadshow’ which was another important step. It included a SATA technical specialist and the regional sales manager from the company’s German headquarters so it was a great opportunity to meet them and get a real insight into SATA technology and exactly what it can do for you. Over the years, we have found that putting a SATA spray gun in someone’s hand and giving them the opportunity to try it is better than any advertising we could possibly do. The old saying is ‘once a SATA

user, always a SATA user’ and that message is still very strong. From the time we took on SATA in this region, all PPG team members involved in spraying – Territory Managers, Technical Demonstrators, Training Managers, etc – have used SATA equipment because it is recognised as the best. This is also great news for potential customers because it means that giving SATA a try is as simple as contacting a member of the PPG team and asking – they will be happy to help! What’s more, when you do purchase your SATA gun, the PPG team will also guide you through setting it up – air pressure, material, fan, etc – so it is ready to go and produce the very best results straight away.”

Go for the best

SATA support network

“Let’s face it, take price out of the equation and I reckon every technician would buy SATA. When it comes to weighing up what to buy, it is important to look at what you get for the money. Measured against other brands, SATA is like buying a German sports car compared to a basic mainstream hatchback. New users are often amazed at how much easier it makes life in the paint shop. Not only that, treat it well and replace wearing parts when needed and a SATA gun will give you outstanding service long after others have given up. We are privileged to have the opportunity to import the SATA brand to New Zealand and Australia and there are plenty of exciting developments to come in the future.”

“One of the key advantage of PPG being the SATA importer is the backup support the brand now has. Along with a large and extensive customer support network across the country, there is an excellent distribution

A comprehensive range of SATA® spray equipment is available from your PPG refinish distributor or Protec distributor in Australia R and New Zealand.

FEATURE PANEL SHOP 10

R Y D A L M E R E P R E S T I G E S M A S H R E PA I R S

REFINISHER

With six members of the Dandan family, spanning three generations, Rydalmere Prestige Smash Repairs has provided high quality repairs with a family touch for over 30 years.

Family heirloom

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he saying goes, ‘the family that plays together, stays together’ but the Dandan family have taken it to another level. Not only has Rydalmere Prestige Smash Repairs (the Sydney business Redwan Dandan started in 1985) become a working focal point for the family, the various members actually live within a stone’s throw of each other, says shop manager, Khaled Dandan.

“Dad learnt his trade as a panel beater in Lebanon before emigrating to Australia.

We would work with him on weekends

and after hours so when we left school we joined the business. There are now six family members who work at Rydalmere Prestige.

Dad is semi-retired, I am shop manager and then there are three of my brothers – Walid is workshop manager, Mohammad is panel beating foreman and Ahmed is paint shop foreman – plus my 16-year-old nephew, Radwan, has joined as an apprentice.

As well as that, we all live in the same street so we all go to work together and come home together. You can look out in the street and see all the kids playing together

and they can easily go to grandma’s house or one of the uncle’s houses or whatever.

Although we have our ‘moments’ at different times, we are really glad to be working together in our family business.”

However, up until a couple of years ago, Rydalmere Prestige was struggling with a problem faced by many successful collision centres – a lack of space. It became obvious that the only solution was to make a hefty investment in a new facility.

“We owned five small shops next door to each other but it only made up around 300m² and we had 15 people working there.

We definitely needed more space but finding the money to buy the property was going to be very tricky. In the end, we just had to do it and work harder to make sure we could

FEATURE PANEL SHOP 11 REFINISHER

time, we are happy with whatever mix of work comes through the door.”

Tackling these premium brand repairs has seen Rydalmere Prestige receive strong support from the PPG team. Indeed, the company has chosen to use PPG from the very start and several years ago took the opportunity to upgrade to PPG’s advance waterborne basecoat system, ENVIROBASE® High Performance. afford it. Our new premises are in the next street and give us around 1500m².

It is designed with a more modern look and feel that our customers expect and the PPG team has helped us design the workshop so it has a really nice flow. It is all about making things easier for all the guys to get the job done more efficiently.

“For example, we use PPG BusinessManager software and have installed workstations in the workshop

so that the guys can print their own job cards, check which job is next to start, etc. There is less need to go looking for instructions and that means more time on the actual job. We also put a glass wall in my office to give me a view of the workshop. It means I can see if any of the guys are in trouble and I can go and help or, if a customer calls, I can see where their car is up to.”

Prestige in the business name isn’t just for show. Over the years, Rydalmere Prestige has developed an excellent reputation which

has seen it become a ‘go-to’ repairer for premium brands, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. This had a big influence on how the workshop was set up, according to Khaled.

“We definitely geared ourselves towards prestige work, including fitting a number of straightening jigs. For example, if a late model BMW has major damage, it is worth so much the insurance company is more likely to repair it than write it off. It means we do a lot of structural repairs but, at the same

FEATURE PANEL SHOP 12

R Y D A L M E R E P R E S T I G E S M A S H R E PA I R S

Family heirloom

REFINISHER

“We switched to PPG’s Envirobase when we started repairing Bentleys and Aston Martins. It was a big shift for the painters because everything is different but we got plenty of training from PPG to help the guys.

At the end of the day, the colours are closer and more accurate and Envirobase just works better for us.

Walid is very passionate about his work in the paint shop – it has to be perfect – and PPG supports us with that. For example, when the new Mazda colours came through, George (Syder, PPG Territory Manager) came in and helped our painters work through the jobs. We also use PPG’s matt clearcoat system (D8115 Matt Clearcoat and D8117 Semi-Matt Clearcoat). It is very straightforward and we use it on jobs like Lamborghinis where the lower spoiler is matt black and cars that come matt from the factory, such as 5-Series and 6-Series BMWs.” A little innovation, along with the premium paint finish, recently helped Rydalmere Prestige secure some out-of-the-ordinary work from a major Sydney dealership.

“Sydney BMW wanted to do something a little different to help their new BMWs standout.

During a meeting with the Dealer Principal and the General Manager, we designed a ‘blackout pack’ where different parts of the car, such as the grille, mirrors, wheels, etc. were painted black.

Rather than have two models exactly the same sitting on the showroom floor, the idea was to have one with the blackout pack to give customers a choice. It worked and cars were sold quicker so we now do it on an ongoing basis. Since then, people have also seen these cars on our Facebook page and we now get private owners coming in to get the same treatment on their car!”

Despite all the experience the family has, Khaled believes you never stops learning about the industry.

“I make sure I go to the MVP seminars whenever they are on. It is great for learning new things, meeting other industry people and finding out what is going on around the industry. It gives you ideas that you might not have known about otherwise. We also regularly get together with George (Syder) and Tony (Naughton, NSW MVP Manager) to go through all the processes in the shop. For example, recently we have been working on strategies to minimise paint wastage and keep the paint room clean and tidy.”

Having established a long-term reputation for quality work and built solid relationships with a variety of high profile dealerships, from Honda and Volkswagen to BMW and Porsche, the Dandan family is very comfortable with where the business is at.

With the new Rydalmere Prestige premises

S H O P FA C T S Rydalmere Prestige Smash Repairs Owners: The Dandan family Staff: 15 PPG Product: Envirobase High Performance Territory Manager: George Syder

now humming along, Khaled says they are happy to enjoy the benefits of being an independent family-owned repairer.

“At the end of the day, we could go down the preferred repairer path and get stacks of cars each week but we feel we can make a similar profit from a much lower volume and have a lot less stress. It makes a big difference to have my brothers on the workshop floor. We can talk about different things and when one of us needs time off, like I did recently for the birth of my son, they can cover and you know things will still get done. I can see us being here forever!” R

PPG DIVERSITY 13

Valued asset Employment diversity isn’t just about gender and race. People with a disability can make excellent staff members, as Parramatta Smash Repairs found out.

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roy Guttek counts himself lucky, despite being born with Goldenhar Syndrome (a rare congenital issue involving incomplete development of the ear, nose, lips, soft palate and jaw), as well as ‘sacral agenesis’, a congenital disorder which has resulted in the last few vertebrae in his lower spine not forming. The way the 22-year-old sees it, if just a couple more vertebrae hadn’t formed he wouldn’t be able to walk and he would not have been able to complete his spray painting apprenticeship at Parramatta Smash Repairs, in Sydney.

“I had a job repairing computers while I was at school but I found I’m not the type of person to sit at a desk. I’ve always been into cars and I really enjoyed a school-based VET (Vocational Education & Training) course on painting that I did so I applied to Parramatta Smash.”

Ryan Simpson, Operations Manager at Parramatta Smash, says Troy has fitted in well and become a valued asset.

“Troy hasn’t let his limitations hold him back. He is a quick learner, a hard worker and has been a standout apprentice for us. Recently, we chose Troy to take part in the Mercedes-Benz training program, run

by PPG, because of his work ethic and we believe he is someone worth investing in. Afterwards, he brought that knowledge back to this business and share it with the other guys to help everyone move forward.”

Troy says he got a lot of support in the early days of his apprenticeship aimed at getting him painting jobs early. He would often spend time watching technicians in the booth, before beginning on small jobs and working his way up to painting complete Mercedes-Benz jobs which Parramatta Smash Repairs specialise in.

“A lot of people have helped me become the best I can be but my colleagues, Eddy and Andrew, have certainly taught me and influenced me the most.”

As a second-year apprentice, Troy resprayed his VE Commodore Ute in the same solid blue used on the VK Brock Commodore. Now a qualified tradesman, his aim is to continue to learn and concentrate on being consistent.

“I’m probably my hardest critic and I like to be the best I can be – I think it is just who I am. Life is nice at Parramatta Smash, especially with all the nice gear we have that makes it easier and faster to get jobs done.

I’m really enjoying painting and I don’t see myself doing anything else.” R

REFINISHER

MIRKA 14 REFINISHER

Unblocking productivity W

ith the launch of the company’s all new DEOS (Direct Electric Orbital Sander), MIRKA says it is time to bury any preconceived negative attitudes to electric blocking tools. Indeed, with its slim, compact size, light weight and powerful performance, it represents an absolute game changer when it comes to levelling body filler and high build primers. Not only does the MIRKA DEOS substantially cut labour time, it also significantly reduces the physical effort required to carry out this common but boring task. By incorporating all the clever features which have made the MIRKA DEROS (Direct Electric Random Orbital Sander) a market favourite and combining them with a 70mm X 198mm sanding plate, the DEOS drags the blocking process well and truly into the 21st Century, says Peter Sadler, MIRKA Business Development Manager Australia and New Zealand.

“The MIRKA Power Tools department has done it again and one of the key DEOS features is its innovative and unique electric motor technology. The 250W brushless DC motor gives it plenty of power, yet it is also very quiet and weighs an extremely light, one kilogram. Being brushless means no carbon brushes which wear over time and require replacement and this contributes to the tool’s low maintenance. In addition, the extremely compact motor design helps create a very low-profile (only 101mm high), ergonomically shaped tool that is very

Why bother manually blocking body filler or high build primer when the all new MIRKA DEOS can do

much faster while also leaving an exceptionally smooth and consistent scratch pattern which, in turn, reduces the amount of primer filler required.”

What’s more, the DEOS (together with the MIRKA DEROS) is also one of the smartest tools on the market, featuring an integrated vibration sensor and Bluetooth low energy technology. The vibration sensor makes it possible to view the current vibration level the user is being exposed to via the myMirka app. This special app has been created in response to the growing importance of health and safety in the workplace and is aimed at helping users

it dramatically faster and produce a better finish, all while reducing fatigue. comfortable to grip and easy to manoeuvre and use for long periods. For technicians, there is a huge reduction in fatigue and exposure to the potential for repetitive strain injuries. This is a beautiful tool to work with, too. There is a smooth, easy to operate lever to control the motor speed and a built-in electronic motor brake, as well as a separate on / off switch for easy and safe handling.”

“Apart from the time and energy that manual blocking consumes, another downside is the inconsistent scratch pattern it generates. In contrast, the 3mm orbit of the DEOS makes the process

Suck it up A powerful, efficient and reliable vacuum unit to help you minimise the dust devil.

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efore sanding dust gets a chance to settle in your workshop, you need a reliable and powerful vacuum unit that is going to whisk it directly from the work surface and the new MIRKA Dust Extractor 1025 ticks all the boxes. Compact, rugged and stylish, it features a 25-litre capacity

MIRKA 15

REFINISHER REFINISHER

Features and benefits: avoid harmful vibrations that may cause issues. It constantly measures vibration levels according to the ISO 5349-1:2001(E) standard and depicts the results using a coloured scale. If vibration levels exceed the normal value, the app recommends ways it can be reduced to protect the user’s health.

Over the years, more and more manual workshop tasks have been eliminated by the introduction of innovative new tools and now it is blocking’s turn. Nothing on the market compares to the DEOS. Not only does it make life much easier for technicians, its precise, vibration free handling helps them keep the repair size smaller than it would

• Powerful and quiet 250W brushless electric motor • Extremely light weight (1kg), low profile design (101mm high) be if they were working with a block or speed file. At the same time, the DEOS also delivers for collision centre owners by slashing process times, as well as reducing the repair size and the amount of primer and paint required. Like no other tool, the MIRKA DEOS accelerates the blocking process into a whole new era where the advantages are simply too good to ignore!

with MIRKA Dust and a handy auto start function which helps save time and electricity usage. Easy to manoeuvre, it also comes with a five metre power cord that provides a decent range without resorting to extension leads.

For extra versatility it is suitable for both dry and wet applications and also features a blower function for tasks such as blowing off surfaces and cleaning hard to reach areas. What’s more, an inbuilt Push & Clean filter cleaning system helps ensure better suction and a longer lifespan. Last but not least is MIRKA’s legendary reliability!

• Reduces user fatigue • 70mm X 198mm sanding plate fits existing abrasives range • Exceptionally smooth, consistent scratch pattern • Low maintenance and long lifespan.

Extractor 1025 Features: • 25 litre capacity • Push & Clean filter cleaning system • Dry and Wet application • Powerful and reliable R

FEATURE – OEM PARTNERSHIPS REFINISHER

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Trident true

A resurgent Maserati is posting record sales as consumers buy into the brand’s rich heritage supported by exquisite style, effortless performance and elegant PPG finishes.

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mpeccable style is something the Italians seem to do with effortless ease and it is not just with fashion. As a crucible of early motor sport and vehicle development, an array of well-known Italian brands have also made their mark over the years by producing some of the most beautiful and desirable cars ever to grace the bitumen. One of those legendary names is Maserati – a company which has endured a rollercoaster ride for over 100 years and is now blossoming into the 21st Century epitome of Italian automotive elegance, style and sophistication.

Alfieri Maserati founded the company which bears his name

on December 1st, 1914 in Bologna, Italy as a vehicle engineering workshop, called ‘Officine Alfieri Maserati’, and his brothers, Bindo, Ettore and Ernesto were all involved. A dramatic shift occurred in 1926, when the business switched from modifying and developing cars made by other brands, into a company which designed, built and marketed its own vehicles under the Maserati nameplate. After Alfieri died in 1932, his brothers kept the business going until it was sold in the late ‘30s and moved to its current site in Modena, Italy.

Having gone through the hands of several owners over the years, Maserati got some much needed stability when it joined the Fiat Group in 2005, which later became Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).

In 2013, FCA put ambitious plans in motion to re-launch and expand the iconic brand and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. From just over 6000 vehicles sold worldwide in 2012, Maserati sales leapt to around 15,400 units in 2013 and then on to about 36,500 cars in 2014. And the records continue to tumble with 42,100 new Maserati’s delivered in more than 70 countries in 2016, a figure which has again been bested in 2017 with 51,500 happy new customers. This global success is reflected in the local market where, the company says, its sales for the Australasian region are up an extraordinary 600% in just five years!

FEATURE – OEM PARTNERSHIPS 17 REFINISHER

Traditionally, the Quattroporte super saloon (now in its sixth generation) and Ghibli executive sports sedan have underpinned Maserati sales but 2016 saw the introduction of the company’s first SUV, the Levante. Based on the Quattroporte and Ghibli architecture, it features distinctive Italian styling with the lowest centre of gravity in its class and perfectly balanced 50:50 front and rear weight distribution. Like many Maseratis from the past, its name is inspired by a wind – Levante is a warm Mediterranean wind that can change from a light breeze to an irresistible natural force in an instant. Word of mouth spread in the months prior to the Levante’s local launch (advertising had not yet started) and more than 200 orders were taken from eager local customers, creating an instant waiting list for the SUV. Not surprisingly, it has since proven to be an ideal fit for the local

market, according to Maserati Australia.

“Levante has added to the brand in a number of ways.

First and foremost, it has attracted people to the brand who have never thought of Maserati. Ninety percent of Levante owners are new to the Maserati brand and the audience is younger and more female skewed. Secondly, it has proven to be a great incremental growth medium, building the brand in exposure and, of course, sales.”

FEATURE – OEM PARTNERSHIPS 18 THE TRIDENT

Trident true

REFINISHER

Each Maserati is still produced in Italy at one of three locations – the historic plant on Viale Ciro Menotti in Modena and 290km away at the Mirafiori and Grugliasco facilities, in Turin. As it prepared for what would be its crucial brand relaunch back in 2013, Maserati recognised that it needed a premium paint partner that could support the anticipated growth. The century old brand chose a partner which boasts well over 100 years of experience, PPG, because it proved to be the only automotive coatings manufacturer able to guarantee 360° support. As a result, PPG is the exclusive paint supplier to Maserati, from design and production line, through to refinish.

PPG is involved right from the initial stages. Using detailed data on global colour trends and the latest in coatings colour technologies, PPG’s Colour Styling team works closely with Maserati designers to formulate standout colours and finishes which will complement the company’s unique design language. PPG refinish colour experts also support Maserati Centro Stile by helping to create custom colour formulations which are offered on limited edition cars. Due to their relatively low volume, these specialised colours are actually applied using PPG refinish technology which provides the flexibility to get the job done with efficiency and an outstanding result. Whether it is from the regular production palette or an exclusive custom finish, Maserati buyers see colour choice as a critical part of the purchase

T

he iconic Trident logo was adopted by Maserati back in the 1920s. It was created by the artist of the family, Mario Maserati, who took inspiration from the ‘Fountain of Neptune’ in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore.

The trident is said to symbolise strength and vigour and the logo has remained constant throughout the company’s evolution and accompanied all the victories and successes of Maserati cars.

process. This is reflected locally where Australian buyers tend to be quite conservative with their colour choices, says Maserati Australia.

“People will often get excited by how great one of our display vehicles looks in a tri-colour blue, such as Blu Inchiostro or Blu Assoluto, or a stunning red, such as Rosso Magna or Rosso Italiano, but actually purchasing a car in one of these colours is a different matter. Locally, our owners generally go for Bianco (whites), Nero (blacks) and Grigio (silver greys) or variants of these. For example, the most common choices tend to be Bianco Alpi, Bianco Fiji and Bianco Birdcage or Nero Ribelle and Nero Carbonio or Grigio Alfieri, Grigio Granito, Grigio Metallo and Grigio Maratea. That said, we are experiencing a take up of Blu Emozione and Blu Passione in both Ghibli and Levante.”

In the production line paint shops, PPG supplies a full range of coatings, including all of the primers, basecoat colours and clearcoats.

In addition, dedicated PPG technical staff are located onsite to support the Maserati team in achieving the consistently high level of finish the brand is known for. A team of PPG refinish experts also support Maserati’s end line team who are responsible for any rectification work.

As well as installing an ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat system, PPG

FEATURE – OEM PARTNERSHIPS 19

Refinish Italy also provides onsite training and technical support. What’s more, the strong Maserati / PPG partnership extends around the global with PPG providing technical advice and training whenever and wherever it is needed, including on a local level, according to Maserati Australia.

“We are very fortunate not to have to call on the services of PPG very often as we experience very few exterior painted surface concerns. On the rare occasion when we have required PPG’s expertise to inspect or review a paint concern or technical issue, it has been swiftly resolved, either through local knowledge and experience or by direct contact with headquarters in Europe.”

The key to the strong global relationship is a collaborative approach and the ability to provide complete lifecycle support, says Raffaele Nicotera, PPG Program and Business Development Manager Italy.

RACING IMPROVES THE BREED

F

rom the early days, Maserati used motor sport as a way to research and develop innovative engineering solutions which could be transitioned to the company’s road cars. In 1933, the great Tazio Nuvolari arrived at Maserati and drove an 8CM to a number of victories.

Legendary Argentinian driver Juan-Manuel Fangio joined Maserati in 1957 and took the beautiful and potent Maserati 250F to victory in four of the eight Gran Prix to take out his fifth and final Formula One World Championship. In 1958, Italian racing driver, Maria Teresa de Filippis, became the first woman to race in Formula One and she did it at the wheel of a Maserati 250F.

“To be a partner of a premium brand like Maserati demands a premium brand approach. To be strong in the automotive market, it is important to have a strong team.

PPG Refinish Italy is a great example of how to work in a team and Maserati appreciated this approach.”

Although the last few years have been special ones in Maserati’s rich history, the resurgence of the famous Italian performance brand is far from over. Replacements for the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models are waiting in the wings to join the Quattroporte, Ghibli and Levante and enthusiasts around the world are holding their breath to see the production version of the gorgeous Maserati Alfieri concept car which honours the man who started it all. All this proves that design, exclusivity and performance are still key words in the Maserati vocabulary and more than ever they are striking a cord with premium buyers.

Owners want to get a thrill every time they look at their Maserati and they want the car to engage with them when they are behind the wheel. Delivering on all these promises in a distinctly Italian style, sees the brand extremely well placed in the premium market, according to Maserati Australia.

“Maserati has a terrific future in this part of the world.

Our market is skewed heavily toward SUVs and we have a fantastic offering in that segment, as well as in sports car and sports saloon segments. As a brand, Maserati offers performance, sound, exclusivity, craftsmanship and heritage – pillars that resonate well with this market. Not to mention the fact that we have the best looking products on the market today! R

REFINISHER

TALKING TALKING 20 REFINISHER

Internal conflict While the OEM trend of using a different colour, texture or gloss level on internal areas can make paint shop life tricky, PPG’s Internal Repair System is all about simplicity and speed.

A

lthough it has been about two decades since vehicles began to appear with a different colour on their internal surfaces, the practice is now going even further. Not only is it more widespread amongst manufacturers, more internal areas are also receiving the treatment. In the past, it was found under bonnets, tailgates and boot lids but it is now just as likely to be used in door jams and on sills. When looking to return a vehicle to pre-accident condition, this has the potential to seriously blow out repair cycle time. For a straightforward solution, PPG customers can take advantage of a range of products, including the ENVIROBASE® High Performance Internal Repair System, Structural Repair Etch Primers, D8115 Matt Clearcoat and D8117 Semi-Matt Clearcoat, as well as easy to follow, stepby-step processes, says John Hristias, PPG Business Support Manager Asia / Pacific.

ID at estimating stage Planning ahead helps avoid timeconsuming surprises. During estimating, get into the routine of checking the vehicle for different internal colours or finishes. European brands tend to use the same colour but varying degrees of texture and gloss, whereas Korean and Japanese manufacturers often go for a completely different but sympathetic colour.

One of the more challenging modern colours

is Mazda’s 46G Machine Grey. In this instance, the finish’s mid layer isn’t applied to internal areas so the colour appears quite different.

Once identified, make absolutely sure that technicians are aware of any differences as early as possible so that they can be prepared when the job arrives at the paint shop. Clearly write the information on the job card or on the windscreen using PPG’s X-Ray Repair Planning™ techniques.

Matching internal colours When an internal colour is the same as the external, the formulation can simply be retrieved from PPG’s PAINTMANAGER® colour management software. For when the internal colour is different but sympathetic, PPG has created a dedicated Internal Repair System Fan Deck. It contains around 1500 colours and, for maximum accuracy, the chips have been produced using actual ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat.

For convenience, the deck is organised into motor manufacturer order.

TALKING TALKING 21 REFINISHER

Building in layers Any repair like this is about building refinish layers which replicate the OEM finish.

For example, some internal factory finishes don’t achieve full coverage so that the e-coat very obviously ‘grins’ through.

To duplicate that finish, start by applying Structural Repair Etch Primer from PPG’s ONECHOICE® universal ancillary brand.

Not only does it reproduce the e-coat layer, it also ensures the appropriate level of corrosion resistance.

The range consists of seven different colours specifically formulated to match common e-coat colours used by vehicle manufacturers in different regions of the world. Simply choose the correct colour, apply it quickly and easily with the aerosol can and you have your first layer.

Internal Repair System Rather than the complexity of repairing internal and external areas separately, or going for the simpler process of repairing them in an identical way but using more costly materials and not matching the factory finish, the Envirobase High Performance Internal Repair System provides a far quicker and more effective solution. Consisting of two products – a Waterborne Engine Bay

Matt to gloss

Converter and a Waterborne Activator – it is a system based on the paint system used in OEM manufacturing plants.

When added to Envirobase High Performance basecoat, these products convert it into a finish which can be applied directly to surfaces where it leaves a matt finish for internal areas and a Wet-On-Wet undercoat layer for external surfaces.

As a result, this system allows the spraying of internal and external areas to be completed in the one action. By cutting out several painting steps, this significantly reduces process time, as well as saving on material costs. Best of all, if you are using the most popular refinish system in the region, Envirobase High Performance, you can begin reaping the benefits immediately!

Apart from colour, the other common variation on internal surfaces is the level of gloss. It can be anything from full gloss to a dry, matt-type finish. Through close partnerships with global brands, including Mercedes-Benz, Lamborghini and Audi, PPG is a leader in matt clearcoat technology.

As a result, D8115 Matt Clearcoat and D8117 Semi-Matt Clearcoat gives refinish technicians the ability to match the original clearcoat finish on internal and external repair areas. The two matt clearcoats (one semi-gloss and one fully-matt) are specially designed to provide full flexibility in blending together to achieve a perfect match to original matt finishes.

R

Internal Repair System features:

3 3 3 3

• Provides the required internal finish and an external WOW layer at the same time, thus saving masking, application and gun cleaning time, as well as booth cycle-time • Cuts out a complete step from the painting process • Can be re-coated with Envirobase High Performance after 15 minutes • Accurate matches and easy to mix colours.

MVP REFINISHER

22

GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS

PART ONE

REFINISHER

Getting the

message across

A

s children, we learn to talk and write so that we have the tools to more easily communicate with other people. Given that we tend to use those skills every day, and most of us believe we are reasonably good at it, why is it that communication comes up as the single biggest issue in collision centre workshops, asks Greg Tunks, MVP Manager ANZ. In part one, Greg looks at what makes good communication.

Almost inevitably, when an MVP team member is conducting shopfloor interviews, most staff will complain about a lack of

communication between the collision centre management and themselves.

That communication, or lack of, can be in many different areas, including job prioritising, job information, safety procedures, standardised shop processes and even what is expected of the particular staff member. Given that better communication is likely to get everyone operating on the same page and pulling in the same direction, it is something well worth focusing on.

Visual trumps the spoken word Humans are typically very visual creatures.

Therefore, visual communication tends to say much more than the spoken word.

Visual information also tends to be retained better. We have all had the experience where we have verbally passed on information and the person has later forgotten some or all of it. Verbal communication is also more open to misinterpretation from the listener. Give a group of 10 people the same verbal communication and you are almost guaranteed to get 10 different interpretations.

Visual communications should be placed in a prominent location.

MVP 23 REFINISHER

“However, something as simple and inexpensive as a whiteboard mounted in a prominent place can communicate the necessary information to everyone who needs to know and it is there whenever they need to check.”

In your face As much as possible, visual communications should be ‘front and centre’ and easy to refer to whenever required. Scheduling or job prioritising is a good example. If it is not communicated, staff will simply do jobs in the order they think is best. However, something as simple and inexpensive as a whiteboard mounted in a prominent place can communicate the necessary information to everyone who needs to know and it is there whenever they need to check.

You can go modern, high tech with an electronic communication system throughout the shop but the aim is still about providing ‘in your face’ visual information.

Another area which is often forgotten is the new staff induction process. In many cases, new staff members get little more than a quick verbal induction – location of toilets, smoko times, etc – and are left to get on with it. While it is fine to initially deliver induction communications verbally, it should be backed up with a checklist to ensure crucial information, such as OH&S requirements, is not missed and the staff member should be provided with a document containing key information which they can take away and refer to later.

Note

Your local MVP specialist can help by providing written guidelines for a variety of communications which can easily be adjusted to suit your collision centre’s needs.

Practical applications of visual communication Arguably the most important communications, when you are aiming for efficient collision centre operations,

is passing job information to technicians.

Many operators try to do this all via the job card and this is a reasonable solution if the technician thoroughly reads it. The problem with this is that in most cases technicians tend to ‘scan’ the job card rather than physically reading it word for word. The same goes for ‘tick boxes’ which the technicians ticks off after completing each operation.

Unfortunately, human nature means the technician usually does all the work they believe is required and then quickly ticks all the boxes at the end of the job.

The visual solution that I prefer is to write all the important information on the vehicle itself – the MVP team already has a well-known and effective, readymade system which collision centres can take advantage of, called X-RAY REPAIR PLANNING™.

Writing on the vehicle (usually the windscreen or by circling damage on particular panels) is the perfect place because it is right in the technician’s face so crucial details, such as extra work required, sublets and special requests, are difficult to miss. Different coloured markers can be used as further visual highlighters when necessary.

Note

Contact your MVP specialist to learn more about X-Ray Repair Planning™.

Short and to the point A daily production meeting is one place where verbal communication is fine, especially if it is backed up with visual elsewhere. It is about getting all the key staff together – panel,

paint, detailing, parts, estimating, etc – to communicate with each other about what is going on.

It should be short and to the point and, typically, covers the jobs in progress, including priorities, delays and special circumstances.

Afterwards, the individual leaders go back to their own areas and pass on important communications to their own teams. Done correctly, the daily production meeting gets everyone ‘on the same page’ and pulling in the same direction which is a key to collision centre productivity.

For more information, speak to your local MVP Manager or call the PPG Customer Service hotline 13 24 24 (Aust) or 0800 320 320 (NZ). R

PPG PEOPLE 24 REFINISHER

PPG Staff Profile

DaleBuckland D

riven by a curiosity of science, Dale studied chemistry and biochemistry at university before going on to complete his Honours Degree in chemistry in 2010. He later began a PhD but decided that academic research was not for him so, instead, he left the university system to see what ‘industry’ had to offer. This led to PPG where he spent two years in the technical department in a variety of roles, including analytical chemist (think CSI, but for paint!), as well as a development chemist which involved designing and improving paint products. Four years ago, Dale switched from laboratory work to a role in the PPG Refinish Marketing Department.

Product Portfolio Analyst

Favourite hobbies /pastimes?

Playing computer games Favourite food?

Strong cheese Favourite drink?

Port Favourite music / band?

Makeup and Vanity Set Favourite car / motorcycle?

Lamborghini Gallardo Favourite holiday destination?

My holiday house in East Gippsland

“In my current role as Product Portfolio Analyst I am involved in product lifecycle management. I support the various product managers by providing them with information in order to help make business decisions related to the introduction and discontinuation of products. I am also involved in managing the process by which new products are launched. This includes everything from the inception of the product all the way to the point where it actually arrives on the shelf for customers to purchase.

There is a broad variety of tasks that require my attention on a daily basis so I find it a diverse and interesting role.”

“There is always a lot of things going on at the same time which can make it challenging to ensure all projects are on track.

If projects aren’t getting the required attention it can lead to the delay of product launches. I find it satisfying to help and support others and in my current role I get plenty of opportunities to do so.

In particular, it is a pleasure to work with my current team which is full of supportive, fun and productive R individuals.”

SATA is now exclusively partnered

with PPG in both New Zealand and Australia

PPG Australia McNaughton Road Clayton South, VIC, 3168, Australia 13 24 24

PPG New Zealand 5 Vestey Drive Mount Wellington, 1060 Auckland, New Zealand 0800 320 320

MOTOR SPORT 26 REFINISHER

Strong

foundations

A new chassis coated with PPG waterborne technology and clothed in ZB Commodore bodywork is helping Erebus Motorsport set the groundwork for an epic 2018 season.

Erebus

Motorsport

W

hen you run your eyes over the immaculately presented new Erebus Motorsport ZB Commodore race car sitting poised on the starting grid, complete with superb PPG paintwork, consider this. The new chassis, alone, consumed around 3000 man-hours to fabricate from a huge jigsaw puzzle of extremely accurate, CNC laser cut and bend lengths of high grade metal tubing.

After arriving at the Erebus Motorsport workshops in Melbourne, it then took four of the team’s specialist technicians around 2.5 weeks of up to 70 hours

per week each, to complete the painstaking build process to allow it to hit the track.

Since switching to Holden Commodores at the start of the 2016 season, this chassis is the second built by Erebus Motorsport, with a third due to be ready early in the

2018 season. Being fabricated and painted in Mount Gambier in South Australia helped the new chassis get a unique touch, says Erebus General Manager – Motorsport, Barry Ryan.

“Once our fabricator had completed the chassis we got Marcus Stewart and his team at Max Medhurst Crash Repairs, in Mount Gambier, to paint it. They use PPG’s ENVIROBASE® High Performance basecoat on a day-to-day basis in their paint shop so the PPG team said why not take the opportunity to use waterborne technology on our new chassis. Envirobase is the most popular refinish system in the region so it made perfect sense. We are privileged to have such a strong partnership with PPG and to use such high quality paint. It really does make a big difference to have that PPG logo on our cars – everyone knows the brand and it is something to be proud of.”

Thanks to the latest Supercars category rulebook aimed at promoting safety and close racing, the new in-house chassis is virtually identical to the previous ex-Walkinshaw unit the team had been running, however it gives the Erebus crew a small mental boost, says Barry. While there are significant visual differences with the arrival of the ZB Commodore, he says the principal elements underneath remain largely the same.

“The external package may be different for Ford, Nissan and Holden, and even between the old VF shape and the new ZB Commodore but the actual chassis are virtually the same. For example, apart from some of the parts where the body attaches, the ZB chassis is identical to the VF.

MOTOR SPORT 27 REFINISHER

It is just the body shape which is different and that has been a positive change for most of the team sponsors.

Things like the doors are a bit taller, the bonnet is a bit bigger and areas on the front bumper bar are bigger and all this gives us a little more space to highlight our sponsors.

Tim Pattinson Design will work with us to create new livery designs and, I think, this new shape will instantly look better.”

Having finished fifth in the Supercars Teams Championship and with lead driver, Dave Reynolds, finishing seventh overall, Erebus feels it has solid groundwork to build on going into 2018. The inspirational win

at Bathurst was icing on the cake, according to Barry.

“We won Bathurst through genuine speed – it wasn’t through luck – and that has been a massive positive for the team, in the fact that people see Erebus as the ‘real-deal’. I suppose the respect level from other teams and people in the industry has gone up. They know we’re not here to mess around – we’re here to take on every other team. Then, at the end of year Supercars Awards night, Dave Reynolds was awarded the Barry Sheene Medal. It is actually voted for by the media so it is like a best and fairest for our sport.

It was a big accolade for someone like Dave who doesn’t think he is anything special but everyone else likes the way he conducts himself.

He is certainly a big part of our team and a real positive influence on everyone.”

Barry says the team has mapped out a strategy for the future and he sees the strong 2017 results as an indication it is on track to achieve its goals.

“We’re not arrogant enough to say we think we can win the championship in 2018 but we think we can make another step in the right direction. There are a lot of good teams in this championship and we feel we can compete with them. We’d like to see Dave (Reynolds) step up to consistently getting podiums and being a top five driver in the championship and we’d like to see Erebus in the top three in the teams championship. We’re also adding a new young rookie driver, Anton De Pasquale, who has an exceptional amount of talent. We definitely have plans in place to win the championship within three years – R that is our goal!”

COMMERCIALTRANSPORT 28 REFINISHER

Old dog new tricks Via an innovative charity fundraising campaign, NTI and its

partners have taken a ‘green diamond in the rough’ and turned it into a sparkling jewel that will shine long into the future.

E

ven the most optimistic person could be forgiven for having their doubts – the tired old International had put in long years of loyal service and its reward was to sit quietly corroding into oblivion under the harsh Queensland sun for more than four decades. Despite the derelict appearance, Don Geer and Peeter Liiv saw a spark of life in the old girl which made it an unlikely but

perfect candidate for a very special project.

Both men work for National Transport Insurance (NTI) – Don is Service Provider Liaison, while Peeter is Manager of Supplier Relationships – and Australia’s leading commercial vehicle insurer had chosen a novel approach to raising funds for a very worthwhile charity. With the help of its nationwide network of suppliers, including PPG, the aim was to restore a classic truck to its

former glory before raffling it. With the former CEO of NTI, Wayne Patterson, having been diagnosed with motor neuron disease, or MND for short, it was decided that 100% of proceeds would go to the MND & Me Foundation. The search began in earnest for a suitable truck for the project, says Peete.

“We looked at a number of websites and came across this 1946 International Model K5 at Price’s Truck Parts in Dalby (Queensland). My dad used to drive a similar truck when I was a kid so it appealed to me. Don and I spent two days there checking it over. The carburettor and some other bits were missing but Don scrounge another carby, fitted new spark plugs and then dribbled a little fuel in and we used the crank handle to try and start it. Once we got a hint it might start, we persevered and got it going – that was the biggest surprise of all! We also wanted a name for it. Looking through old paraphernalia, I saw a reference to ‘Green Diamond’ which was what they called the 233ci (3.8ltr) side valve six-cylinder engine and the name seemed to fit nicely.”

COMMERCIALTRANSPORT 29 REFINISHER

RESTO IN ACTION

D

o yourself a favour and check out the five-part video series on the project.

It can be found on YouTube starting with ‘NTI Truck Restoration – Episode 1: A “Green Diamond” in the Rough’. Not only does it highlight the passion and dedication which Peete, Don and all the suppliers brought to the project, it also won two awards for cinematography.

Thanks to the original owner’s name – H.I Hamilton from the Queensland town of Miles – still visible on the chassis, they were even able to trace the vehicle’s history, says Don. “The Hamilton who originally bought it was an accountant but be dabbled in market gardening and farming so it was used for everything. It was actually used to take his wife and two kids to church on Sunday! It was straight after World War II and, at the time, the International Model K5 was a very common, reliable workhorse.”

NTI describes the Green Diamond project as community based and it certainly included a hefty dose of support from the commercial transport repair community.

For example, IVECO opened its Brisbane workshop and provided apprentices to carry out much of the work. Two PPG FleetPool members also provided close support –

Recar Brisbane were involved in painting and repairing parts, while Royans Brisbane panel beated, fabricated and painted the cabin, etc. PPG was more than happy to provide whatever coatings materials were required. Although not a concourse restoration, the aim was to keep the project as authentic as possible, including the paint colours, says Peete.

“We found a spot under the bonnet where the paint hadn’t been faded and we were able to polish it. Royans use a spectro to take a reading and look up the best formula on the PPG computer.

The interior was too weathered so we went through PPG colour chips to find one to suit. It wouldn’t surprise me if this International was brush painted in enamel from the factory!

COMMERCIALTRANSPORT 30

Old dog new tricks

REFINISHER

With PPG colour and clearcoat, the paintwork and bodywork are even better than original.”

The tight timeline was one of the biggest challenges for the project. Being a raffle, there was a legally binding finish date for the draw (15th September 2017 in Brisbane’s King George Square) so the job had to be complete – no ifs buts or maybes.

Throughout the project, Don and Peete spent eight to ten hours per day, seven days a week fully immersed in every detail.

With this in mind, the next biggest challenge was sourcing parts – not surprising given Green Diamond is over 70 years old. Just some of the time-consuming issues which could have derailed the project include a cracked front axle and the unavailability

of a long list of parts from kingpins to window mechanisms and universal joints. At one point, no engine main bearing could be found anywhere in the world but a local specialist was able to ‘re-metal’ the originals so that the engine rebuild could go ahead. A number of modern touches were added, including a 12-volt electrical system, electronic ignition, electric windows and carpet.

All along the way, the project continued to gathered an astonishing level of attention, according to Don. “One example was when it was in the upholsterer’s workshop. People walked past Corvettes, T-buckets, MG’s and Austin Healeys to look at this truck and say ‘how good is this?’. The upholsterer was blown away by the interest in it and, to be honest, so was I. I think it is just the shape, the nostalgia and that it is so different.”

In the end, the project was completed five days before the raffle draw which saw a final figure of $55,020 going directly to the MND & Me Foundation. Don says, the raffle winner isn’t quite sure what he is going do with the beautiful old International.

Never having driving a truck or a vehicle with a ‘crash’ (non-synchromesh) gearbox, Don and Peete were even providing driving lessons. Don says it is a throwback to a slower paced era. “It doesn’t go anywhere in a hurry. It is flat out at 80kph and not very happy over 60kph.”

According to Don, the experiences of this project will be used for similar projects in the near future.

“We were bloody lucky to get it done in the timeframe to meet key events. We are very proud of the suppliers that worked with us – they did a mindboggling job – and I’m pretty proud of Peete and myself that we made it happen. We have more restos planned and we will attack them a little bit differently. We really did learn a lot R from this first one.”

W H AT I S M N D ?

M

otor neurone disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases in which neurones – the cells which control the voluntary muscles of the body – fail to work normally.

With no nerves to activate them, muscles gradually weaken and waste, and can affect a person’s ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. Each day two people are diagnosed with MND in Australia and each day two people in Australia die of MND. There is no cure and no effective treatment.

Accelerate your innovation with PPG

Innovation in waterborne technology Featuring the very latest waterborne coatings technology, including a totally unique PPG developed latex binder, ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat system is like no other refinish paint system. Building on ten-years of proven PPG waterborne experience, it represents a quantum leap forward.

As well as an eco-friendly choice, this innovative formulation comes with an unmatched combination of extraordinary speed, efficiency and versatility. The unrivalled ease of use is highlighted by superb colour accuracy and effortless blending and mottle control.

Envirobase High Performance waterborne basecoat system is the ideal way to put your collision centre at the leading edge of the ‘green’ revolution, while ensuring you have all the attributes to maximise paint shop productivity and profitability.

Contact your PPG representative or the customer service hotline 13 24 24 (Aust) or 0800 320 320 (NZ) for more information. www.ppgrefinish.com.au

60th ANNIVERSARY FEATURE REFINISHER

2

Vol 1 No1

Vol 60 No1

Milest one 1959

2018

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he very first issue of The Refinisher magazine, in 1959, carried a cover line which reads ‘The magazine for the automotive refinish trade’. Those simple words set the tone for the long running journal and they still ring true today. Although everyone recognises it as a PPG publication, rather than an independent label, The Refinisher has had the ability to really engage with industry people because it is produced especially for them. No one factor has cemented it as a valued publication over such a long period, rather it is a unique mix of articles which have informed and entertained readers each issue.

As the Refinisher magazine celebrates an impressive 60th Anniversary, we take a look back at some of the moments along the incredible journey.

Bigger and better The Refinisher first arrived in era-contemporary black and white and was only around half the size (approximately A5 format) of the modern version. It moved to the larger A4 format at the start of ’74, got a colour cover in ’76 and added more pages and full-colour during the 1980s.

Interestingly, many of the subjects which make great reading today were there from the beginning. Regular ‘Shop Profiles’ took a fascinating look behind the scenes at individual collision centres across the region and highlighted how they went about guiding their businesses on the pathway to success. Much like our latest review of autonomous vehicle technologies, there was a steady stream of editorials on thought provoking topics, such as the Feb ’68 article, ‘Electric cars – but when?’. At the time, it reported that practically every big car maker was working on getting an electric vehicle to market within 10 years!

From February 1968, “The optimum is seen as a (battery storage) unit like this that can be re-charged at a service station in about the same time as it takes to fill the petrol tank of a conventional car.”

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Technically speaking Examining many of the technical issues faced in collision centre workshops was another consistent strength. For example, a series of articles in 1968 looked at “the different properties of the two main types of paint finishes used on motor vehicles today, lacquers and enamels.” In the Dec ’70 issue, two articles gave a taste of the future. ‘The challenge of plastics in the auto industry’ foreshadowed the explosion of plastic components that collision repairers would face, while ‘What goes under the hammer’, analysed the basic body building material for vehicles at the time – sheet-metal – and how it should be straightened.

From December 1970, “Knowing when to hit, how to hit and when other methods are needed requires an understanding of what metals are all about.”

As the industry entered the 1980s, the modern-type spray booth began making its mark. Indeed, a 1980 article predicted a sales explosion of around 500 new booth installations in Australia.

It was all about controlling the application environment while also allowing modern refinish coatings to be baked in order to minimise cycle-time.

From Volume 23, #2, 1980. The boom in booth installations is based “… on the growing cost-competitiveness in the refinish trade, the increasing use of European-type basecoat clear baked finishes on new cars sold in this country, and because of the motorist who nowadays is expecting and demanding a repair standard to match the original factory finish.”

Plenty of Tech Tips have also assisted technicians on the shopfloor. Flick through early ‘70s editions and you will find articles on ‘Painting in winter’, ‘Spray gun maintenance’, ‘Surface preparation’, ‘Polishing’ and ‘Avoiding humidity issues’. Colour matching also emerged as a key skill.

As well as regular articles on the subject, we saw the first PPG supported Victorian Colour Matching Competition in 1990 in which around 80 apprentices took part. The next year, in cooperation with the TAFE network, it morphed into the PPG National Colour Matching Competition which is still running today.

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Not your average Joe

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One of the most enduring memories of The Refinisher concerns a certain character, called ‘Joe the Slob’.

Over four years from ’68 and in more than 20 photographed situations, Joe the Slob used a little humour to highlight industry safety issues. His reckless antics got plenty of giggles but also encouraged technicians to take greater awareness of safety.

In 1972, it was revealed that Joe was actually Max Casey, a Technical Assistant in the automotive refinish department at Clayton, who had over 30 years of trade experience.

Joe the Slob returned in a cartoon series from 1974.

Computer revolution In 1984 (Volume 26, #2) we saw the dawning of a newfangled technology with an article on Blackhawk’s Systematic 2001 Quoting and Management System. Massive by today’s standards, it could be purchased for under $10,000 and was expected to be installed in about 500 Australian repair shops over the next few years. A followup special, ‘Choosing a Computer System’ (Volume 28, #3, 1986), gave repairers an overview of what was available to them.

From Volume 28, #3, 1986, “Without doubt one of the most remarkable inventions of this, or any other century, is the electronic computer. With respect

to the refinish trade, packages are available that will carry out the usual list of accounting tasks and, more importantly, streamline the process of producing a quote …each of the systems mentioned has a great deal to offer any progressive smash repairer.”

Better business While the arrival of PPG’s MVP Bodyshop Development program in 2001 (Volume 43, #2) has dramatically enhanced the performance of repairers across the region, the fundamentals go right back to the earliest days of The Refinisher.

For example, April 1968 saw a cycle-time article called ‘Hot up your turn around’ and another dealing with quieter times – ‘Famines … Ways and means to even up the income graph and reduce wastage of time and labour’.

The well-known ‘Plan For Profit’ program first appeared in the December ’86 edition, pointing out that it was not for academics but was a practical, hands-on course to help owners achieve results.

It kicked off a greater recognition that owners needed to be skilled business people, as well as skilled technicians, and resulted in a string of regular, informative articles aimed at better business management.

From December 1986, “Plan For Profit puts your business under the microscope, identifies what you should do to improve efficiency and gives you a firm plan of action tailored to your business.”

On track The motor sport connection has always been obvious in The Refinisher with articles, large and small, appearing from the early days. The exploding popularity of Tour Car racing saw a host of racing legends write for The Refinisher.

Peter Brock wrote a ‘View from the track’

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column in Feb ’74 and was followed by contributions from the likes of Allan Moffat, Colin Bond and Alan Grice. Brocky returned in the late 1980s with a regular ‘Brock Torque’ column and, from March / April ’89, Neil Crompton began his long running ‘Flat Chat’ column which gave a fascinating insight into the local racing scene. In July / Sept ’95 we profiled a young but already very successful Brad Jones Racing outfit (‘Pro-Act’ from the Jones Boys) and in Autumn ’97 we chatted to 17-year-old Todd Kelly about his aims to win the Australian Formula Ford title. Today, around half of the Supercars field relies on PPG products to help them standout, whether it is on TV or at the track.

OEM partnerships PPG’s links to local vehicle makers, including with Holden, Ford, Mitsubishi and Toyota, go back to the early day of manufacturing.

Many of those partnerships continue to this day – Kenworth’s local manufacturing plant at Bayswater, Melbourne, first appeared in Feb ’73, followed shortly after (Dec ’73) by a review of Volvo Trucks production plant in Wacol, Brisbane, and then Mack Trucks (July ’74) which are built in the same plant. In New Zealand, we took a look at the close relationship with the Toyota Thames facility back in Summer 1999 / 2000.

In June / July ’88 we profiled the fledgling HSV operation in ‘The Lion’s Roar’.

“The first product to roll out of its doors, the Commodore Group A SS, has already become a collector’s item and is a true supercar in the Australian sporting tradition.”

Since then, The Refinisher has highlighted the strong OEM partnerships which PPG enjoys right across the globe with feature articles on brands including Lamborghini, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Morgan, BMW, Volkswagen and Porsche.

Product driven Arriving in 1927, DUCO was too early to feature in The Refinisher but it certainly revolutionised the industry. Not only was it the first automotive paint to be applied with a spray gun, it was also faster drying, more durable and glossier.

The DULON acrylic lacquer range did a similar thing when it was launched in the ’60s and it was followed by market leading product names, such as ACRAN, 2K COBRA, the DELTRON GRS refinish paint system and, what today is the best selling refinish system across the region, the ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat system which arrived with a seven-page feature in The Refinisher Volume 49, #2, 2007.

Even back then, it was clear that it was something very special.

“Just as with its solvent -borne systems, PPG is a world leader in waterborne paint technology and the next-generation benefits and features found in Envirobase High Performance prove it. This really is the world’s most advance waterborne basecoat system.”

Future The more that things change in the industry, the more they stay the same. While there is no doubt that the technology and sophistication of the industry will continue to evolve, it wouldn’t be surprising to find a similar range of interesting and informative articles when The Refinisher celebrates R its 100th Anniversary in 2058!

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Building on the past....looking to the future BONUS INSERT – 32PAGE COMMEMORATIVE COMPILATION REFINISHER