The Refinisher Vol61 Issue 1 2019

THE V O L U M E

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I S S U E

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Tool Time

ALSO INSIDE: REMOVE A WHOLE STEP FROM YOUR PLASTIC REPAIR PROCESS

The Ultimate Camaro

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• A LOOK INSIDE MBQ AUTOBODY • DJR TEAM PENSKE SHOWS WINNING STYLE • THE CORRECT WAY TO CLEAN PANELS

With a dazzling palette of colours and an arsenal of mind-blowing special effects, the only limitation is your imagination. These high-energy finishes are easy to use and fully compatible with PPG’s market leading refinish systems, including the ENVIROBASE ® High Performance waterborne system, making eco-friendly custom paintwork a reality! Whether it’s for a hot rod, custom car or motorcycle, for a finish that turns heads, draws crowds and gets award winning recognition, there’s only one choice – PPG Vibrance Collection! 13 24 24

@PPGVibranceAustralia

www.vibrancenetwork.com.au

contents APRIL2019

SC A N TO RE A D T HE REFINISHER ONLINE

61 VOLUME

THE

REFINISHER

ISSUE 1

Editor-In-Chief Paul Galea

Editorial Co-ordinator Kevin Woolerton

News

Convert and save

Editor John M Stanley Creative Director Dean Parrott

A new product to slash costs on jobs that include plastics

Published for and on behalf of PPG Industries Pty Limited by

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

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

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

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

Third-party trademarks referenced in this magazine are the property of their respective owners.

A hood of its time The spray hood so comfortable you will want to wear it

SATA and SATAjet are registered trademarks of SATA GmbH & Co. KG.

Vestey investment A major revamp for PPG’s Auckland Training Centre

Western Australia Unit 2/6 Colin Jamieson Drive, Welshpool, 6106 Telephone (08) 9256 3920

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

Smooth torquer Sidchrome’s 2018 Project Car is a ’69 Camaro like no other. With a super smooth and torquey Aussie V12 under the bonnet, innovative suspension and steering technology and deep, jet-black PPG paintwork, it’s an epic machine that spans the generations

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

South Australia 97-105 Bedford Street, Gillman, 5013 Telephone (08) 8346 6870

X marks the spot The SATAjet X 5500 spray gun – perfectly adapted to your needs

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

Southern Star A Tassie repairer getting award winning recognition

NEWS REFINISHER

You’ve gotta be in it to win it! D

id you get your entry in for SATA’s latest competition, dubbed ‘Your memories – Your spray gun’? Amongst the 25 winners from

across the globe were three from this region – Jay McMillan from Lower Hutt in New Zealand, Seth Newton from Sydney and Jaymes Smith from Albury NSW.

Not only did they each receive an awesome SATAjet 5000 B spray gun, it was actually customised for each winner with images all over the gun created from their own photos! Keep your eyes peeled on www.sata.com, Facebook or Instagram for future SATA R promotions.

Clever pucks thanks to PPG coatings D

id you know ice hockey pucks glide more smoothly and faster when frozen? The problem for game officials in the North American National Hockey League (NHL),

is knowing when the puck has warmed to the point where it should be replaced so that it does not impact game play. Working closely with its technology partners,

PPG has provided a clever, elegant solution to the problem by introducing its thermochromic coatings. By shifting from purple to clear when a puck’s temperature is above freezing, these advanced coatings provide an extremely useful visual indicator that it’s time for the puck to be changed. Official game pucks, featuring PPG thermochromic coatings, are set to be evaluated throughout the 2018-19 season. PPG is the Official Paint of the NHL and the company’s products have a prominent presence throughout professional hockey. R

NEWS 5

REFINISHER

DRIVETHROUGH

PPG stars @

Summernats F

or visitors to the 2019 running of the Summernats, the PPG stand was an easy one to find – it’s on PPG Corner! Alternatively, you could simply follow the crowds who flocked to the cavernous

PPG marque. They came to see the awesome selection of display cars, including a very rare Ford Torino Talladega (courtesy of V Resto Garage), as well as the all new range of VIBRANCE COLLECTION® primers, clearcoat and special effects finishes that let you go from bare metal to show finish using just one system. According to the expert PPG team on hand, it was the busiest Summernats ever, as professional painters, vehicle builders and owners dropped by to check out the very latest colours and discuss the best way to R achieve that dream finish!

Award winning image F

rom a list of excellent finalists, Nationwide Livestock has lifted the trophy as winner of the 2018 PPG Transport Imaging Awards. Run in conjunction with New Zealand Truck & Driver magazine, the long running awards highlight the extraordinary impact top quality branding and paintwork can have for a heavy vehicle fleet. Company owner, Mike Mathieson, says he initially went for the base pale blue because no one else seemed to be using the

colour. Adding to the eye-catching livery are double silver strips along the side which are enhanced with metallic orange shading. Finally, the Nationwide Livestock logo (featuring a green map of New Zealand, with ‘N’ and ‘L’ on each side and arrows circling the country) emphasis exactly what the company is all about! R

with Paul Galea

t PPG, we strongly believe that ongoing skills training is a key factor in any successful collision repair business. That’s why we haven’t just got one training centre – we committed to establishing a whole network of training facilities, staffed by expert Training Managers, right across the region, including top-class, company-owned training centres in Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. PPG continues to invest heavily, including the recent revamp of the Auckland Training Centre (pg 22). With a state-of-the-art new booth, prep area and mixing room, it gives Kiwi technicians a fantastic venue to develop their skills. It’s rare that you get the opportunity to remove one entire step from a process but that is exactly what our new LVA-650 EnviroLOCK Plastic Primer Converter does (pg 6). Think about all the plastics going through your paint shop. Now think about how much one simple change could make to your labour cost and, therefore, cost of repair. I believe our customers are going to love it! Refinish can sometimes seem disconnected from the OEM sector but, crucially, PPG is a key global player in both. We are proud of our widespread partnerships with just about every OEM brand you can think of, including Mercedes-Benz (pg 10 to 13), and you might be surprised at all the advantages which flow to our refinish customers. The bottom line is, being a partner at the very beginning of colour development means excellent colour capability for our customers in the refinish paint shop. R

Convert& PRODUCT NEWS

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save With its ability to slash costs on jobs that include plastics, LVA-650 EnviroLOCK Plastic Primer Converter provides an all new solution to drive paint shop productivity.

iven how many plastic components there are on the average vehicle, it’s no surprise that plastics are involved in a large percentage of repair jobs. While this means including a plastic adhesion promotor in the overall refinish process, the downside is that it typically requires a whole additional step. However, what if you could get the necessary adhesion phase completed without needing a separate step? This is exactly what PPG’s Research & Development engineers were aiming for when they created LVA-650 EnviroLOCK Plastic Primer Converter. As the name suggests, it’s another high productivity addition to the market leading LV range of products. In this instance, it’s designed to work with the outstanding EnviroLOCK Primer to deliver valuable process time and material usage savings, over the conventional method.

Convert from the conventional Taking advantage of LVA-650 EnviroLOCK Plastic Primer Converter is extremely straightforward. When mixing the EnviroLOCK Primer for a job that involves

PRODUCT NEWS 7

Compare the processes Prior to refinishing, the preparation of plastic substrates and other surfaces is done as per normal. In the same way, the user is free to mix the EnviroLOCK Primer in whichever spectral grey shade is best suited to the topcoat colour. It also comes with all the usual benefits, including a Wet-On-Wet mode, extremely smooth flow so there is no need to sand and a long re-coat window.

Although D820 comes ready-for-use and, therefore, does not need to be mixed, there are other time-consuming factors in the process which LVA-650 eliminates. After application, this process also requires time to allow the product to flash off (30 minutes). Finally, there is the need for an extra spray gun which must then be cleaned afterwards.

For a start, using LVA-650 removes one entire step over the conventional process. Simply move straight to mixing the required EnviroLOCK Primer but make the small change of replacing the required volume of the applicable thinner with the same volume of LVA-650. Use this mixture to prime over the entire job – it doesn’t matter whether the components are E-coated with rub-throughs or plastic – it will provide adhesion promoting properties to the plastics and have no effect on other substrates. What’s more, material cost is effectively halved because LVA-650 replaces the thinner and D820 is not required.

D820 PROCESS

LVA-650 PROCESS

Prepare spray gun with D820

Mix EnviroLOCK Primer using LVA-650 EnviroLOCK Plastic Primer Converter to replace the thinner

Conventional method using D820 Plastic Adhesion Promoter

➜ ➜

Allow 30 minutes for D820 to flash-off

Apply to the job

➜ ➜

Move on to topcoat

Clean spray gun afterwards Mix and apply EnviroLOCK Primer

➜

The introduction of LVA-650 EnviroLOCK Plastic Primer Converter is all about using the latest coatings technology to gain an increase in productivity. Indeed, detailed comparison tests against the conventional process, using D820 Plastics Adhesion Promoter, have shown that the more streamlined process, using LVA-650, can actually reduce the job cost by over 40 percent! Best of all, those savings in production time can be utilised to reduce the collision centre’s all-important cycle-time which can then be used to process more jobs in a given time.

Apply to any plastic components

➜

Convert for the savings

➜

plastic components, it merely requires LVA-650 to be directly substituted for the recommended amount of thinner to go into the formulation. For example, if the formulation called for 100ml of thinner, instead add 100ml of LVA-650 and no thinner. After also adding the required quantity of hardener, the primer can simply be applied as per normal over both plastic components and approved substrates. The application and drying characteristics are unaffected but the LVA-650 in the formulation will provide adhesion promoting properties on any commonly used plastic components it’s applied to. There is no requirement for any new investment in order to take advantage of the benefits and it’s a solution that is easy to train staff on and leaves less room for error. Not only that, LVA-650 is also manufactured locally at PPG’s Clayton, Melbourne production facility.

LVA-650 EnviroLOCK Plastic Primer Converter method

Move on to topcoat Note: When it comes to situations where a job is required to be repaired to an OEM approval standard, D820 Plastic Adhesion Promoter remains the option to use. This is because it has already been authorised for use as part of the overall approval process with vehicle OEMs.

For more information on LVA-650 EnviroLOCK Plastic Primer Converter and the rest of the high-performance LV range, contact your PPG representative or PPG’s Customer Service Hotline 13 24 24 (Aust) R or 0800 320 320 (NZ).

REFINISHER

MOTOR SPORT REFINISHER

Out of the heartbreaking end to the 2017 Supercars season emerged a DJR Team Penske outfit that was even more determined to focus on the winning process.

If at first you don’t

succeed... D

espite being totally alone in the #17 Shell V-Power Racing Ford as he crossed the line at the final 2018 Supercars race in Newcastle, Scott McLaughlin symbolically carried a vast team of people

with him. Not just all the DJR Team Penske personnel, it was also everyone else who has supported the 25-year-old Kiwi on his journey to clinching the 2018 Supercars Driver’s Championship. After the pressure of a long season, there was a sense of elation mixed with relief, says Scott. “Truly, it was both. Massive relief that we had gotten it done after what was a massive disappointment in 2017 and elation that I was able to achieve a childhood dream. Being able to do it for an organisation like DJR Team Penske, with icons of motorsport like Roger

Penske and Dick Johnson, is incredible. Since a very young age, I have never wanted to be anything but a Supercars driver so to have achieved a Championship is something extremely special to me and the team.” “Having my family with me is massively important, too. My mum, dad and sister all sacrificed a lot to allow me to get where I am today, so having them alongside me for the successful times is extra special. You have got to have good people coming along for the ride with you and investing their own time and abilities in you and your performance. For example, PPG has been with me for a long time – from back in my karting days. Having support from companies like PPG makes a huge difference to young, up-and-coming drivers. It’s not just financial support either, it’s access to business networks and functions that allow you to grow your contact lists that assist with opportunities as you progress through the ranks. Being backed by PPG at DJR Team Penske is sensational. We have just won our second Best Presented Team award and we would not look half as good without the support and product from PPG.” As well as tracing its sponsorship of Dick Johnson Racing back to the early days, PPG has also been a proud sponsor of Penske Racing for over 35 years.

MOTOR SPORT 9

The epic end to the local season capped an incredible year for Team Penske worldwide, with victories in the Indy 500, NASCAR Cup Series, Brickyard 400 and the team’s 34th National Championship. Roger Penske, himself, describes it as “Probably the greatest year for the team, ever.” The depth of experience across the organisation plays a key role, says Scott McLaughlin. “Having people like Roger and DJ in your corner is just the most amazing feeling. They have been there, done that and seen it

all and they always have some good advice or a quiet word of encouragement to give me at the perfect time. I love having Roger, Tim (Cindric – President of Team Penske) and DJ at events with me. Obviously, there is always pressure when they are around but it’s positive, not negative pressure and it makes me lift my performance.” Given the limited amount of practice days, the DJR Team Penske drivers have to look for other options in order to maintain their on-track performance, Scott explains.

“Motorsport is not like footy or golf where you can have a kick on the oval or hit a bucket of balls at the range, so we have got to be a little more creative with how we prepare. At the start of 2018, the team invested in a top-of-the-range simulator from a Melbourne company, called Simworx, and that really helps with the driving side of things. It allows Fabian and I to get our eye in and remember how the track goes before we roll out in first practice on the Friday morning. The other thing that is good to do is some karting. A lot of Supercars drivers own high-powered shifter karts that provide a real workout on the body and allow you to keep your car control skills right up to date.” Scott admits that DJR Team Penske did not have the fastest car in 2018. However, by sticking to the Penske Way and a set of processes, it was the best team, making the least mistakes and that resulted in the championship win. “The Penske Way is all about presentation and ensuring that everything looks its best at all times. It’s something that Roger talks about quite a bit and he is extremely proud of how the team presents itself. When you focus on preparation and presentation, the results will follow. DJR Team Penske have demonstrated that, winning Best Presented Team two years in a row, the 2017 Teams’ Championship and now the 2018 Drivers’ Championship in only our fourth season. Now I can’t wait to do it R all again in 2019!”

FEATURE PANEL SHOP REFINISHER

10 MBQ AUTOBODY

Corporate culture I

n anybody’s language, LSH Auto International is a vast organisation. Part of the Lei Shing Hong (LSH) Group which is headquartered in Hong Kong, it encompasses 240 premium automotive retail outlets and is the world’s largest Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles dealer group. Across the globe it employs over 22,000 people and 18 of them can be found at MBQ Autobody, in the Brisbane suburb of Salisbury. Already Brisbane’s sole MercedesBenz authorised autobody repairer, MBQ Autobody joined the group back in

February 2016, at a time when LSH Auto International was making a concerted push into the Australian market. The Australian subsidiary, LSH Auto Australia, was established through the acquisition of the former Mercedes-Benz Australia dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Brisbane and Mercedes-Benz Sydney in 2015, followed by Mercedes-Benz Melbourne in 2017. Rather than simply becoming lost in the enormous corporate structure, MBQ Autobody has become an integral part of the wide-ranging services offered to customers, according to Vince Reggi, Manager MBQ Autobody. “Before we were purchased by LSH Auto Australia we

were an independent autobody repairer. Even though we did not sell cars, we were the only authorised Mercedes-Benz repairer in Brisbane. Today we are a totally different company and the biggest change is now being a direct department of Mercedes-Benz Brisbane so we have full dealer support and are part of a much bigger network. Basically, when any car coming through Mercedes-Benz Brisbane needs body repairs it comes to us and, in turn, we buy parts through the parts department. As a result, our work volume has quadrupled.” Vince is actually a 28-year veteran at MBQ Autobody, having joined as a “naïve kid out of high school, not realising what I was getting myself into”. Having worked his way from the panel beating shopfloor to overall manager, he has seen plenty of changes, particularly in the vehicles. “Back in 1991, a Mercedes-Benz was a vehicle to aspire to, whereas these days they are a lot more affordable and accessible so there are more models and a

FEATURE PANEL SHOP 11

Moving from private ownership to part of a large global organisation has helped MBQ Autobody raise its support for Mercedes-Benz customers to an all new level.

lot more Mercedes-Benz vehicles on the road.” Unlike the average collision repairer, MBQ Autobody must be thoroughly prepared for any Mercedes-Benz model coming through the door – from an A-Class hatchback or a Sprinter Van, through to a Mercedes Maybach worth around $500,000. “Many people don’t realise how many different Mercedes-Benz models there are and we have to keep ourselves up-todate with each and every one. It’s very expensive to have every single tool required to repair each specific model but it’s something we commit to as an authorised repairer. We also continue to invest in the facility. Just in the last few months we installed a new spray booth – for a total of three – which allows us to do

larger vehicles, like the high roof Sprinter Vans. We also finished off our prep area and set up a dedicated aluminium repair room.” “Another big commitment is staff training – LSH Auto Australia is fully committed to training and development to ensure we all meet every expectation of our customers. There is a lot of training which Mercedes-Benz Australia puts on that we have to send all our guys to – for example, every time a new model comes out. Whenever it’s offered, we definitely send staff to PPG paint training, too. For instance, everyone in the paint shop recently went through a ‘matt clearcoat’ training course with PPG – I appreciated it and the guys thought it was great.”

Having every conceivable tool and the skilled staff on hand to repair any MercedesBenz vehicle that arrives on the doorstep does not come cheaply and this has to be reflected in the cost, says Vince. “Insurance companies obviously want vehicles repaired as cheaply as possible but, from our point of view, we have to repair them to an extremely high standard. Doing that takes more time for labour and always using genuine parts. No one wants to be involved in an accident and the last thing we want to do is give a customer a less than perfect vehicle back. It’s a very touchy subject for everyone in the industry but we are able to point out to the insurance company exactly what it takes to repair the vehicle correctly to Mercedes-Benz specification and the price to do it.” While it has long enjoyed an enviable reputation for excellent workmanship, integrating into a large corporate structure has seen the MBQ Autobody team work hard on putting efficient processes in place. “Production efficiency is very important but it’s a fine line. We want to build on the high quality MBQ has produced over the years while also concentrating much more

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FEATURE PANEL SHOP 12

Corporate culture

REFINISHER

MBQ AUTOBODY

on efficiencies and productivities. For the technicians in the workshop, it’s about getting the quality of workmanship correct and the job done right the first time. It’s my job to continually analyse the numbers to make sure we get the costings right for each job.” One factor helping to drive paint shop productivity is PPG’s ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat system and the entire low-VOC product range which is fully approved for the refinish of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Indeed, MBQ Autobody has been a PPG customer since mid-2012. “It was before I became manager but I remember we did not hold back – we went for Envirobase straight away and I believe it was for environmental reasons and its speed and efficiency.

S H O P FA C T S MBQ Autobody Owner: LSH Auto Australia Staff: 18 PPG Product: Envirobase High Performance Territory Manager: Craig Sinclair

The PPG team is very supportive and I am very happy with the service we get. There is regular paint training and the PPG guys also take a look at our paint processes and make refinements wherever necessary. Everything is working fantastic!” Like collision repairers across the region, MBQ Autobody is not immune from the difficulties of finding and retaining skilled staff. This is where being part of LSH Auto Australia provides employment benefits not seen in regular repair shops. An example being a parental leave scheme giving males two weeks leave when their partner has a baby. As well as ongoing trade skills training, there are also advantages further up the career ladder. For example, Vince has taken advantage of a ‘Team Management’ training program. “The course is run by MercedesBenz globally – LSH Auto Australia is very supportive of that so I have been to Melbourne seven times in 2018 to complete all the modules which cover things like process, recruitment, leadership, etc. Two years ago, I was a foreman on the workshop floor, now Mercedes-Benz Australia has just awarded me ‘2018 Mercedes-Benz Autobody Manager of the Year’ – it has been a remarkable change.”

In another major step for the company, LSH Auto Australia is set to open its spectacular new state-of-the-art development at Breakfast Creek Wharf in Brisbane which will become the new home of Mercedes-Benz Brisbane. Vince is anticipating a strong flow on effect to MBQ Autobody. “We are part of a really big organisation which is about to launch the largest Mercedes-Benz Autohaus in Australia and become the local flagship for LSH Auto Australia. This significant investment confirms the company’s commitment to the Australian market. It will bring more and more customers into the front end of the business and I believe it’s inevitable that MBQ Autobody will continue to grow and grow. Only a company like LSH Auto Australia has the vision and capability to create something like this and that is why it’s so exciting to be part of an organisation that R wants to invest heavily in Australia!”

OEM PARTNERSHIPS

Preferred China Partner In the biggest vehicle market on the planet, Mercedes-Benz has shown its trust in PPG by appointing it ‘Preferred China Partner’.

shared focus on technological innovation and a premium result has seen Mercedes-Benz and PPG establish a close long-term relationship which spans the globe. For well over two decades, PPG has been a key supplier to Mercedes-Benz’s worldwide network of vehicle manufacturing plants by delivering a full spectrum of coatings products, including ZircoBond® Pretreatment, Enviro-Prime Electrocoat, materials for the compact primer-less paint system and a wide variety of basecoat colours, as well as clearcoat. Indeed, the partnership has been responsible for the development of coatings technology breakthroughs, such as PPG’s CERAMICLEAR® mar and scratch resistant clearcoat. What’s more, the two organisations actually hold annual ‘Innovation Days’ where Mercedes-Benz and PPG come together to brainstorm new ideas and refine ongoing projects.

At the same time, PPG’s premium refinish products, including the advanced ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat system, have also been issued with Mercedes-Benz Global Technical Approval.

To mark PPG's ‘Preferred China Partner’ milestone, Mercedes-Benz executives got together with PPG staff members, (left) Kent Liu, Refinish Business Development Director of Motor Manufacturer and Key Accounts Greater China, (centre) Pauline Yuen, Vice President Refinish Asia and (right) James Yang, General Manager Refinish Greater China.

This means they are endorsed for the refinish of Mercedes-Benz vehicles all around the world, including in the local Australian and New Zealand markets. The relationship has further extended into the huge and ever-growing Chinese market where PPG supplies onsite technical support, along with the vast majority of paint materials to Mercedes-Benz’s production facilities. Recently, the collaboration stepped up a significant notch when a special delegation from Mercedes-Benz (China) presented PPG automotive refinish with the prestige vehicle maker’s official ‘Preferred China Partner’ plaque at the PPG Refinish Training Center, in Shanghai, China. This applies to all Daimler AG brands, including Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach and Smart. Being awarded Preferred China Partner further strengthens the partnership between the two organisations, says Pauline Yuen, PPG Vice President Refinish Asia. "Receiving the official plaque caused us to reflect upon how much the customer relies on us. It’s this kind of trust that keeps us going." She says that, since being awarded the three-year contract, PPG Refinish has been hard at work, ensuring continued delivery of toplevel products, colour solutions, service, training and value-added marketing to Mercedes-Benz and the Daimler group as a whole. "While the win has broadened our business portfolio as a whole, we are R humbled by this opportunity."

REFINISHER

SATA REFINISHER

Xmarks thespot Featuring the revolutionary SATA X-Nozzle System, the new SATAjet® X 5500 is the efficient, silent and consistent spray gun that can be tuned to perfectly suit your style.

ith its catchphrase, ‘as versatile as you’ the SATAjet® 5000 B spray gun set the tone for extraordinary flexibility, no matter who the painter is, and now the all new SATAjet X 5500 takes it to the next level. Indeed, by developing it in combination with the advanced SATA X-Nozzle System, SATA is now able to offer one spray gun which can be perfectly adapted to the needs of all kinds of painters, as well as all kinds of paint systems and applications conditions. Along with exceptional atomisation

that helps substantially reduce paint consumption, the SATAjet X 5500 features a thoroughly modern, sleek design developed in co-operation with the Porsche Design Studio, including a high quality anodised body with a black nozzle and cap.

Instant fan favourite A downside of current nozzle technology is that the size, shape and width of the spray fan and the available material flow rate tend to vary with the increase in nozzle size. This means the painter has

to make adjustments at each step to compensate. The aim of SATA’s research and development engineers is always to think outside the box in order to find new solutions. This saw them take up the technical challenge of designing an all new nozzle system that offered consistency across the spectrum and the result is the revolutionary SATA X-Nozzle System. It’s genuinely revolutionary because it makes SATA the first spray gun manufacturer to offer a nozzle system based on two distinct spray fan shapes which remain constant across the entire nozzle spectrum. Whichever of the spray fans you choose for your SATAjet X 5500, this advanced new nozzle system offers advantages that simply cannot be matched by conventional technology.

SATA X-Nozzles • Constant fan height and width across the entire nozzle spectrum • A linear increase in material flow rate as nozzle sizes increase • Constant material distribution with each specific fan shape across the entire nozzle spectrum • Easier nozzle selection thanks to the clear and effective system which allows either wetter or drier application, without changing the fan shape.

Features & benefits Efficient Provides considerable material savings under the same application conditions

Versatile Two fan shapes for each nozzle size helps meet every application requirement

Precise Optimised material distribution (for both spray fan shapes) for a more uniform and enhanced atomisation (see diagram below)

Individual Capable of matching any application requirement, including the properties of the paint material, the climatic conditions or the painting method (application speed and control)

Silent Thanks to the optimised airflow geometry of the Whispering Nozzle™, the noise level is reduced Low maintenance Without a separate air distribution insert, the cleaning process is easier and faster Revolutionary SATA X-Nozzle System takes atomisation to a whole new level

Within the SATA X-Nozzle System, painters can choose between HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) and RP (Reduced Pressure) technologies and between the two different spray fan shapes for each individual nozzle size. The names given to them are ‘parallel’ for I-nozzles and ‘oval’ for O-nozzles. Both have their own unique characteristics to cater to the preferences of different painter.

I-nozzle • Parallel spray fan with minimal dry zone • Improved control during application • Reduced film-build per coat

O-nozzle • Oval shaped spray fan with larger dry zone • Wet core for increased application speed No matter which nozzle size or fan shape suits your needs, you can purchase the SATAjet X 5500 in either the hugely popular DIGITAL version (with a convenient digital air pressure gauge built right into the gun handle) or the non-digital version.

Consistent Uniform fan size across the entire nozzle spectrum with linear increments of the material flow rate

SATA X-Nozzle selector HVLP and RP technologies

SATA

Choosing a SATAjet X 5500 is a clever move because it opens up the ability to tailor it perfectly to your individual requirements. A variety of factors will go into which of the

SATA X-Nozzles is the right one for you and, to help make your choice, SATA has come up with some useful selection tools which take these into account. It starts with a series of questions you need to ask: • Which technology (HVLP or RP) is recommended on the paint manufacturer’s Product Data Sheet? • Which SATA spray gun and nozzle set are currently being used? • What is the temperature and air humidity inside the spray booth? • In these application conditions, which nozzle set is recommended on the paint manufacturer’s Product Data Sheet? • What type of painter are you? • What film thickness must be achieved? Once you have answered these questions, it’s easy to go to the specific www.sata.com/ nozzlefinder page on the SATA website or take advantage of the SATA Nozzle Selector App. It can be downloaded for free to suit IOS or Android operating systems. The SATAjet X 5500, along with a selection of SATA spray equipment, is available from R approved SATA distributors.

REFINISHER

FEATURE STORY REFINISHER

Smooth torquer With a thumping, locally developed V12 and a raft of enhancements, including rich, deep PPG paintwork, the 2018 Sidchrome Project Car could be the perfect tool for your garage.

hat does motoring nirvana look and feel like? It’s fair to say it just might be found behind the wheel of Sidchrome’s latest project car. Now in its fourth consecutive year, the 2018 version of the promotional project run by the well-known tool brand is arguably the best ever. After a VW Combi in 2015, followed by a Python Vehicles Cobra in 2016 and a ’69 Mach 1 Mustang last year, the Sidchrome team went for an archetypal GM muscle car in the form of a ’69 Camaro. However, this would be no ordinary classic Camaro. Supported by a host of build partners, including PPG, it’s been packed with serious enhancements that ensure it goes, stops, rides, steers and

FEATURE STORY 17

handles like never before. With the opportunity to win this unique vehicle, the promotion speaks directly to the brand’s heartland, according to Nick Marshall, Trade Marketing Manager – Sidchrome. “The 2018 Sidchrome Project Car is about being able to put our brand, and the brands of our build partners, onto a unique piece of machinery. After last year’s Ford, we really wanted to do a two-door, GM muscle car and the result is a special car which spans the generations. It’s something a young bloke, as well as their dad or grandad can look at and say ‘this is seriously cool Camaro’. It also ties in nicely with the latest model Camaro being launched locally. Overall, it’s about appreciating a really cool car and the tools that go into assembling it. We have a very loyal customer base from the heavy industry and auto segment. For many, it’s a case of ‘my grandpa had Sidchrome tools, my dad used Sidchrome and I use Sidchrome.” When the base Camaro was sourced locally, it was mostly complete, looked good on the surface and appeared to just need a little TLC. However, once the dismantling process began, the surprises kept coming, explains Nick. “The body turned out to be a patchwork quilt of bits of steel – often paper thin – bog and tar. Pretty quickly we established that the whole firewall had to come out, then the floor and

then we found issues in the sills, the back quarter-panels and the boot floor. By the time we had taken all those pieces out, there was not much left. It got to the point where we literally looked at buying a new shell but there wasn’t one available in time!” With the body on the mend, the focus turned to the mechanicals. From the beginning the aim was to combine the legendary looks of a ’69 Camaro with the drivability of a modern car, with the engine being the headline act. It was a couple of years ago when brothers, Matt and Shane Corish, decided that if eight cylinders in a vee configuration is great, then 12 cylinders must be even better. Until then, their Melbourne-based business had been busy making specialised components for Mazda rotary engines. Under the new business name of V12LS, they took rock solid GM basics and created something very special, explains Shane Corish. “We wanted to build an engine that was interesting and we thought a V12 would be a real engineering challenge for us to show our skills. When you look around big shows, like SEMA, there are lots of high dollar custom builds just fitted with a ‘crate’ motor. We wanted to create an engine equally as ‘custom’ as the rest of the car.” While it might sound bizarre, the pair actually proved the concept would work by essentially cutting two cylinders off two late model GM LS series V8 engine blocks and welding them together! With this Frankenstein engine running successfully, they forged on, creating a pattern and casting their own 12-cylinder engine blocks from scratch, says Shane.

REFINISHER

FEATURE STORY REFINISHER

Smooth torquer

“The biggest challenge was the pattern design which I do using a computer CAD program. We made a lot of changes to the engine block but, while we were reinventing it, we were not reinventing the whole engine. The LS series is the most highly modified engine in the aftermarket scene so there is lots of off-the-shelf support, such as pistons, conrods, pushrods, lifters, etc. Our V12 has a better balanced bottom end than the V8 so it’s a smoother engine that makes very good power. We have built about half a dozen V12s so far and, although it’s a little more expensive than a high end, aftermarket V8, it’s really good technology so we are hoping to sell around one a month. It was a pretty straightforward fit into the Camaro because it could be bought from the factory with a six-cylinder so it has a fairly long nose.” Harrop Engineering also joined the party by supplying a raft of enhancements. As well as a massive brake package and a custom T O O L S T O TA K E O N T H E W O R L D

hile Sidchrome’s heritage goes back over 75 years, it’s actually part of the Stanley Black & Decker organisation which can trace its roots back to 1843 and is the largest manufacturer of mechanic’s tools in the world – bar none! It has a similar global footprint to PPG which also benefits the local operation. For example, the Sidchrome team can pick and choose the best technologies from across the business and fine tune products to suit the local market. No wonder Sidchrome remains one of the most trusted and popular tool brands on the market!

set of Forgeline alloy wheels, the company also designed and fabricated a one-off intake manifold with individual throttle bodies per cylinder, as seen on Supercars racing engines. Another key build partner was LRS, the GM division of Sydneybased RRS. For 20 years, RRS has made an international name for itself designing and manufacturing revolutionary suspension, steering and driving products for classic Fords. LRS is doing the same for classic GM models. As well as taking on the massive task of the body repairs, LRS developed some innovative and very cool suspension and steering technology, says Nick. “The aim was to bring the suspension and steering into the modern age and LRS / RRS were perfect for that. Out went the old steering box which was replaced with a custom LRS / RRS designed rack and pinion unit for much more accurate steering. LRS also designed a completely new front suspension that delivered zero bump steer, just like a modern car, while at the rear there is a three-link setup with a nine-inch diff. The final assembly work was done by the Preston Hire Racing Supercars team – when you think about it, they rebuild their cars after every race meeting so they were able to apply those skills to this awesome Camaro.”

“OUR V12 HAS A BETTER BALANCED BOTTOM END THAN THE V8 SO IT’S A SMOOTHER ENGINE THAT MAKES VERY GOOD POWER.”

BLACK OPS

When it came to formulating a suitable colour and providing all the products, PPG once again threw its support behind the project. After taking in the overall look, Nick admits the colour virtually chose itself. “When you look at Sidchrome’s heritage red colour, it’s typically accented with black. For the Camaro, we have a simple but very classy jet-black that has great depth and really suits the era of the car. When you match it up with the red accents, it makes a powerful statement.” Another innovation of this year’s project was the appointment of social media dynamo, Supercar Blondie, as its ambassador. Brisbane-born Alex Hirschi, is actually a real car person with an ideal connection to the target market demographic. As well as being a great presenter for the project videos Supercar Blondie has been able to bring her 4.8 million Facebook followers and two million Instagram followers along for the ride!

chieving the classic jet-black finish called for a straightforward restoration style process but with a twist, according to PPG NSW Territory Manager, George Syder. “The bare metal shell was hit with VCP150 Epoxy Urethane Primer and then filled where necessary. Then the whole job was blocked with a long-board which is a great way to get a really straight car. It was then reprimed with VCP250 High Build Primer and sanded again. It’s here that this job is a little different. A set of stickers needed to be applied but they won’t stick to basecoat so the job was done in Direct Gloss (DG). After the DG Black was applied, it was check-rubbed and recoated before the stickers were applied. Finally, the whole job was clearcoated, sanded and then flowcoated. The result is a terrific street car paint finish for a car that is designed to be driven!”

Interestingly, when asked about the project’s biggest challenge, Nick reckons it wasn’t the unique engine, the major body issues or any of the other 101 enhancements. “The #1 challenge? Engineering. You can’t just stick a big engine in a car and drive it on the road. Everything had to be in place to not only ensure it was going to be safe but also that it could be registered for the road.” By the time you read this, one lucky person will have won this sensational machine and parked it in their own driveway. Nick is adamant, it will be a special tool to enjoy. “This Camaro might have an 8.2 litre V12 under the bonnet but, with fuel injection and a drive-by-wire throttle controlled by a Haltech management system, it will be tame and very drivable but an animal when you want it to be. Factor in the locally developed steering, suspension, brakes and driveline upgrades and this is one incredible package. Essentially, we had a Supercars team assembling a supercar, with Supercar Blondie as the host and some R super build partners supporting it!”

REFINISHER

TALKING TRAINING REFINISHER

A clean winner Getting the fundamentals right helps lay the foundation for a far more consistent quality result from your refinish process and it all starts with cleaning.

leaning a panel at the start of a refinish job might seem like a very basic task and it is but it’s also the step which sets the tone for the entire process and the final finish. This makes it well worth getting right, says John Hristias, PPG Business Support Manager Asia / Pacific.

Cleaning has changed – have you kept up? We emphasise the need to keep up with the latest techniques across all of your processes and cleaning panels is a good example. Some people are very ‘relaxed’ about how they perform this task and they end up getting it wrong which can cause time-wasting issues, including reworks. In the past, the process typically only involved solvent-type cleaners, such as Prepsol. However, the swing to waterborne refinish systems saw water-metho cleaner (a 50:50 mix of water and methylated spirits) added to the cleaning process, even for a solvent-borne paint system. These days, we also have a much better understanding of how the oils in our skin causes contamination to a panel.

Protect yourself and the job I am not sure whether people who clean without wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are doing it to appear tough or they are

just being lazy. Either way, it’s not very clever. Given it involves solvent-based cleaning agents, it should be safety glasses and latex gloves every time. Contamination – Why clean a surface if you then touch it again with your skin, even if it’s by accident? Gloves prevent the oils from the skin getting onto the panel where they can cause potential quality issues. Skin – Wearing gloves is not just about preventing contamination. Whether it’s wax & grease remover, Prepsol, water-metho or another cleaning agent, they all have a negative effect on human skin. Typically, they dry out the skin and can even penetrate into the bloodstream. Ignition – Recently, we have seen several dangerous instances where a new e-coat part was being cleaned in low humidity conditions and a build up of static electricity has ignited the solvent-based cleaning fluid. Wearing latex gloves provides a barrier to stop the static electricity build up.

Best practice cleaning Here, we cover the four main substrates a collision centre will deal with on a day-today basis. For three of them – e-coat parts, sanded primer and blend panels – the cleaning process is the same, while for plastic parts, it’s a little different.

TALKING TRAINING 21

E-coat parts, sanded primer and blend panels • Clean thoroughly with watermetho cleaner, such as PPG SWX250 Water-Methylated Spirits Cleaner. • Follow up with solventbased cleaner, such as PPG’s Prepsol, wax & grease remover, etc. • These cleaners tend to dry quite quickly but do not let them dry on the panel. They hold contaminants in suspension so they can be removed but, if the cleaner dries, contaminants are deposited back on the surface. • Use a clean cloth to apply the cleaner and then remove it with another clean cloth. Keep turning the cloth after each wipe so the next wipe is done with a clean area of cloth – replace the cloth if necessary. This avoids wiping contaminants back onto the surface. • Keep wiping the surface until the cleaning agent is completely gone. • Finish with a final wipe using a dry, clean cloth over the whole surface.

Plastic parts • Start with water-metho cleaner, such as PPG SWX250 Water-Methylated Spirits Cleaner, and use a grey scourer to help remove waterborne mould release agent. • The second step is to use a clean cloth to apply a specific plastic cleaner, such as

PPG D846, to remove any final contaminants and mould release agent. This type of cleaner is specially formulated to dry quickly so that it does not absorb into the pores of the plastic. • One mistake people make is to wipe the plastic cleaner over the surface but then let it dry. These cleaners are designed to lift contamination so, if it’s allowed to evaporate, those contaminants just fall back onto the surface, potentially leaving wipe marks, silicon marks and other issues that lead to rework. • Use a clean cloth to remove the cleaner – turn it after each wipe so you are always using a clean area of cloth. This avoids wiping contaminants back onto the surface. • Keep wiping the surface until the cleaning agent is completely gone. • Do a final wipe using a dry, clean cloth over the whole surface.

Water-metho convenience It’s possible to prepare your own water-metho mix but you will need de-mineralised, de-ionised water and do you really want the hassle? Better to take advantage of PPG’s convenient, pre-mixed solution, SWX250 Water-Methylated Spirits Cleaner, that guarantees the quality of the ingredients and ensures the mix is always in the correct R proportions.

REFINISHER

TRAINING REFINISHER

Vestey investment O

ngoing skills development is not only crucial for workshop productivity, it’s also a fundamental ingredient for a long and rewarding career in the collision repair industry and, for literally thousands of people, PPG’s Auckland Training Centre, at 5 Vestey Drive, has played a key role. As part of PPG’s regional training network, the facility has hosted a wide range of courses over the years – everything from information sessions

for insurance company personnel, through to high level technician training. PPG’s recent investment in a total revamp will keep it on top of its game, says NZ Training Manager, Luke Cosford. “Although the equipment was still operating well, we felt the Vestey Drive training facility should reflect the industry’s best, in terms of high productivity and energy efficient equipment, for several

After long being a centre for learning and upskilling, major upgrades to the Auckland training facility will ensure its cutting-edge training services continue well into the future. reasons. First, it highlights to customers the benefits of looking at what the latest technology can do for you and the advantages of reinvesting in new equipment. Another factor is that this leading-edge new training facility is the perfect place to showcase PPG’s advanced technology product range.” Key upgrades centre around a new booth, a double prep bay and a new tint / mixing room. Naturally, the booth is full downdraft but it also features LED lighting, a fully programmable touchscreen interface and an inbuilt air turbulence system. By breaking up the lamina airflow within the booth, it distributes hot air evenly around the cabin to promote quicker cure times, particularly in the lower extremities of the job. A high capacity, SATA three-stage air filtration unit supplies the booth but has been installed outside for practicality and easy servicing. To prevent air hoses lying about the place, they have all been installed on retractable hose reels. Across the whole training facility, the emphasis is on utilising lean methodologies, according to Luke.

TRAINING 23

“Throughout the design process, I have been able to use many of the lessons I have learnt through all the lean training programs I have done with PPG over the past few years. I have tried to keep things minimalist with the aim of having everything we need easily to hand but nothing we do not need creating clutter. As part of that we have deliberately finished the new tint room with stark white tiles and stainless steel surfaces. Not only does it look really minimalist, it’s also a reason to make sure it’s kept spotlessly clean. The tint room features plenty of glass and the booth has glass front and sides so it’s a very visual demonstration / training environment where it’s easy for people to see what is going on.” “Perhaps the biggest asset from this revamp is the new double prep bay. Combined with the new booth, I essentially have two areas in which to conduct training. Fitted out with infrared and UV light units on a rail system, as well as integrated dustless sanding units complete with MIRKA sanders and abrasives, it’s the perfect place to showcase modern repair techniques and effectives ways to tackle smaller repairs with speed and end quality. Rather than just do test panels, we are also looking to incorporate ‘live’ jobs so it will be more like real workshop conditions.” As well as providing a state-of-theart location to conduct refinish training, the heavily revamped facility will also be a valuable resource for the entire company. For example, it will further help to support PPG’s very large commercial

transport customer base when it comes to maintaining fleet livery colours and specifications across New Zealand. In addition, it’s a facility that PPG Territory Managers can take advantage of whenever necessary. Training courses commenced in the new facility in early 2019 and a wide spread of courses is once again on offer to customers, says Luke.

“A typical course would be ‘Introduction to Envirobase’ but it could just as easily be training on ‘Delfleet High Solids’, ‘SMART repairs’, ‘Refinishing plastics’ or ‘UV priming’. One of the most popular courses at the moment is on Mazda 46V Soul Red Crystal application and it’s the same for Mazda 46G Machine Grey. PPG has the ready-to-go colour capability to match these colours and here we can show technicians the exact process and give them the confidence that, if they follow it, they will consistently achieve an excellent match.” More than ever, Luke believes PPG’s Auckland Training Centre is the ideal place to upskill a changing workforce. “When a collision centre employs a painter from overseas or a less experience tradesperson, they want them up to speed ASAP and the best place to do that is here in the training centre, away from distractions. With all the new equipment here, we can also be very efficient with our training methods so that customers get their technicians with the skills they need as quickly as possible. That is a big win for collision centre owners and technicians!” R

REFINISHER

MVP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS REFINISHER

Plan to succeed

The saying goes, ‘if you fail to plan, Setting out your business plan Many people can be put off because they you plan to fail’, and this has never believe a business plan needs to be a long been truer than when running a and complex document. It can be but it does not need to be. The basic idea is to include competitive business in the modern as much or as little detail as you need to collision repair industry. make the document worthwhile. You, or

TARGETS FOR THE NEXT 12 MONTHS

FIVE YEAR BUSINESS PLAN

magine the coach of a major sporting team without a plan to win, a military general without a plan to defeat an enemy or a pilot without a flight plan – you would not expect any of them to last too long. To that list you can also add business owners / managers and this includes collision repair, says Greg Tunks, MVP Business Solutions Manager ANZ.

Why you need a business plan Most collision centre owners are goal driven people which makes you wonder why many put the preparation of a business plan in the ‘too hard basket’ and operate from year to year without one. Lacking a plan to guide the business, you are essentially rudderless and at the mercy of events going on around you. This scenario should not really happen, particularly given that we already set plans for ourselves. It might be something like paying off the mortgage by a certain time, planning for a big overseas trip or retiring at a particular age. However, business planning is arguably more important. In basic terms, a business plan is about taking the goals and aims out of your head, solidifying them and formalising them in a document. This instantly gives the business direction – rather than plugging away aimlessly – and makes us accountable for following the plan. Typically, this helps us to achieve any goals more quickly than if they were not formalised.

someone else, should be able to refer back to it in the future and find enough information to clearly understand what the goals are and how you aim to achieve them. A good business plan would also be multi-faceted – generally, you would include short term goals to be achieved in the next 12 months, medium term goals for around the three year mark and longer term goals out to around five years. Unless you have specific goals, it’s probably not worth going beyond five years. The goals themselves can be pretty much anything you see as part of the business’ future. For example, part of the plan might be to invest in new equipment, a new facility or upgrades to existing facilities to enhance productivity. Another scenario could be a plan to grow the business which could mean securing the necessary workflow and ensuring staff have the required skillsets to handle it. A financial plan should be a key part of the overall business plan. Amazingly, many collision repair centres turnover in excess of a million dollars a year, yet they do not know what sales value the business needs to generate each month just to ensure they make even one dollar of profit!

Who to involve For a start, it’s probably a good idea to include your accountant in any business planning, even if you draw it up yourself and forward it to them for checking. What further sort of advice you need to seek or

who you get directly involved will depend on what your goals are. For instance, if one of your goals is to build a new facility or make major changes to the existing one, it would make sense to get experts involved, such as builders or architects. If you are looking to grow your business, you could even get your work provider involved. It could be about opening up discussions along the lines of: I am looking to grow my business, is there a way I can support your customers and you support me in the form of work supply?

MVP BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 25

Get support from MVP Business Solutions When it comes to a financial plan or a business plan, this is something the members of the region MVP Business Solutions team is regularly involved in and would be happy to support any customer. Your local MVP Business Solutions Manager can work with you to thrash out ideas and help solidify exactly what details you want to include in

your business plan. Even if you are only after advice, they can be great for bouncing ideas off because their wide-ranging experience means they have potentially seen similar circumstance elsewhere and are aware of potential pitfalls. Perhaps best of all, they can cast an external set of eyes onto the business. Many business owners have a strong emotional connection which can tend to cloud their judgement, whereas your MVP Business Solutions Manager can give impartial, non-emotional input.

Business planning is just one of the many services available under PPGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MVP Business Solutions program. For more information, speak to your MVP Business Solutions Manager or call the PPG Customer Service Hotline 13 24 24 (Aust) R or 0800 320 320 (NZ).

REFINISHER

PPG PEOPLE REFINISHER

PPG Staff Profile

MichaelSparrow I

n 2009, having just taken on the role of Automotive Coatings Business Manager, Michael called on his very first customer. It was Ford’s Campbellfield manufacturing plant in Melbourne and he remembers being a bit nervous but also justifiably confident. He had spent the first 10 years of his PPG career in operations, eventually managing four plants in Australia and New Zealand, including the large and diverse Clayton facility. Michael was eager to utilise his experience and show customers he understood their challenges and could help them achieve their goals. Then came the customer’s first question, ‘What car do you drive?’ Realising the importance of his answer, Michael was relieved to say he had, in fact, arrived behind the wheel of a Ford. However the experience drilled home a lesson he has never forgotten – know your customer.

General Manager Protective and Marine, Industrial and Packaging Coatings ANZ

Favourite hobbies /pastimes? Playing and coaching basketball. Following any sport. Favourite food? Italian Favourite drink? Beer Favourite music / band? Cold Chisel Favourite car / motorcycle? Mustang Favourite holiday destination? Exploring new locations with a deep history

“As a plant manager, I was the person in control but when you walk into a customer’s plant, you’re there to serve them. You need to go into the meeting knowing the customer’s culture and what’s important to them.” Having gotten off on the right foot, the local Ford relationship led to PPG capturing business at new Ford plants in the Philippines, Thailand and India. With local vehicle manufacturing in decline, Michael took the helm of the Protective and Marine Coatings business for ANZ and, later, added Industrial and Packaging Coatings to his portfolio. He has demonstrated that the knowyour-customer approach could work just as well with a much more dispersed and varied customer base. “I try to be transparent and have a lot of discussions to make sure everyone is on the same page. The logic is pretty consistent across all of the businesses – make sure you have good processes, communicate a lot and put yourself in R the shoes of your customer.”

SATA REFINISHER

hood of Featuring unparalleled comfort combined with outstanding protection, the new SATA® air vision™ 5000 is the no compromise spray hood.

rom their first days at trade school, refinish painters are taught about the importance of using effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), particularly when spraying in the booth where solvents and overspray are at their most hazardous. Which makes you wonder why some technicians still choose to wear an inferior form of protection, rather than going with the safeguard of a good quality air-fed hood. By developing its all new SATA air vision 5000 to offer just as much comfort and convenience as it does protection, spray equipment specialist, SATA, is taking away any excuses for not using an air-fed hood. This new breathing protection system consists of the SATA air vision 5000 hood and a versatile belt unit which allows different add-on modules to be easily attached. For example, depending on the quality of the compressed air supply, there are two options for air regulation units – either the SATA air regulator or the SATA air carbon regulator which also includes an activated charcoal absorber. Of course, it also comes with SATA’s unmatched level of protection where the wearer’s entire head, including eyes, hair and skin, is effectively shielded from solvents, overspray and other contaminents.

Unparalleled comfort No matter what your past experience is with air-fed hoods, the clever design and thoughtful features of the new SATA air vision 5000 will ensure you experience an all new level of comfort and a perfect fit.

SATA 29

its time

• Fit – The new head mounting system can be adapted to fit every individual head shape with easy individual adjustment for circumference, height and position. In addition, a rigid skull cap has been built-in to increase safety when working in tight spaces. • Vision – Thanks to the new ergonomic pressure design, the wearer enjoys a very generous inside the hood, field of vision through the large, lowin order to further reflection visor shield. Indeed, it’s almost prevent overspray and 50% larger than the SATA vision 2000! contaminants from penetrating. • Quiet, easy breathing – Inside the • Low volume warning – Should the hood, a new soft stream breathing air incoming air volume fall below the required distribution system has been tuned for minimum threshold, a built-in acoustic optimised comfort, while also reducing air warning signal will activate to alert the consumption and the noise level to just wearer. 64 dB(A). If this arrangement does not Clever convenience features suit you, there is even an optional plug-in diffusor to provide an alternative air flow It’s not just comfort and protection that inside the hood. excel with the SATA air vision 5000 – the • Tune to your conditions – Two optional development team has packed the complete accessories – the SATA air warmer and system full of thoughtful features. the SATA air humidifier – mount quickly • Belt – The modular design of the extraand easily onto the belt to further enhance large and comfortably cushioned belt unit breathing in cooler or drier conditions. makes it simple to adapt and upgrade with • Quick fit band – The comfort band optional accessories (such as the SATA air cushioning the forehead can be mounted warmer and SATA air humidifier) to suit the in just a few seconds and a second one job requirements. on the rear can be added if required, thus helping to keep the hood hygienically clean and comfortable at all times.

Exceptional protection Safety and protection are the fundamental roles of any spray hood but the SATA air vision 5000 has been completely redesigned to take them to the next level. • Full coverage – The way the visor fits snuggly against the face, as well as the precisely tailored head cloth ensures full coverage of the wearer’s head and neck. • Positive pressure – Using the recommended air pressure setting creates a slight positive

• Your choice of left or right – Modules, as well as the chosen air regulator (SATA air regulator or the SATA air carbon regulator) can be quickly and easily switched from the left to right of the belt or vice versa, depending on the user’s preference – perfect for left or right handers! • Swivel to suit – To ensure it sits in the perfect position, it’s possible to swivel and adjust the air regulator by up to 45°. • Hooked – What do you do with your SATA air vision 5000 during pauses in the work process? Simply remove it and hook it onto the clever fold-out support arm which has been conveniently integrated in the SATA air regulator. This leaves the painter’s hands free and there is no need to disconnect the hood from the belt unit. • SATA CCS (Colour Code System) – Just as it makes spray gun identification easy, the SATA CCS can also do the same for your respirator hood and SATA air regulator. Identifying each painter’s equipment with coloured disc helps avoid confusion when several hoods are being used in the shop. The SATA air vision 5000 comes with a 12-month warranty and is supported by a full range of spare parts. Along with the SATA air vision 5000, a comprehensive range of SATA® spray equipment is available from your approved SATA distributor. R

REFINISHER

PPG FLEETPOOL REFINISHER

Signing on to Written Off

WRITTEN OFF HEAVY VEHICLE REGISTER

WOHVR

A landmark NSW Government announcement has paved the way for an Australia-wide ‘Written Off Heavy Vehicle Register’ that is set to make the nation’s roads safer.

hen the light vehicle Written Off Vehicle Register (WOVR) came into effect around nine years ago, many of those in the Australian heavy vehicle repair industry thought it would simply be a matter of time before a Written Off Heavy Vehicle Register (WOHVR) followed suit. It was a matter of time but, unfortunately, it was quite a long time. This saw the peak body representing commercial vehicle

PPG FLEETPOOL 31

accident repair specialists, the Australian Heavy Vehicle Repairers Association (AHVRA), lobbying hard for the introduction of this important legislation. In early December 2018, it finally paid off, according to AHVRA Chairman, Richard Nathan. “The situation presented a real danger to all road users, as there has been little or no control over the repairs to heavy vehicles which have been written off after an accident. These vehicles would regularly be sold at auction and many then went on to have shortcut, cosmetic-type repairs done before being on-sold to unsuspecting transport operators. From the truck owner / operator’s perspective, there was no record of repaired write offs to allow them to check if the vehicle they were purchasing had been written off. Basically, you had cheap and nasty repair jobs – sometimes using stolen parts – being used to put up to 90 tonne monsters back on the road without checks being done on crucial components. These parts, such as the steering box, front axle, king pins, steering and pitman arms and turntables, are typically put under a lot of stress during an accident and this can cause fine cracks which are invisible to the naked eye but can fail catastrophically at some point down the track.” “A lot of credit needs to go to Melinda Pavey, the NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight. When the AHVRA laid the shocking statistics on the table in front of her, she acted very quickly. Under the minister’s direction, Transport NSW did a marvellous job of putting together an expert reference group who worked hard on developing a ‘damage assessment criteria’ for the classification of heavy vehicle write offs. Importantly, this has put the framework in place for this to become national legislation.” The outstanding result clearly highlights the importance of industry groups as a means of identifying issues and providing a catalyst for change. While the AHVRA was instrumental in getting the WOHVR legislation off the ground, Richard points out that other groups also played a key role, including the PPG FleetPool Network – itself a region-wide network of independent commercial vehicle refinishers and repairers

who specialise in the repair, re-livery and refurbishment of heavy vehicles, including trucks, buses, trailers and other heavy equipment. “The majority of AHVRA members are also part of the PPG FleetPool Network and there are strong relationships across both organisations. There is also a very close relationship with PPG, as a supporter of the industry, with the PPG team organising a number of events throughout the year. Whether it’s forums, FleetPool committee meetings, newsletters or conferences, both the AHVRA and FleetPool provide opportunities for many of the country’s leading heavy vehicle repairers to get together and discuss issues, such as the WOHVR.” “The key factor in this vital legislation is that it stops bodgie backyard repairs by non-compliant shops. If the vehicle is

repairable, the client gets the vehicle repaired correctly and it gives buyers peace-of-mind when purchasing a heavy vehicle. Most important of all, is that the general public is protected because poorly repaired heavy vehicles are kept off the road.”

What the WOHVR legislation means • If a heavy vehicle (over 4.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass) is assessed as a ‘total loss’, it must be written-off. In doing so, it is classified and recorded on the WOHVR as either a ‘statutory’ write off or a 'repairable’ write off. • Vehicle insurers, self-insurers, recyclers and dealers each have responsibility to update the Register. • If it’s assessed as a statutory write off, a heavy vehicle cannot be repaired or re-registered and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Chassis Number is permanently cancelled. The vehicle can still be bought and sold but only for use as spare parts or scrap. • A repairable write off is a vehicle that has been assessed as a total loss but can be safely repaired. • Repairs to a vehicle that has been assessed as a repairable write off can only by performed by a licensed / accredited heavy vehicle repairer in an accredited workshop. On completion, the licensed repairer will issue a Heavy Vehicle Certificate of Compliance which contains a declaration that repairs have been done according to the manufacturer’s repair guidelines or in accordance with standards which are accepted by the industry. • For more information go to www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-industry/heavy-vehicles/written-offheavy-vehicles/index.html R

REFINISHER

Southern

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A positive attitude and a focus on skills development and a quality end result has seen Southern Smash Repairs achieve award winning recognition.

eing singled out as the Tasmanian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (TACC) Large Body Repairer of the Year is an impressive accomplishment for any business in Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s southernmost state. However, repeating that feat three times in a row is taking it to another level altogether. Southern Smash Repairs, located in Kingston, about 10 minutes south of the Hobart CBD, kicked off its winning streak in 2016, before backing it up in 2017 and then registering a three-peat by taking out the prestigious award again in 2018. According to the TACC, the award is designed to recognise an exceptional

commitment to customers, staff, training and the local community which just happens to fit perfectly with the Southern Smash Repairs philosophy, says Justin Polley, who runs the business with his wife, Rebecca. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I believe the standard of workmanship and quality result we strive for, together with the patience and care we show to all our customers, is a huge part of where our business is today. From way back when I was an apprentice, it was a dream of mine to run my own repair shop. Rebecca and I spent 14 months travelling around Australia and I was able to work as a panel beater in every state and territory. Not only did it get me even more fired up about having my own business, it also gave me lots of valuable knowledge because each tradesman and each shop I worked in did things a little bit differently. By the time we returned to Tasmania in April 2003 we were able to use that experience to make this business happen.â&#x20AC;? Southern Smash Repairs started from scratch in July 2003 in a little workshop on

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Browns Road in Kingston. Despite moving twice more as the business rapidly grew, it has always been on Browns Road! For the final move, the couple purchased a former Dunlop Foams factory which provides a spacious workshop of nearly 2400m², complete with a cleaning facility out the back and three extra sheds that are rented out but can be used for future expansion. In the early days, the workflow was mostly made up of cars and anything else that came through the door, including oddball jobs such as a four-metre-high golden Buddha! When her father bought a truck, it helped tip the balance, explains Rebecca. “We had been doing a few trucks, then my father bought one which Justin repaired and repainted and the result was pretty exciting. We had the capacity and Justin the best for us and PPG could also offer a has the knowledge so it made us think it perfect solution for trucks with DELFLEET® was something we wanted to do more of. Evolution. As well as a more cost-effective We still do plenty of cars but trucks now plan, PPG and Motors give us much more make up the majority of our work. We have support and communication. Steve Jackson a massive workshop so we have the space (CT Manager VIC / TAS) from PPG will to easily move trucks around. Down the spend a couple of days doing training with back there are two spray ovens, three prep our paint team to help sharpen their skills bays and a truck booth.” and improve process efficiency. If we need Whether it’s a car, a truck or anything any technical guidance, Nick (Dale) from else, it gets coated in PPG products. Motors, or one of the PPG guys The partnership with PPG and local distributor, S H O P FA C T S Motors Hobart, began just over three years ago. Southern Smash Repairs “For a start it Owners: Justin and Rebecca Polley was about going to Staff: 18 waterborne. Justin did PPG Product: Delfleet Evolution and his research and found Envirobase High Performance that ENVIROBASE® Territory Manager: Steve Jackson High Performance was

is always there on the phone. Switching to PPG has also given us the opportunity to work with Mindy Roberts from PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team. Basically, she has been able to make an assessment of our procedures and then offer suggestions on where we can improve. She is also there for business mentoring whenever we need it and she is even helping with our push for Green Stamp Approval.” Southern Smash Repairs has expanded to the point where it now has 18 staff, including Justin and Rebecca. Like most repairers, it’s difficult to find skilled staff which is why they have chosen to focus on apprentices and a positive training regime for all staff, says Rebecca.

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“Justin is very fussy so he has made a commitment to train our staff. We find qualified technicians who come here tend not to have as high a standard as we would like so Justin works with them to teach them the little bits and pieces that others might look past. With apprentices, he teaches them a strong work ethic right from the start. It’s a really great trait of Justin’s that he is very positive and encouraging rather than pointing out negatives. I think that is one reason why our apprentices have done so well – he gets them onto live jobs early and builds them up to a high standard.” It’s difficult to argue with the results from Southern Smash Repairs' apprentices. In 2017, Ross McCarthy won the PPG National Colour Matching Competition and Jacob Direen was awarded Best Vehicle Body Repairer Apprentice. Another apprentice, Brodie Schrapel, also took out Apprentice of the Year, as did Justin in his 1st year and again in his 3rd year. Having a skilled team around him makes it much easier to run an efficient shop. Every morning there is a ‘toolbox meeting’ where Justin and his foreman, Luke, explain the plan for the day. Everything is geared towards providing clear directions for the team. A daily job schedule ensures everyone can see which vehicles need to go out that day and provides target stages for other jobs. As a result, each team member has

all the information they need to keep jobs moving without wasting time looking for instructions. In the early days, Rebecca worked in her day job as a dental nurse and then in the business in the evening. Switching to fulltime in the business brought added benefits. “Justin and I work really well together and when we talk about work at home in the evening, I actually know what he is talking about. In fact, it’s nice to be able to bounce ideas off each other – it’s how we troubleshoot. The biggest challenge is time – Justin works six days a week so cloning him would be nice! There are downsides to living in Tassie – such as the cost and time to freight things from the mainland – but it’s a small price to pay. Our home is about two minutes’ drive from the workshop, the countryside is beautiful, it’s not as busy and people are so much more laid back. We have become just like a big family – not just with staff but also with our customers. Our work comes from all over the state and that is because of Justin’s reputation for attention to detail and the quality of the end finish. Customers really appreciate it and the people will even bring him biscuits and cakes, etc. I cannot tell you how often Justin gets hugged by customers – it’s hilarious!” R

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The Refinisher Vol61 Issue 1 2019

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