Posts from — September 2008

Another Collision Repair Shop Goes Green!

I flew up to Grand Prairie, Alberta this Monday to assist in converting another collision shop to PPG’s Envirobase HP. Doug, Jason and myself were in GPI Collision today to set up this clean and modern collision shop with the proven water system from the leader in water borne base coat. The installation took us less than a half a day and we were ready to mix and spray Envirobase. Western Paint Supply and PPG work closely together to maximize our time setting up the system and minimizing the down time for the shop and painter. We like to properly install the paint system and watch a short twenty five minute video to inform the painter of the do’s and don’ts when spraying water borne paint. Then we get to the fun part of the switch over, the spraying.

With the painter currently spraying PPG Global Basecoat the switch to water will be a snap. We will train the painter a full day and then leave him be to apply the paint on his own. I feel that a painter that has a good grasp on PPG clears and sealers has an easy time using the new water base paint. He already knows the full line of PPG products and the water is the only process he needs to learn. I look forward to putting a smile on his face tomorrow as we spray the best water borne paint on the market today.

I will follow up on this article and inform you on how the painter liked the transition. I will also get a testimonial from the painter and get his opinion. Stay tuned and I will post his answers and testimonial as soon as we are finished the training.

PPG is ready when you are

The move to waterborne requires careful planning to ensure the quality and productivity of the paint repair operation is maintained with minimal interruption. It all begins with gaining an understanding of waterborne technology and the key steps and considerations that must be taken into account for making a smooth transition from solvent borne.

 
Experience has demonstrated that collision centers achieving the most success in transitioning to a PPG waterborne basecoat are those who have taken advantage of PPG’s “Convert with Confidence” process. This initiative supports and underscores the need for proper planning, technician training and the right equipment required to make a smooth, seamless transition. Taking advantage of this process, you can receive all the support, training, and advice required to make a timely, seamless move to a PPG waterborne
system.

Conversion planning guide

PPG’s step-by-step “Convert with Confidence” Waterborne Conversion Planning Guide is a comprehensive guide to understanding and planning for the move to waterborne basecoat. This helpful guide covers all the tasks involved in the conversion process, and provides detailed timetables and checklists to follow—so there are no surprises on conversion day. To obtain a copy of this guide, contact your local distributor. There are two versions available: one specific for California and Canada (PPG part number CARBPGC), and one for the rest of North America (part number CARBNAT).

Seminars for owners & managers

PPG “Convert with Confidence” seminars are being conducted across North America. Designed for body shop owners and managers, this seminar covers everything a shop needs to know about the planning and implementation of a PPG waterborne system—from understanding the technology and supplemental air movement equipment requirements to workflow planning and waste stream management. Following the
seminar, your PPG distributor or territory manager will work with you to schedule a conversion date and provide the support you need. Your territory manager can assist in determining when a “Convert with Confidence” seminar will be held in a location nearest your facility.

Technician training

While technicians will find PPG waterborne basecoat easy to apply and blend, it’s critical that they receive the proper training prior to conversion, since the technology does require different application techniques.
PPG offers a comprehensive, one-day training course to ensure paint technicians are ready and skilled at refinishing with waterborne basecoat. The course provides both classroom and hands-on instruction which covers everything technicians will need to know about waterborne technology and the proper application of your new system. Topics covered include: Product System Overview, Application Techniques, Spot Repair & Blending, Product Tips (Do’s & Don’ts) Equipment Requirements, Environmental, Health & safety Issues waste Handling, Color Adjustment. The Waterborne Conversion Planning Guide will help you develop a workflow plan to accommodate your technician training schedule.

On-site training

When your conversion day arrives, PPG will provide on-site training to ensure the paint operation gets up and running smoothly without disruption. To supplement the offsite training your technicians have already received, PPG will provide additional support to make sure they are proficient with our waterborne color tools,TouchMix software,and anything else you need.

A team effort

From day one in setting your conversion plan in action, it is important to work in conjunction with your distributor and PPG’s support team to insure a smooth and successful transition to this exciting new technology. By working together, your business will quickly be enjoying the many benefits of water borne.

Estimate refinish times will not change for waterborne paint

I have been reading a lot of articles across the internet lately and I came along a great article talking about how the two major estimate programs will use the same refinish times for water borne base coat as they used for solvent base coat. Apparently both companies have done independent studies on water base and have concluded the times will remain the same. For me as a painter this will increase my productivity as water borne base is faster drying than solvent base coat.

Canada’s two main providers of estimating systems have concluded that the refinish times in their databases do not need to be adjusted for waterborne basecoat. Mitchell International has performed studies comparing the two systems. Mitchell has studied the effects of waterborne paint systems vs. solvent borne paint and concluded that our current published labor times were in line with the actual time spent performing the required tasks for refinish with either system.

Audatex reports that its refinish times are suitable for either refinish method. Rick Turri, an Audatex executive, says in the latest edition of Audatex Directions: “Audatex around the world and specifically in North America has sufficient data to provide assurance that the refinish times in the estimating system apply to both waterborne and solvent-based refinish systems.”

In the booth air is used to dry the water base so the more air flow used to dry the base, the faster it will dry. I use a hand held Iwata air blower for one or two panel repairs and I use two blowers on a tree stand for larger refinish jobs. Proper heat and sufficient air flow lets me not leave the paint booth between coats of base. So the moral of the story for the flat rate painter is water borne is faster so more money goes into your pocket.