Posts from — August 2009

For many years PPG has worked closely with Lamborghini to develop colors that will enhance the design of these prestigious Italian automobiles. The introduction of PPG’s matte finishes created specifically for Lamborghini is set to be the latest automotive fashion style.

Lamborghini was one of the leaders of this trend when it introduced the Black Gallardo in 2006, featuring matte-black body parts. Following this initiative, a growing number of automakers are now using matte finish to highlight particular car body details. PPG is the exclusive supplier to Lamborghini for the matte colors. Lamborghini only recommends the use of PPG products when repairing matte colors.
The exciting progression of matte colors is a direct result of the close collaboration between Lamborghini and PPG Refinish. This led to the development of PPG’s new D8113 clear matte coat, designed to create a sports car effect and to accentuate these models’ style.

“All of our matte and special color cars are hand painted. We had to find a product that would not only ensure the aesthetic quality sought by our designers, but also meet the high performance standards required. PPG supported us once again, as it has done throughout the years of our collaboration during all the development stages: from product engineering to quality tests and training program for our Customer Support points,” says Claudio Nannetti, Quality Manager at Automobili Lamborghini. “The Lamborghini/PPG partnership is extremely successful and has led to excellent results. In over twenty years, we developed many painting processes for a range of different materials, from aluminums to composites, and countless finishes, including four-coat and matte finishes. Today, we are ready for new challenges and new research projects.”

This partnership also involves Lamborghini’s global support network. Achieving the special matte effect that enhances the car’s allure requires specific repair cycles and the use of dedicated, reliable, high-performing products. To ensure that its network was able to make repairs that would maintain and reinforce the brand’s high-quality reputation, a worldwide training program, focusing on matte colors, was initiated for all body shops specializing in the repair of these prestigious automobiles. This ensures that the repairs are carried out by specialized workshops after receiving specific training through PPG’s training centers worldwide, confirming once again the exclusive nature of these models and of matte finish.

Developed by PPG technicians and approved by Lamborghini, these training sessions, focused on the matte finish repair process, are designed to expand the operators’ skills in the use of specific painting systems and to allow them to learn techniques that ensure the best final result. Special attention has been placed on the repair of Nemesis black matte paint, one of the hardest to achieve, and on matte clearcoat application and drying time. The course has been shared with all PPG training centers worldwide, creating a unique Lamborghini matte color repair network.

To reinforce its total technical support, PPG also developed a manual, approved by the Lamborghini After sales organization, dedicated to the network of body shops specializing in Lamborghini vehicles worldwide and can be accessed by the entire global repair network. This details specific products to be used in each geographical area, depending on different regulations or logistic reasons.