The Auto Body Blog

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.

Automotive Refinish has announced the formation of a strategic alliance with American Honda and its new Body Shop Recognition Program. American Honda has approved the credentials of PPG’s Certified First Network and MVP Business Solutions programs as qualifying refinish supplier performance programs.

“We are pleased to form this relationship with American Honda,” said Steve Topczewski, PPG OEM business development manager. “Honda has a solid quality reputation and sets very high standards for its collision center network. Being selected to team up with them through our Certified First and MVP programs is something we can be proud of.”
American Honda will recognize dealer-owned and independent body shops in the U.S. that

1.Participate in the PPG Certified First and MVP programs
2.Adopt its OE Connection’s Collision Link software program
3. Conduct a minimum number of transactions through the Collision Link system

Collision shops meeting the above requirements will have their name, address and contact information entered in a searchable database accessible by Honda/Acura owners as well as receive a plaque noting their commitment to refinish excellence.

Qualifying PPG-affiliated collision centers must be sponsored by a Honda/Acura dealer participating in the American Honda Collision Select Program. Additionally, eligible collision centers must adopt the OE Connection CollisionLink parts ordering software as a prerequisite to the program.

The Certified First Network is PPG’s national network of performance-driven collision centers designed to help participants effectively promote and improve their business through use of effective consumer and insurance marketing tools. PPG’s MVP Business Solution program encompasses a full range of business development training and support offerings that focus on improving the quality, speed and cost of running a performance-driven collision repair business.

PPG Hits Another Home Run

There are good paint’s on the market and then there are great paints on the market. PPG Envirobase is great paint. Some of the others are good, and some are not so good. I am thrilled that I use great paint everyday. I would like to thank the great team of Advanced Coatings Technologies for setting our brand new shop up with PPG Envirobase HP and how smoothly the transition went. I arrived at the new store from the old store and everything was in place, the paint was in, the gun washer was up, everything was marked and in its place. Great work Tim and Andrew for seeing this installation to the end. Thank you for going above and beyond the call of duty for us.

I arrived to see the brand new Junair paint booth that was waiting for me; we fired her up and pulled in the first car to be painted. After using the booth for the first time I was impressed by the blowing power of the Quads, those air movement units blow hot air at a rapid rate to dry the water base thoroughly. I am also impressed with how wide the floor filter intake is. There is at least one or two feet of room left on the side of the vehicle when spraying, I like that. So what this equates to is cleaner paint work, less overspray to breathe in everyday and faster dry times for the base coats. This is a booth for the future.

Stampede Pontiac Buick GMC has a fully equipped, modern professional Body Shop for all your collision repair needs. Weather it’s a light scratch or heavy collision; we have the technology to repair your vehicle properly. We repair all makes and models of vehicles and when repairing your GM Vehicle, we use genuine GM parts and accessories… we offer all our customers a LIFE TIME PAINT GUARANTEE to keep you fully satisfied with your paint repairs FOR LIFE.

Whether you are looking for a new paint job or you require insurance repairs from an accident, we will fix your “Baby” right the first time! Motor vehicle accidents happen and we understand the stress involved in having your car in an accident, we will take the stress out of this stressful time. Over the past 50 years we have streamlined our processes to have as little impact on you as possible. We work for you and serve you with the help you need to get your vehicle looking better than new.

Our certified collision and paint technicians take pride in their work, striving to make your vehicle look as good as or better than new. We use the highest quality products and newest technologies to ensure your car is safe and up to standards. With our combination of experience, state-of-the-art equipment and a genuine desire to exceed your expectations, exceeding your needs is our number one goal.

PPG Industries has announced that I-CAR will offer points for PPG Envirobase® High Performance and Nexa Autocolor Aquabase® Plus through its Industry Training Alliance program. The training will make life easier for shops converting to waterborne systems as their workers will have the necessary skills needed to use these systems to their full potential. PPG offers a one day course which includes both classroom and hands on training. This course is held at PPG training facilities where appropriate or at community colleges across Canada. This course is a prerequisite for shops wishing to convert to PPG’s industry leading waterborne basecoats. People who attend this course also receive an application CD and simplified instructions on the use of the product.

“I-CAR recognizes the importance of lowering VOC emissions in an effort to help the environment,” says John Edelen, President and CEO of I-CAR. “PPG classes are among many excellent solutions available for training in waterborne technology, and we’re pleased that individuals taking them can apply for I-CAR points through this partnership between PPG and I-CAR.”

PPG has been a pioneer with automotive refinish waterborne products since the introduction of the first commercialized refinish waterborne basecoat in 1992 featuring innovative anti-settle technology. Taking advantage of its global research and colour capabilities, PPG continued to add refinements and innovations to its waterborne offerings. Today, PPG Envirobase® High Performance and Nexa Autocolor Aquabase® Plus systems are among the best in waterborne technology, and are successfully used by over 26,000 collision centers across North America and Europe.

With this training, waterborne conversion becomes easier. The PPG Envirobase® High Performance and Nexa Autocolor Aquabase® Plus systems are just as easy to use as solvent-borne systems and require no special additives. They feature a complete range of simple-to-blend non-stir toners. Superior colour accuracy provides consistent colour and metallic control across many application techniques.

”Waterborne basecoat is automotive painter’s dreams come true in my opinion. PPG Envirobase is almost fool proof to spray and match even the trickiest colors. You do not have to fight with the product to get the base to lie down evenly”. If you have not already tried PPG Envirobase in your shop you can contact your local representative to assist you in trying the product first hand. If you need help finding a rep in your area than you can comment here and I will assist you in finding one.

The 2009 PPG Platinum Distributor conference was “Making Waves”.  Surfs Up!

The 2009 PPG Platinum Distributor Conference was a wave of success. Open to all Platinum Distributor owners and their key employees, the conference took place at the Green Valley Ranch and Resort in Las Vegas in February.

“We would like PPG to know how much we appreciated being invited to participate in PPG’s 2009 Platinum Distribution conference,” said Gaétan Trudel and Daniel Montgrain of DG Peinture, Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC. “The meetings and conferences were extremely interesting and covered all the aspects relevant to our business. We also enjoyed the trade show, which covered all aspects of the collision repair business and varied in what it had to offer.”

The theme/slogan of the conference was “Making Waves” – coinciding with the full launch of PPG’s waterborne products, and the important role the new products will have in shaping future successes. PPG believes in these waterborne products, and is confident that they, along with the full portfolio of existing brands and products, will continue to “make waves” within the industry.

The conference allowed for networking with other Platinum Distributors throughout North America, while addressing daily challenges they may come across.

“Attending the PPG Platinum Distributor Conference in Las Vegas proved to be an excellent return” said Tim Yetman, GM of Advanced Coatings Ltd., Calgary, AB. “In today’s economic whirlwind, it is critical to stay on top of the latest industry trends, economies of scale, latest products and value added programming.”

Platinum Distribution is well positioned to “ride the wave” in order to achieve sales growth and long-term success within the respective businesses; therefore, PPG demonstrated its efforts to enhance relationships with distribution at the conference. The conference was also an opportunity to help distributors understand PPG’s direction and long-term vision of being the world’s leading coatings and specialty products and services company.

This was reiterated by Brian Custeau, President Custeau Peinture, Inc., Québec City, QC. “The conference was very beneficial in helping us understand the direction of PPG and their communicating long term vision. This vision is savvy in the sense of deliverables for distributors to differentiate in each of our marketplaces. We are confident that 2009 will show an increase in sales and demonstrates the true meaning of a 20 year partnership.”

PPG has the tools to help distribution during this economic downturn, Custeau comments; “while the economy has taken a downward spiral, commercial products are key to differentiate your business. Competition in our marketplace has a tight grasp on this business and the Commercial team communicated some excellent tools to win.”

PPG Automotive Refinish announced today they are assisting Penske Racing in converting their state-of-the-art, race car painting facility in Mooresville, North Carolina to the environmentally-friendly PPG Envirobase® High Performance waterborne coatings system.

The conversion began with the painting of the No. 2 Miller Lite and No. 77 Mobil 1 Penske Racing Dodge Chargers, which made their debut this weekend at the Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge features the PPG Automotive Refinish logo on the deck lid for today’s race. PPG waterborne coatings specialist, Jim Skal has been working with Penske Racing staff at their headquarters in Mooresville, North Carolina on the conversion process. The switch to Envirobase® High Performance is part of Penske Racing’s on-going initiative to “green” business practices.

“Going green with a company that has a history of product leadership and innovation is the difference when making such a change,” said Roger Penske. “We are proud to have such a great working relationship with the entire PPG organization throughout our racing disciplines and with our automotive and truck leasing businesses.”
PPG has shared a business relationship with Penske Racing for almost 30 years. The partnership dates back to PPG’s involvement in automobile racing and sponsorship of the PPG Cup from 1979 to 1999. Over the course of the years, PPG has become Penske Corporation’s largest supplier of refinish coatings for its racing, truck leasing and collision repair divisions.

“We’re involved with Penske Racing because of Penske’s rich history and success in business and in motor sports. Partnerships that last over 25 years demonstrate a daily commitment to winning and the teamwork necessary to ensure both partners prosper,” said Bill Shaw, director of business development for PPG.

To address the environment, NASCAR, the sport’s sanctioning body, is developing an industry-wide green initiative led by Dr. Mike Lynch. The initiative will address environmental issues including reducing air emissions, refuse and lubricants recycling, building efficiencies and land preservation.. It will include the sport’s various stakeholders and will seek to mobilize the NASCAR fan base in this important issue.

The PPG Envirobase® High Performance system is currently in use in Europe, California and Canada where air quality regulations mandate lower volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in refinish basecoats. It is also being used by ecologically-conscious collision and automobile dealer centers throughout North America.

Automotive OEMs have been using waterborne basecoat technology for years. Use of PPG’s Envirobase® High Performance waterborne coatings helps improve air quality by significantly reducing the amount of VOC’s released into the atmosphere. The paint also provides the enhanced ability to match a vehicle’s original finish.
Penske Racing’s teams compete in the Indy Racing League’s Indy Car Series, Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and NASCAR Nationwide and Cup Series. The cars competing in these series are built, prepared and painted at the Mooresville, NC facility.

Mercedes-Benz approves PPG premium paint brands for repair work

Daimler AG, manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, announced it has approved PPG’s Global Refinish System, including its innovative Envirobase® High Performance waterborne basecoat, for repair in North America of all Mercedes-Benz passenger cars. In addition, PPG’s Delfleet commercial coatings system has been approved for repair of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles. The approvals were based on the results of a rigorous four-day audit conducted by Mercedes-Benz representatives at PPG facilities in the United States and Germany.

Michael Gimpl, Daimler AG, Manager Global Service & Parts, said, “We are pleased to continue the collaboration with PPG in aftermarket sales as we are convinced of their premium product quality as well as their worldwide service capabilities that add value to our network.”

PPG locations visited by Daimler AG included the PPG corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the production facilities and training center located in Delaware, Ohio and the PPG European Technical Center in Ingersheim, Germany.

“We are, of course, very pleased to be recognized by Daimler AG in this manner and to continue our partnership with them,” said Kevin Loop, PPG business development manager. “The audit, known as the Quality Management System Alignment, was extremely thorough and informative. There’s no better confirmation of quality than being approved by a premium manufacturer like Mercedes-Benz. Their choosing PPG as a paint partner is something we can be very proud of.”

The Daimler AG audit covered several elements:

•Quality planning
•Quality of supplied parts and materials
•System/process quality
•Quality product/process
•Failure management

“One of Mercedes-Benz’s highest priorities is customer satisfaction. To ensure they attain that goal, they require their partners to design, manufacture and deliver high quality products,” added Loop. “PPG will continue to provide Daimler AG with the high quality products they expect.”

PPG Spring MVP Business Solutions conference to address collision industry’s perfect storm

PPG’s MVP Business Solutions team will host a major conference for collision center owners and managers from across North America, March 9 – 11, 2009 at the Hilton Resort at Squaw Peak in Phoenix, AZ. Through a combination of management training, peer exchange and expert speakers, the conference is designed to help shop owners improve shop performance and competitiveness despite the many critical challenges facing the collision industry today.

“We are in the middle of a very difficult perfect storm in our industry,” said Jim Berkey, director, Business Solutions Group, PPG Automotive Refinish. “Collision centers are seeing fewer repair opportunities, fewer resources, shrinking profits, increased insurer influence and it’s all happening in the middle of a struggling economy. Moving forward, today’s collision centers must understand the new game is quality, speed and cost. The PPG MVP program has the means to help our collision center owners come out of this stronger, better positioned and set for genuine success. This conference is one component of an all-inclusive range of value-added elements intended to keep our customers positioned to face today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Internationally recognized key note speakers include Michael Martyn, founder of SISU Consulting Service, and John Foppe, veteran author, trainer and adviser to executives. Martyn, an expert in dramatically increasing the speed and effectiveness of process improvement, will discuss proven techniques for managing quick change and developing employee-driven continuous improvement programs. Foppe, a highly-regarded inspirational speaker, will present the difference between “Get it done” and “Make it happen” companies – the latter being organizations in which employees love their work, exceed their goals and elate their customers.

A number of seminars will be held.  These comprise:

-5S Workplace Organization and Point of Use Tools
-The Throughput Performance Journey
-The Practical Application of Lean Six Sigma for Collision Repair
-Building a Winning Team
-Creating a Winning Culture
-The Art of Effective Execution
-Developing Self-Managed Workgroups
-Problem Solving and Process Improvement through Effective Facilitation
-In addition, discussion groups offering an opportunity for peer-to-peer exchange of business strategies, best practices and innovations will be offered to attendees. Group

Topics include:

-Repair Planning Best Practices
-Throughput Performance Solutions
-Dealership Collision Center Management
-Finding, Keeping and Developing Top Performers
-Marketing Best Practices
-Open Discussion Group
Conference attendance is open to owners and managers of collision centers using PPG Refinish products. For more information and to register for the conference, please visit www.mvpconference.com. For more information about PPG MVP Business Solutions, contact your PPG territory manager, call the MVP Hotline at 440/572-6199 or email MVPmailbox@ppg.com.

It’s a New Age for Refinish
Years ago, when many of us first got into the collision repair business, 90 percent of the colors we dealt with were direct gloss formulas, with no clear involved. When we repaired a panel, we finished to the nearest edge, and considered the job done.
Today, that’s no longer the case. When you look at current OEM palettes, just about the only direct gloss colors left are gloss white and a handful of reds. Nearly everything else involves a base color—which can be solid, metallic, or tinted clear—with a clearcoat over the top. And that’s not the only thing that has changed.

Blending basics—your keys to invisible repairs

By John Hristias, PPG Industries Australia
The difference between OEM painting conditions and procedures and those used in the typical collision shop have never been as great. OEM metallic and pearl paints are typically waterborne, as opposed to the solvent-borne paints used in collision repair. Many modern assembly plants have used electrostatic spray to apply metallics, which can polarize the metallic materials, and thus change the reflective qualities. And to reduce the amount of topcoat color required, many OEMs now use a colored undercoat, or colored primer, under the actual color. Final color, then, is the result of the undercoat showing through both the topcoat and the clearcoat.

In addition, OEM pigment choices tend to be extremely broad, compared to the range of colors carried in most refinish systems (for example, 50 yellow OEM pigments, compared to the four carried in most premium refinish systems). And regardless of how the vehicle was finished at the factory, color is quite likely to have faded a bit if the vehicle is several years old, or has been continually exposed to the elements. Even armed with the more than 200 tinters that it would take to provide accurate matches to every OEM finish, a collision shop could still see some variability, just because of painting conditions. Little wonder, then, that edge-to-edge blending has, by and large, become a thing of the past.

Assessing the Situation

When doing the estimate on a damaged vehicle, it’s important to note that, when we talk about the “repair area” for a damaged panel, we are just talking about the area of damage itself. We need to consider the area that will be covered by the new primer coat we apply during the course of the repair. As the primed area will in most cases be several times larger than the damaged area, it’s important to allow for this, or you can seriously underestimate the time and materials that it will take to do the job.
Bearing that in mind, here are some things you should consider when deciding how far you should continue to blend a repair finish:
Mentally divide the panel being worked on into thirds (both lengthwise and heightwise). If a metallic or pearl color repair extends into more than two of those thirds, then you should continue the blend into the next panel.

If the finish being used is a solid-color basecoat/clearcoat, the blend can, in most cases, be restricted to the panel being repaired.
If a panel is being replaced, rather than repaired, then the color should be blended into the surrounding panels regardless of the color being used.
The Clear Difference. When we talk about blending, we’re talking about color only. The entire panel (or panels) should be clearcoated to ensure maximum durability of the repair.

The value of a spray out card

While converting recently to PPG’s Envirobase HP all seems to be going very well with the product. The colors are mostly good but there is the odd color that needs to be tinted. As I have discovered, I need to do spray out cards on all colors and check for a good color match. This also creates a color library and saves time tinting down the road when a color is not acceptable. Proper documentation is a must when tinting a color. I include everything I have done to the color so the next car I spray which is the same color, the color match is perfect. There are many popular colors out for 2008-2009 so doing a card is a must. I have seen my silver library grow and grow over the last month. I also have a lot of reds and blues which seem to be popular also.

One important piece of information needed to be added to the back of the spray out card is how many coats of paint you apply. Three is usually sufficient plus the control coat but some colors are low hiders so writing down this info is vital. I also write down what kind of clear coat I use over the Envirobase as we use two different types of clear. I do not seal the spray out card to test if the color covers well or not. This info is documented and kept on file for use at a later date. 

It is very important to get regular updates for your computer system as PPG is always updating their colors so ask your distributor for the CD if you have not received an update in the last six months or so. Another great tool is PPG online color library. These are the latest color formulas and variances. If your chips do not provide a close match then check the online color library to see if there are any more variances for your color you are about to spray. Chances are there will be at least one or more variances for you too choose from. So check your color using a spray out card and make sure you add it to your color library for later reference.