Repair Products: PPG updates 2K/Cobra

Repair products

Rubber gasket dressing
Permatex, a leading Australian provider of automotive repair and auto chemical products, has released a new non-hardening, high temperature sealant specifically developed for use with pre-formed rubber gaskets.

Permatex rubber gasket dressing is available in a 142g pressure pack can with directional Popular applications include valve covers and oil pan gaskets, thermostat housings, transmission pans, intake gaskets, gear boxes, axle assemblies and marine and diesel engines.

The Permatex dressing allows for easy disassembly of flanged components even after long-term operation and will operate effectively in temperatures ranging from 65C to 600C. It will also resist petrol, kerosene, antifreeze, oil, synthetic lubricants and fluorocarbon refrigerants.

Enquiries, Tel: 1800 636 212.

Pulling them in
Extreme Colour has released the Glue Puller, promising an easy method of paintless dent removal that doesn't require a large amount of training.

Glue Puller can be used by both PDR technicians or in panel shops for easier repairs.

Extreme Colour also has released an update kit for owners of earlier model glue pullers, comprising of new pulling knobs and new glues. The new glues enable technicians to work in temperatures between 0C and 36C. Extreme Colour says the system is simple to use and anybody can do it.

It is definitely the first step for anybody with an interest in paintless dent removal, a spokesman said.

Enquiries, Tel: (02) 9787 2777.

Atlas Copco oil-free
Many people ask why oil-free compressors are so important, and the main reason is that oil filters in oil-injected compressors cannot guarantee air that is 100% safe for sensitive environments.

"There is no guarantee that oil droplets or vapour will not get through the filters," Julian Coelho, business line manager of oil-free compressors for Atlas Copco Compressors Australia, said. "The only way to ensure the integrity of the air is to have an oil-free process in the first place.

"Although oil-free compressors are essential for those requiring ultra-pure air, there are benefits on offer for those in other industries as well. It comes down to individual applications, but for many of our customers we have to ask them - why bother putting oil in the air in the first place if you are only going to have to spend money and threaten the environment by taking it out again later?"

Oil-free air compressors are available for low, medium and high pressure uses with Atlas Copco's range also offering various compression technologies such as rotary screw and tooth, piston, scroll, centrifugal and reciprocating piston boosters. The range carries an ISO9001 certification as well as an ISO14001 environmental management rating.

The variety of products now available include those for small delicate operations requiring low pressure air; compressors used in above and underground transport such as buses and trains where noise and vibration levels must be minimised; and compressors for extremely large applications such as power plants and minerals processing where demand is heavy and constant.
Enquiries, Tel: 1800 684 747.

Safe portable fluoroscence
Burn Brite's range of heavy duty, portable fluorescent lights include several 32V models. A 240V to 32V isolating transformer is included in a convenient plug assembly for one model, while the others use an external SAFE-T-PACK transformer.

The 32V models provide safer lighting in risky environments such as in wet or confined spaces.

Burn Brite's Versa-Lite and NB3 lights are designed for use in the adverse environments commonly found in industry. Features include an outer case that is impact, dust, moisture, oil and petrol resistant and a three-year warranty.

Units for voltages of 240V, 24V and 12V are also available, with a variety of lengths up to 1.8m.

Enquiries, Tel: 1300 555 586.

PPG's locally developed, long-running favourite, the 2K/Cobra paint system, has just had a major revamp.
Like the original system, the latest enhancements were formulated in the state of the art laboratories at PPG Australia's Clayton headquarters in Melbourne, using local feedback and knowhow. An injection of the latest coatings technology was also added via access to the resources of PPG's global refinish group.

The first clue to the new generation 2K/Cobra is the bright, modern labelling making each product easily recognisable at a glance. Easy pouring, flask style containers - in one litre, three litre and five litre sizes - are another feature of the revamp. They improve accuracy when mixing, particularly when measuring out small amounts, and minimise spillage which is both wasteful and a potential safety problem.

Perhaps the biggest news is the substantial streamlining of the 2K/Cobra ancillary range and the addition of some advanced new products. For instance, the clearcoat product range has been cut from four to two with the addition of the all-new K221 HS Clearcoat. It has been formulated to comfortably handle HS mode, MS mode and 2K mode, which previously required three separate products.

Advanced formulations have had a huge impact on the hardener range, too, with a reduction from 11 to six products. The four new hardeners - available in Slow, Medium, Fast and Productive - are versatile enough to provide exceptional performance across a wide range of applications.

In the 2K/Cobra Primer range the old favourites, 2K CF Etch, Plastic Universal, Epoxy Urethane, HS WOW and Hi-Fill Primer, have been joined by two all new primers. P401 HS Primer Filler is a new generation, multi-purpose primer that's equally at home being used in filler, primer, wet-on-wet and (for the first time with a 2K/Cobra primer) roll-on modes. Those versatile characteristics allow it to be used in place of the previous Express 800, Express 808 and 2K HS Primer.
The second all new primer product, S321 Transealer, is a transparent sealer formulated to perform two important roles - as a sealer between a previous repair and a new paint finish and as an adhesion promoter over correctly prepared 2K and electrocoat finishes. It can also be tinted by up to 10 per cent using 2K tinters before the addition of hardener.
A secondary bonus of the streamlined ancillaries range is that stock ordering is simplified and the number of products required to be held is greatly reduced.

As part of the major revamp PPG has introduced a logical and convenient new product coding format. Each product name and code now reflects both the use and mixing ratio or, in the case of hardeners and thinners, the temperature range at which they will best perform.

PPG's 2K/Cobra paint system has long been a respected performer in the refinish industry and with these significant enhancements and the resulting gains in productivity it now has all the tools required to continue meeting the needs of refinish painters for years to come.

Enquiries, Tel: (03) 9263 4997.

Nice NOS gloves
Available only in racing red with the NOS (Nitrous Oxide Systems) logo prominent, these gloves are aimed at mechanics and motoring enthusiasts alike.

Made from a flexible triple layer fabric for the upper and strong synthetic suede, the gloves are designed for durable, lightweight and comfortable protection from harsh work environments.

Offering protection from everyday nicks, cuts and abrasions the gloves feature fully adjustable Velcro loops to ensure a neat fit around the wrist and ventilation holes to keep hands dry.

Available in a range of sizes from medium to XX-large, the gloves come in a self-contained protective wallet.
Enquiries, Tel: 1800 636 212.

DuPont's quick fix
Small spot repairs and sand-throughs can sometimes use up a great deal of time and effort for little return. DuPont now has the perfect solution with the introduction of a new range of 1K Quick Primers.

The convenient spray cans allow priming of small repair areas quickly and cost-effectively. No mixing or measuring, no clean up of equipment and fast 30 minute drying saves time, labour and product cost.

The three variations - 42R, 44R and 46R - can be applied over all bare ferrous metals and light alloys, except stainless steel, and can be used as a no-sanding primer to save further labour costs. They can also be applied over all paint finishes except thermoplastics (TPAs). The products have good corrosion resistance and their high transfer efficiency and low overspray mist are achieved with the use of an HVLP nozzle. Quick primers can be coated with all DuPont 2K filling primers and topcoats, which benefit from ValueShade technology to produce superior colour performance. All products feature chromate-free, user-friendly formulations.

Enquiries, Tel: (02) 8818 4325.

Fast-dry from Standox
A revolutionary new resin technology from Standox can dramatically reduce clear coat drying times and impact significantly on workshop throughput and profitability.

The first product to feature this FastCure technology is Standox AirTech 440 2K FastCure Clear. Designed for spot and panel repairs over Standox or Standohyd basecoats, this 2K clear delivers good gloss with fast flash-off and low overspray. Standox claims that FastCure technology produces the world's fastest air dry with the fastest through-cure to keep jobs moving through at record speed.

Using AirTech 440, repaired parts are ready to assemble in only 90 minutes at 22C air dry, or 10 minutes at 50C low bake and cool down.

Used instead of or alongside a baking clear, its fast flash-off and low overspray make it particularly suitable for applications where airflow is less than ideal. Its rapid air-dry properties can reduce energy expenditure by eliminating booth-heating costs. Clearcoat, air dry, reassembly and delivery are now possible within one day.

Three complementary AirTech hardeners are available to cover any application, from touch-ups to full panel repairs in temperature conditions ranging from five to 40C.

Enquiries, Tel:(02) 9933 6123.

See the light with Colour Arc
The all new Colour Arc sets new standards in artificial sunlight at a fraction of the cost, according to the manufacturer.
This high quality, extremely low maintenance product boasts huge savings, not only in initial investment but also in lifetime hours. The Colour Arc has a globe lifetime in excess of 12,000 hours under conventional conditions - 50 times more than the nearest competitor.

"The Colour Arc can run eight hours a day, five days a week and last up to about five years, obviously under the correct conditions," Andrew Petrilli of Bayford Refinish Supplies, the manufacturer of the Colour Arc and Victorian agents, said. "The manufacturer of our globes is the worldwide leader in colour rendition, therefore the Colour Arc has a Colour Rendition Index (CRI) of 96 whilst sunlight has a CRI of 100. You don't get much closer than that."

Automotive Colour & Equipment and Sydney Automotive Paints & Equipment share the agency for NSW, while Prestige Paint & Equipment Supplies is the agent for Queensland.

The Colour Arc has been evaluated by a major paint manufacturer and some of the country's leading repairers with exceptional results. "A major cost saving benefit of the Colour Arc is that it does not require yearly maintenance," said Terry Feehan of SAPE. "The 'Cool White Colour' light projected by the Arc does not require a lens light filter, hence does not need the annual costly and time-consuming replacement as other products do.

"One of the major concerns we had before taking on a product of this type was the cost of replacement globes. The Colour Arc not only lasts 50 times longer and is approximately 40 per cent cheaper, but the replacement globes are a very minimal investment."

Enquiries, Tel: Bayford Refinish Supplies on 03 3241 3094, SAPE on 02 9568 2233, ACE on 02 9771 1600 or Prestige Paints on 07 3254 0566.

Easy filler is just that
The new Standox 2K Easy Filler lives up to its name - it is easy to use, easy to dry and easy to sand and, thanks to a broad application window, is suitable for a multitude of everyday repair jobs.

Easy Filler can be applied quickly and easily in two spray applications under any workshop conditions. Sprayable as a thick or thin layer, and with excellent filling capacity and good isolation properties, it is suitable for a wide range of minor to major repair work.

High stability and fast drying and sanding add to the product's versatility and its contribution to a more efficient repair process. Easy Filler is formulated for both air and accelerated drying.

To comply with strict EU environmental specifications, this filler has a low VOC value and is chromate free.
Enquiries, Tel:(02) 9933 6123.

Wash primer now in aerosol
Hot on the heels of the introduction of Spies Hecker's Priomat 1K Wash Primer 4085, the company has announced the addition of a useful aerosol variant to the range.

Priomat Wash Primer is a good general use product for a wide range of applications. As a quality primer it has excellent gloss and flow, outstanding corrosion protection and is recoatable with all 2K acrylic surfacers and top coat systems from the Spies Hecker range, including waterborne basecoat.

The light grey shade of the product produces better coverage and wet-on-wet application is no problem. Low product usage is the result of the exceptional yield of these primers.

The aerosol version is a welcome addition to the product line-up as a fast, easy to apply option for small repairs and sand-throughs. And, of course, there is no time consuming and costly wash up time required.

Flash-off times are impressive at 10 to 15 minutes as an etch primer, 30 to 60 minutes as a primer filler, and with IR drying five minutes at 50 per cent power.

As part of the Spies Hecker Greentec line of ecologically sensitive products, Priomat Wash Primer 4085 is in line with VOC ceilings and, at approximately 710g/l, is well below the 780g/l limit. Environmental advantages are further enhanced in the aerosol product with its lower material usage and minimal wastage.

Enquiries, Tel:(02) 8818 4330.

Septone turns rust to dust
Septone's range of rust prevention and treatment products offers both prevention and cure options for a variety of rust conditions.

For cases where rusting has taken place, Septone offers products to reverse this damage and prevent it from re-occurring.

The rust converter is a concentrated phosphoric acid-based material that is used as a pre-painting treatment for converting surface rust to iron phosphate, which forms an ideal base for further protective coatings. It provides temporary protection against rust but should not be considered as a coating which will stop subsequent rusting.

Septone's prime rust conversion coating seals the metal surface so it is ready for subsequent priming and top-coating.
For long-term prevention and treatment of metals, Septone offers a range of rust preventative coatings. Its fish oil has a long history and is designed to inhibit the formation of rust in internal box sections, door cavities, sills and pillars of motor vehicles. Septone's Fish Oil is unique in that it has undergone processing in order to deodorise it.

Rust Shield is a heavy duty corrosion preventative coating formulated to comply with Australian standards. It hinders the formation of rust on undercarriage sections. It is a heavy bodied compound fortified with bitumen, waxes and corrosion preventatives that produces excellent seam penetration with negligible sag and run when applied by spray using a body deadener gun, which is also available through Septone.

Septone rust-proof is a heavier duty corrosion preventative coating that also complies with Australian standards. It dries to a soft brown waxy protective coating and is designed to inhibit the formation of rust in internal box sections, door cavities, sills and pillars of motor vehicles.

Flexcote is a waterproof, anti-corrosive, noise suppressing black bituminous compound designed for the undercarriages of motor vehicles.

Its formula includes a tough inert fibre which ensures greater membrane strength. Upon drying Flexcote forms a durable, flexible weather-resistant barrier.

Flexcote is designed for spray application while Brushcote, which has the same rust prevention properties, is applied with a brush.

Enquiries, Tel:(07) 3368 1650.

Last-X 6 body filler
U-POL's Plast-X 6 has been formulated especially for repairing damage to plastic bumper bars and other parts. Produced from specialised European polyester resins, it is a highly flexible filler with extreme adhesion and sands very easily, preventing low spots around the repair.

U-POL strongly recommends that repairers use an application-specific filler such as Plast-X 6 for plastic repairs, rather than risk re-works arising from the use of unsuitable general purpose fillers.

Enquiries, Tel: 0418 726 984.

Anti-stonechip coating
U-POL also has launched a new tintable high-solids stone chip protector, which allows users to create any colour coating, even difficult dark shades.

The neutral Gravi-tint base is tinted using the same low-cost concentrated pigment packs used with U-POL's recently launched colour match primer. This reduces the amount of top coat paint required, saving users both time and money on every job.

The painter simply needs to use the free colour-match tinting wheel provided to determine the shade of colour required, add the tints into the Gravi-tint bottle and shake thoroughly. Gravi-tint is then ready to use and requires no tinting.
In addition to saving time and money, Gravi-tint almost eliminates the visibility of stone chips in the top coat once applied. Like its sister product Gravi-text, it is fast drying and may be over-painted wet-on-wet using most paint systems.

Enquiries, Tel: 0418 726 984.

Superior pull from Autorobot
From superior pulling capacity, powered push, blocking and holding, the new Autorobot B20 has set new standards.
The B20 is more versatile to operate and faster to load than ever before. It is suitable for the biggest to smallest jobs and incorporates a vast array of pushing and pulling combinations to suit all applications.

"Now, more than ever, Autorobot provides a machine to suit your every need", Robert Gray from SAPE said.

Unique in the B20 is its ability to hydraulically adjust the sill clamp outrigger arms. This feature is invaluable when setting the clamping distance during the loading phase. The same feature can be used for stretching or putting tension on the sill, for example in side damage.

For those businesses specialising in repairing 4WD and commercial vehicles, the Autorobot B20 is the new benchmark.

"This is the most significant new model in years, incorporating some unique new ideas combined with the traditional benefits of Autorobot," Gray said.

The B20 is different and looks different. It is able to lift up to 4000kg to a maximum height of 1.6 metres. The adjustable bench length means that vehicles up to 6.5 metres in length can be repaired.

Bob MacKay of Miranda Motor Body Works took delivery of the first Autorobot B20 Gold in Australia, which comes complete with three pull towers.

"I purchased the first Autorobot Super in NSW and have had Autorobot for 25 years," he said. "I cannot believe the advancement in technology with the Autorobot B20. It is amazing to see the ease in which we repair the vehicle. The B20 has the ability to pull the tower up, in or out and hold the rail so nothing else moves. It can hold the chassis on one side and stretch the other due to the various movements in both the bed and the pulling arms. It is without doubt the most advanced piece of technology I have seen in the last 20 years in the collision repair industry."

The Autorobot B20 is now on display at the Automotive Innovation Centre in Sydney.

Enquiries, Tel: (02) 9568 2233.


SAPE distributes CP
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company (CP) has appointed SAPE as its distributor for the Australian collision repair trade.
CP is renowned worldwide for its innovative tools and technologies. With over 100 years of experience, it is now placing a real focus on the Australia.

"CP introduced pneumatic tools back when they were a revolution and completely new technology." CP Tool specialist Tony O'Donnell said. "Over the past century we have established ourselves in many industries worldwide. By appointing SAPE as our Australian distributor . . . we are confident the technicians and hence bodyshop owners can now also enjoy the many benefits that thousands of users around the world have found."

Terry Feehan from SAPE is very excited with this new venture. "The tools are tough, powerful and dependable," he said. "CP's support and service is exceptional and the value of its extensive product offer has made CP an obvious addition to our company."

Founded in 1901, CP is a global leader in the manufacture of automotive power tools offering unrivalled quality and advanced technology that stem from pioneering innovation, tireless research and inspired design and development.

Enquiries, Tel: (02) 9568 2233.

Keeping your cool
CAM Products has been appointed the Australian distributor to the automotive trade for the revolutionary Arctic Heat body cooling vest.

Arctic Heat offers a cutting edge cooling vest to greatly enhance the performance of technicians in the often sweltering conditions found in repair facilities.

The Arctic Heat vest, which is no more bulky than a singlet, works by cooling the skin's temperature and stabilising the core temperature, mimicking the body's natural cooling process. This prevents the body from being affected by heat stress and reduces fluid loss, minimising dehydration.

"With summer well and truly on the way, the Australian-made and developed Arctic Heat Vest will no doubt be a welcome addition to many facilities," CAM Products' Andy Miller said. "The product has been tested and proven under some very serious conditions. Why else would sporting bodies like the Australian Cricket team, the English World Cup football qquad, the Suzuki Motor Sport team and the Australian Football League use and endorse the product?"

The Arctic Heat Vest works by special crystals absorbing and retaining the temperature of the water it is introduced to. The vest is placed in water until the crystals become a gel. It can then be put in a freezer and if dried prior to application, the vest will remain dry, unlike the older, bulky style ice vests. When it is not in use, it should be stored in a refrigerator, freezer or hung on a coat hanger.

The Vest can be hand-washed, is extremely robust and is very lightweight compared to previous versions of this type of product.

Not only is the Arctic Heat vest beneficial as a cooling vest in summer but also it is the only vest that can act as a heating vest during the colder months of the year.

Enquiries, Tel: (02) 9568 2233.

Champion's safer compressors
Champion specialises in the design and manufacture of rotary screw compressors, in which the inner workings are neatly contained in a hinged cabinet system. The fully enclosed nature of Champion's compressors qualifies them as low-risk by preventing all access to mechanical hazards.

However, according to Andy Fraser, national safety manager for Champion Compressors, manufacturers should also look at minimising hazards within the protective enclosure in the best interest of service technicians.

When the cabinet doors are removed for repair work, the compressor's key risk areas relate to the drives, which join the motor to the air compressor, and the rotating shafts powering the air-cooling fan. Other dangers pertain to the hoses, valves and joints that channel high-pressure fluids. Compliant with the Australian Standard for Safeguarding of Machinery (AS4024), Champion's compressors feature fixed guards where the possibility of entanglement in moving parts may exist, plus pressure switches and safety valves in certain risk areas to avoid over-pressure situations.

Risk assessment expert Frank Busch has performed hazard identification analyses on Champion's CSI and CSF series of rotary screw compressors. "This is the first time a compressor manufacturer has taken the initiative to contact me for an audit," Busch said. "There's a different emphasis to the appraisal when it's from the perspective of overhauls and maintenance work. What really distinguishes Champion is its effort to minimise internal hazard in the design stage."

Enquiries, Tel: (03) 9703 8080.