AkzoNobel has launched its new Sikkens Autoclear Optima clearcoat, targeting modern bodyshops seeking faster repair turnaround times and lower operating costs.
The company says the new product has been developed to improve productivity, energy efficiency and finish consistency within today’s increasingly fast-paced collision repair industry.
Designed to work alongside the broader Sikkens Optima refinishing system, the clearcoat forms part of a fully integrated repair process intended to streamline workflows from preparation through to final finish.
AkzoNobel said rising energy prices and increasing environmental expectations are placing additional pressure on bodyshops to improve operational efficiency while maintaining repair quality and throughput.
The new product offers several curing options designed to reduce booth occupancy and energy consumption, including low-bake, high-bake and ambient drying modes. According to the company, the clearcoat can be ready to handle in as little as seven minutes at 40 degrees Celsius or five minutes at 50 degrees Celsius.
AkzoNobel also highlighted the product’s ambient drying capability, which the company says can significantly reduce energy demand in bodyshops looking to lower operating costs.
The clearcoat features a 1.5-coat one-stop application process intended to reduce material use and shorten repair times, while the simplified mixing ratio is designed to help minimise application errors.
Rob Lagendijk, AkzoNobel director of marketing and product management automotive and specialty coatings, said bodyshops were increasingly under pressure to improve throughput while controlling energy costs.
“Autoclear Optima has been developed to help customers achieve that balance through fast drying, broad application flexibility and full system compatibility,” Lagendijk said.
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