ALL NEW COLORSYSTEM FOR BMW
The keywords for BMW Group’s new ColorSystem, with Axalta’s technology on the inside, are simplicity and sustainability. This new system was developed specifically for BMW Group and is an asset to any body shop.
There is no more mixing bank with this new system, but in its place is a shake and go set of bottles that hold the necessary products. The bottles are made from 50% recycled plastic and can be recycled as well at the end of use. The side of the bottle is see-through so that you can always determine how much product is left.
The nozzles can be set to how many millilitres you need for mixing and can be reduced down to a drop at a time. The nozzles twist to select your measuring needs. You can turn the bottle on its head when the product is low and let gravity help you get every last drop out.
A new system equals a new mindset. Processes will have to be tweaked as the curing times are incredible and will allow you to create far more throughput with very little baking needed – if any.
Each procedure starts with wipes. There is no need for activators as the wipes already have the acids soaked into them. They can be used on bare metal and you can store them in a container and re-use them throughout the day Ð cost effective and less waste. No activators means equals no pot life. After the wipes it’s a short 1–2-minute flash-off. They also act as good protection against corrosion.
The high pigmented basecoat technology provides excellent opacity, including white and red solid colours. The ColorSystem is tack free and has a hard surface after flash-off which makes any defect easy to remove before clearcoating, which reduces expensive re-dos.
One and a half coats will give you the coverage you need with the new Hyrdrocolor basecoat system. BMW Approved Repair Centres can now increase productivity and reduce energy costs and consumption on each job.
There are mixing fillers and wet-on-wet fillers in the range. You can apply up to four coats on wet-on-wet. Elasticator can be added to the filler so that you can spray directly onto plastic. There’s no need for plastic primer. It’s available in white, grey and black and can be mixed into seven different shades.
Wet-on-wet filler can be overcoated with clear after five minutes. The Clear VOC has a flexible one and a half to two coat application with a short flash-off time, or simply leave it to airdry and cure. At 20¡C it cures in 30-55 minutes, at 40¡C it cures in 10-15 minutes and at 60-65¡C, it cures in 5-10 minutes. Airdrying is a very good option for this product, while baking is even quicker, but a waste of energy. Humidity is also this system’s friend and helps in the curing process.
ColorSystem can be used from spot repairs through to large areas, as well as plastic.
Harald Kloeckner, International training leader, who spear-headed the project team for BMW was on hand to go through the system, the processes and strengths.
Martin Pretorius, dedicated technician for the ColorSystem, demonstrated the procedure and ease-of-use of the ColorSystem, which the BMW Approved Repair Centres in attendance paid careful attention to and were very happy with the end results.
Jean-Philippe Dufoix, Global Key Account Manager, BMW Group and OEM’s Project Manager enjoyed meeting the local body shop members and said that he was very proud of the Axalta team in the dedication it has taken to design this new ColorSystem specifically for BMW, as well as the team in South Africa for a successful starting roll-out.
Story by: Claire Macfie
Pics by: Jay Groat
