THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY

Automechanika Frankfurt showcased innovation with over 4 200 exhibitors and five stages of lectures and workshops. Highlights included practical demonstrations for body and paint professionals. Key exhibits featured Axalta’s digital platform, PPG’s sustainable tools, Glasurit’s Alfa CR4/CR6 mixing machine and much more.

In a remarkable showcase of talent and determination, Kai, a seventeen-year-old from South Africa, is making waves at the WorldSkills competition in France. Representing South Africa in automotive spray painting, Kai’s journey is a testament to his skill and perseverance. His challenges as a deaf, autistic individual fuelled his inspiring success.

Damage quantification in vehicle repair involves balancing safety with cost, especially in a deflated economy. Rising part costs and vehicle depreciation challenge the repair versus replacement decisions. OEM collaboration and regulatory support are needed for effective repairs. Skilled repairers can ensure safety and sustainability, making repair a viable option when done correctly.

In the cut-throat world of automotive refinish paint sales you need to be a special type of individual to survive in the aftermarket collision supply chain. Mikale Gungaram fits the bill really well. He and his extended family have been working hard supplying body shop and DIY outlets since the 1990s.

First Battery’s Benoni plant in Gauteng efficiently recycles lead-acid batteries with advanced technology, including battery breakers and lead smelters. Processing 80 tons daily, the plant separates and repurposes components, supporting environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Pearlescent whites are tricky for refinishers when it comes to repairs. Spies Hecker have created an efficient process to repair this challenging finish. Spies Hecker are supplying their body shops with innovative products and an optimal process so that they can run profitable businesses, with training and products.

The needless death of so many road users due to body structures not being stable in a 50 km/h frontal impact has almost disappeared in Europe and the US. Literally Euro NCAP has saved lives. Revolutionised body materials require expert repair to restore original performance, following manufacturer procedures after impact.

The Gladiator product line consists of a 2K protective coating both in black and tintable and its ancillaries that deliver a textured-semi-matt finish with excellent durability, chemical resistance, and damage protection. The established tagline ‘The Invincible Coating’ remains unchanged as does the product formulation. They have merely refreshed their brand’s recognisable orange hue.

The Festival of Motoring is a unique event giving consumers the opportunity to really experience their favourite new models in a hands-on experience on the track or 4x4ing. That’s why 18% of attendees go with the intention of purchasing a vehicle after the show.

Automechanika Johannesburg, the largest automotive service trade fair in Sub-Saharan Africa, runs from 19-21 November 2024. It showcases innovations, including electric and autonomous technologies, offers networking opportunities, and features conferences on industry trends. The event supports local businesses and provides insights into future automotive developments.

When one’s business demands a small, safe, economical, and comfortable transport vehicle, the versatile Cargo models in Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s range might well be the perfect choice. The converted Grand i10 and Atos Cargo hatchback models are two of the most versatile vehicles in Hyundai’s local range.

Visitors to the PPG booth had the opportunity to experience first-hand the innovative solutions that are set to enhance the efficiency, precision, and sustainability of automotive refinishing These digital tools included; demonstrations of PPG’s newest digital technologies, including tools from the PPG LINQ™ digital ecosystem, which enhance precision and efficiency of body shops.

Ford’s latest compact crossover owes much of its character to its aerodynamic design lines and this adds to its sporty go-everywhere attitude. It represents a blend of versatility, practicality, and advanced technology, making it a compelling choice for those looking for a compact crossover that doesn’t compromise on performance.

Plastic has become an essential aspect of the collision repair industry, driven by advancements in repair technologies and increasing environmental concerns. As vehicle manufacturers continue to incorporate more plastic components, the need for efficient and effective repair solutions has grown. Plastic repairs also align with the principles of the circular economy.

There is no doubt these are exciting times for vehicle manufacturers (VMs), motorists and repair technicians alike. Our industry sits at the cutting edge of technology. With the right training and smart body shop management, the sector will boast some of the most highly skilled people in the entire UK workforce.

The easy to use DeBeer refinish WaterBase 900+ Series is easy to use with stock simplified. It has an innovative approach which meets the needs of todays advanced refinisher. Components are fully compatible and assure superior quality results with striking natural clarity and exceptional colour precision.

Martin Brown, an automotive veteran, highlights the rapid growth of ADAS systems and their impact on repair shops. In the UK and Europe, ADAS-equipped vehicles dominate, prompting workshops to invest in calibration equipment. He advises Australian workshops to embrace ADAS technology to stay competitive and meet evolving repair standards.

Cosmetic repair today has many options for repair materials. During the collision repair process, a technician is faced with the question: What is the appropriate body filler? Let’s look at what different types of body filler are available and their characteristics. Many different types of body filler have been introduced over the years.

Unlike traditional welding which uses electrons to heat the material, laser welding involves photos. You focus a laser beam into an extremely small tight area. Laser welding can pretty much weld everything: stainless steel, steel, aluminium, etc, and even different types of plastic. It may yet find its way into collision repair shops.

Axalta launched the Irus Scan spectrophotometer, enhancing paint colour matching with advanced RGB camera technology and gloss measurement. This tool integrates into the Axalta Irus digital colour management process for precise, efficient colour matching and reduced waste. It improves productivity and sustainability, benefiting body shops with faster, accurate results.

Automotive Refinisher celebrates 40 years of industry coverage, blending passion and curiosity to connect with readers and advertisers. This edition highlights global tech from Automechanika Frankfurt, local events like the Festival of Motoring, industry updates, and success stories, alongside new product reviews and repair techniques.

Owners of Hyundai models suffering from allegedly defective paint jobs are calling on the car maker to fix the known problem. A number of Hyundai models painted white – believed to have been made between 2010 and 2018 – have suffered from peeling paint, leading owners to pressure the South Korean company to act.

There are have been significant technological advances in vehicles since before 1903, and the continuing evolution of the automobile as well as technological advancements such as advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), will continue to be developed and become even more advanced. This is due to manufacturer’s desires to offer new products and features.

In 2024, global motor executives face challenges with slow EV adoption, falling BEV values, and costly autonomous vehicle projects. Shifts in marketing focus to digital and influencer strategies are noted. The Paris Motor Show sees renewed interest from major brands, while South Africa’s Festival of Motoring highlights evolving industry engagement.

Christo de Jager was recently convicted by the Gqeberha specialised crimes court for a seven-year fraud scheme. He submitted fake invoices through approved repair centre Autotrust, resulting in over R12 million in losses before VW uncovered the discrepancies during an internal audit and arrested him in March.

If you’re unhappy with car repairs, follow these steps: gather documentation, contact the panel beater, stay professional, escalate to the manufacturer if needed, and file a complaint with the Motor Industry Ombudsman if unresolved. Use the Panel Beater Directory and Lightstone EchoMBR for reliable repair services and customer reviews.

Many highly toxic substances have been carefully regulated or in some instance outlawed or banned completely. Many day-to-day refinishing supplies continue to pose significant potential health hazards which must be recognised and managed responsibly. Equally, you might be surprised that some banned substances are still lurking as a potential silent killer for the unaware.

Electric vehicles have swiftly gone from a rare bright spot in the fight against climate change to a cause for concern. A slowdown in EV adoption has potentially huge implications for the energy transition. It also has ramifications for the many financial institutions that have pledged to decarbonise the loans and investments they make.

At Ford’s Silverton Manufacturing Plant there are two cobots (collaborative robots) working with workers and they are responsible for the installation of weatherproof shields into Ranger doors, a process that requires pin-point accuracy, strength, and dexterity. These cobots are not replacing employees, but they allow operators to use their time more efficiently.

Mercedes-Benz is testing humanoid robots on its production lines to help perform physically demanding tasks. The company joins BMW and Tesla in the automotive sector, which already have pilot programmes of the technology. Humanoid robots allow carmakers to automate production processes without having to reconfigure existing factories.

Nissan is developing a revolutionary exterior paint that uses electromagnetic waves to keep cars cooler, reducing temperatures by up to 12°C outside and 5°C inside. In collaboration with Radi-Cool, this thick, spray-applied paint could enhance energy efficiency in electric vehicles. Availability remains uncertain, with potential for special-order applications.

For consumers, maintaining their cars is necessary to ensure their longevity and reliability. However, with the auto parts shortage that has hit the nation, it has become increasingly difficult to find the necessary components to keep their cars running smoothly, from individual car owners to dealerships, independent shops, and technicians.

UV products were first introduced around a decade ago. UV curing products are designed only to cure or harden when exposed to UV light. However, once exposed, the products cure rapidly, within one to two minutes. The benefits of UV curing are glaringly as opposed to ten years ago.

Steve Kessel often questions our progress in sustainability and profitability within the industry. Despite South Africa’s strides in business success, challenges persist with evolving transformation expectations and skills shortages, exacerbated by insurance and OEM constraints hindering collaboration and fair business practices.

So many body shops spend a considerable amount of their business effort trying to supress their paint input costs. Achieving a quality paint finish is important and understanding poor quality control is vital to a good finish.

Choosing affordability should not mean compromising on quality, especially in the demanding field of automotive refinishing. With baslac, that compromise simply does not exist. Baslac stands out by offering a streamlined range of top-tier refinishing products that cater to all repair tasks at a competitive price point and it’s supported by BASF.

McCarthy’s Auto Trimmers are chasing a new path to customer experience in convenience for their clients. The launch of their new Paarden Eiland branch is about creating convenience for the clients, with two lines, the express spot repair lane, and the overnight lane. There is also a super lounge for customers to wait in.

There will be a broad range of topics at Automechanika Frankfurt in September. Due to the rapid pace of change in the automotive industry, the need for further training and the desire to discuss new developments and technologies has continued to grow in recent years.

The usual format is to have a show over a number of days, where the main business is completed in the first morning and by the last day the exhibitors out-number visitors. The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event 2024 was different. It was held over two days and attracted 5 125 industry specific visitors.

Director, Sashen Singh, has a solid foundation in auto paints. The Singh family have been specialist paint makers for over 40 years in KZN. The company have four dedicated outlets in KZN an enjoy excellent aftersales service from Luxor Paints.

The Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has launched a R50m blended finance scheme in Gqeberha, for up-and-coming micro, small and medium-sized automotive component suppliers, and aftermarket service providers in the Eastern Cape. The focus on this segment of the market is a bid to bridge current funding gaps facing small and medium operators.

With a scan being done before repairs begin and after repairs are complete, the time and energy you’ll need to spend on diagnostics will multiply, and with the ever-increasing amount of electronics being added to vehicles, the importance of pre-repair scans and post-repair scans cannot be stressed highly enough.

Mercedes-Benz SA’s shift reduction at its East London plant, resulting in 700 job losses, reflects a significant setback for local vehicle manufacturing. This decision was driven by decreased global demand for C-Class sedans amid a shift towards SUVs and crossovers. The company also cited port challenges contributing to reduced production levels.

Time is money, and in today’s economy, this has never been more accurate. That’s why in any busy body shop, energy savings, material consumption, efficient workflow and intelligent division of labour are vital to optimise work processes. The spray booth is just as important; refinishers should optimise their time there too.

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) will invest R4-billion in its manufacturing plant in Kariega, in the Eastern Cape. The investment will be used to prepare the plant for the addition of a third model to the company’s production line-up from early 2027. The third model, which will be a compact sports-utility vehicle (SUV).

Wayne Deintjie has been tackling motorcycle custom respray work and specialising on restoring customers repairs back to their original finish in his business, “Paint by Wayne”. He has an amazing database of motorcycle original colour formula’s that cover hundreds of thousands of the popular bike colours, shades and derivatives.

Adhesives are vital across industries, especially in automotive repair, where their strength and application are key. Knowing how temperature and humidity affect them is crucial for maintaining effectiveness. Studying adhesive performance in high heat offers a complete guide to ensuring strong bonds endure.

One million Ranger bakkies have now rolled off the line from Ford South Africa’s manufacturing plant in Silverton. Production of the Ranger bakkie at the factory began in 2000, making it almost a quarter-century since manufacturing of the brand’s popular bakkie started. And it is fitting that we celebrate this milestone.

Isn’t it time there was a unified approach to high voltage system isolation? The past decade and a half has been pretty miserable for collision repairers when it comes to where things are located on a vehicle. Just consider the straightforward task of making a vehicle with any system carrying more than 60V safe to process.

After considerable research Sagola have now introduced their all-new dynamic flow technology 4600 range globally, with the promise of a more even layout and uniform paint distribution from top to bottom. The system has introduced a colour coded air cap to minimise problems associated with difficult base coat colours.

Allianz has seen a 300% surge in fraudulent use of apps to manipulate images, videos, and documents, calling it a major scam affecting insurance. They noted a 29% increase in fraud prevention across motor, home, and application claims in 2023. The rise includes tactics like ghost brokers and deep fake technology.