For every three minutes it takes to cure a part in a conventional convection oven, it will require only one minute in a gas-catalytic IR oven.

For example, components that normally take 30 minutes or more to cure conventionally, take 10 minutes or less in a gas-catalytic IR oven.

This means production facilities utilizing gas-catalytic IR curing systems have a unique opportunity to increase production while drastically reducing energy consumption per unit produced.

Practical Implications

• Infrared curing cycles are shorter and quicker than convection ovens
• The use of gas catalytic IR ovens reduces energy consumption

Why is the 3:1 Rule so Important?

The rule fundamentally demonstrates that less energy
is required during infrared curing.

US Autocure systems are available exclusively through Industrial Finishes & Systems, Inc.

AUTOSPOT™ LAUNCHES PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

AutoSpot™ has recently introduced a new management system for body shops and collision repair centers. This production management system increases your profitability by easily tracking repair orders, optimize production bottlenecks and prioritize by repair stage.

The system utilizes a user-friendly digital whiteboard design to follow repair orders from initiation to completion. Visibility and information provided through AutoSpot™ impacts all aspects of a shop, from vehicle intake to return delivery to the customer.

This management system connects to your existing systems and streamlines data input. In addition, future offerings include real time health status of every repair, push notifications, and activity feed to organize communications.

Bring Efficiency to Your Collision Shop

The system’s production board allows shops to visually manage work in progress by displaying it on any TV or smart device. Visibility means that technicians always have critical information they rely on, including special instructions such as FLAG or HOLD. There are no limits to the number of users and the system is highly customizable.

AutoSpot™ is available for a modest monthly fee and there are multiple plans available.

In today’s challenging world, timely information is critical, customer demands are rising, and insurance providers continue to apply pressure. AutoSpot™ allows shops to navigate these uncertain waters with decision-driving data and management.

For more information or request a demo, visit Auto Spot Production

TRUE TP200 Primer

The right product at the right time! A product doesn’t always need to be technically superior or have unique properties to make it special. Often, a simple, easy-to-use, highly functional product comes along at just the right time to make it a winner for a product line.

This is the case for new TRUE TP200 Primer!

Multi-Use Primer: Filler, Surfacer, Sealer

TP200 combines several key features along with value pricing to address the need for a “shop-friendly” primer, both in the spray gun and in the wallet.

TRUE TP200 can be applied as a high build primer-filler, a normal build primer-surfacer, and a wet-on-wet sealer. The “standard” mix ratio as a primer-surfacer is 4 to 1 to 1, but the product can be under reduced as a high build primer-filler, or over reduced as a wet-on-wet sealer.

Complies with VOC regulations

To address the need for multiple VOC regulations, the TP200 can be reduced with either standard TRUE TR Reducers or low VOC (exempt) TRUE TR-E Reducers. With these two options, a bodyshop can comply with the local regulations.

Finally, the TRUE TP200 can be applied directly to properly sanded small-medium bare metal areas. Since it contains a special adhesion promoter along with corrosion inhibiting pigments, it will have excellent adhesion and provide excellent corrosion resistance.

TRUE TP200 Primer is available now. Contact your nearest Industrial Finishes location or contact your Industrial Finishes representative for more information.

INTRODUCING TRUE 7000V EXPRESS CLEAR

Speed Clear Coat

Our newest TRUE product, TRUE 7000V Clear, is quite special. It is a “No Bake-Speed Clear.” This clear has been designed to address the need for spot and panel repairs without the need for baking, while providing very fast air-dry capabilities. It is as close to a “lacquer dry” product as possible, while still yielding TRUE 2K polyurethane properties.

No Baking Booth Needed

TRUE 7000V will be ideal for body shops without baking booths who still want high productivity since it can air-dry quickly and yield top-notch results. Additionally, TRUE 7000V is very cost effective, needing only one activator and having a mix ratio of 4 to 1.

Important characteristics of the TRUE 7000V Express Clearcoat:

• Can be applied over all high-quality solventborne and waterborne basecoats
• VOC compliant: Ready to spray VOC 2.0 #/gal.
• Easy application: 2 coats/no flash necessary
• Fast dust-free time: 15 minutes @ 75 deg. F
• Can be sanded and buffed in 60-90 minutes @ 70 deg. F
• Long term exterior durability: 5-10 years
• Use with TRUE 701VQT Activator

TRUE 7000V Express Clear Coat is available now. Contact your nearest Industrial Finishes location or contact your Industrial Finishes representative for more information.

As we are all aware, the west coast has experienced serious wildfires recently, which has caused widespread destruction of land and property. The “fallout” from the fires, usually in the form of ash, can damage automotive clearcoat finishes, both OEM and refinish. This damage is called “environmental etching” and is most severe for new refinish paint jobs (one month old or less) but can also affect OEM paint and older repaints. This “etching” is especially visible on black and darker color vehicles.

Interestingly enough, the ash fallout is harmless, and will not damage the finish of a vehicle in its’ dry form. However, if it becomes wet during a rainy night or a foggy morning, it can essentially change to a corrosive chemical. This corrosive chemical can cause serious damage to the painted surface of an automobile.

So, what do you do to protect your vehicles finish?  Below is a good excerpt from a Meguiar’s article, which outlines the best defenses against etching from wildfire fallout.

“The elements in wood ash include calcium, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, which are inert and have no effect on finishes in their dry form. There is, however, a serious risk of chemical etching on automotive paint finishes when these elements are mixed with water. Leaving an ash-covered car outside on wet nights or foggy mornings may result in chemical etching or serious damage to a vehicle’s finish.

As an example, potassium or calcium when mixed with water, has the potential to form potassium hydroxide and calcium carbonate, which can have the same corrosive characteristics as drain cleaner. To combat the potential ash hazard Meguiar’s suggests…

Here at Industrial Finishes we understand the challenges associated with all forms of body shops. As the automotive industry evolves, new sets of challenges arise regarding the complexity of standard body repair.

Car dealerships have had body shops for decades, but recently the appeal for dealership body shop business has gained a second wind, due in part because of subtle differences between car dealerships and traditional collision repair centers. Not long ago, your standard vehicle was a simple steel body and a chassis. A few short years later, we have “computers on wheels” surrounded by shrouds of aluminum. Sophisticated cars and trucks have a wider array of repair challenges, which can create some advantages for dealerships with body shops. Dealerships can utilize a combination of technology, experience, exposure, and customer base to create a profitable body shop that benefits their dealership as much as it does their customers.

Starting with exposure, dealerships can piggyback marketing off the corresponding brands they sell. The simple advantage of being associated with a specific brand can give dealerships the first crack at landing collision repair clients. In an era of brand recognition and loyalty, a specialized dealer can be the first to pop up in a simple Google search or word-of-mouth. Nearly all dealerships are required to operate a service department to handle warranty repairs, and often they address needs like tires, brakes, and alignments. This can create the impression that the local dealer is a one-stop shop for both brand-specific parts and general maintenance. Over the course of your maintenance visits, the dealership can inventory your activity and reach out to you to let you know what maintenance you should have coming up. By creating a relationship with the customer and the vehicle, dealerships can enjoy excellent top-of-mind awareness.

Modern car technology may even alert your dealership when your vehicle has been in a collision. To a customer in need of collision repair, it might not even be a matter of repair quality or cost; it can be the simple fact a dealership knows when to ask for your business. There are other technological specialties that can come into play when dealing with collision repair. Newer makes and models need to have specific sensors reset, and body shops do not always have the equipment that is necessary to bring a car back to OEM standards. Dealerships may already have some of the proprietary tools required to reset computers in their service department, so the overall cost and activities associated with a dealership body shop can be significantly reduced.

Dealerships may also have an increased knowledge on newer vehicles and the specifics of advanced electronics such as radar, lidar and camera-based vision systems. Vehicles are also getting more aluminum, cast parts, ultra-high-strength steel, magnesium, and similar materials than before. These components require different autobody techniques and tools than traditional steel vehicles. This is especially important on brand new vehicles. Dealerships have immediate access to proprietary information on new vehicles that might be required for diagnosis and repair. Some of this information is not available to small shops for up to one year from the release of the vehicle.

Dealerships also gain new/used car foot traffic when they offer body repair services. When people come onto the lot for oil changes, warranty repairs, or collision repair services, they have exposure to all their vehicles for sale. Dealerships know there is a correlation between foot traffic and car sales. The more customers on your lot mean more new cars sold. A body shop may provide an opportunity to evaluate a trade-in or introduce the customer to a brand-new car. This is especially true when the customer’s vehicle has been deemed a total loss.

Economically, fixed shop costs are split amongst dealership departments. Typically, personnel expenses are also fixed whereas some collision repair shops are under greater pressure to return repairs more quickly. Repairs at dealerships will (likely) all be certified and are typically backed with longer warranties. Dealerships have a streamlined connection with OEM parts distribution. This means on repairs that require replacement, a dealership may receive the part faster than competing collision repair shops.

Why don’t all dealerships operate body shops? If a body shop is mismanaged it can leach the profits out of the primary business of selling cars and become a financial hindrance. Running a body shop is very different than managing a car lot. The profits generated from a body shop rely on personnel, materials, time, and the quality of the finished product. It does not take much to lose money on a job. Everything needs to operate in harmony for profits to remain consistent. Assuming someone spends too long on a repair, orders the wrong materials, does not match the paint properly, or if the customer is not satisfied, the dealership can lose money and the potential for another car sale.

Dealerships also understand risk (and most body shop managers understand it, too!). Businesses know all too well that a negative Google review can tarnish your business, even if it is undeserving. If you get too many bad reviews, your reputation can be up in smoke before you have the opportunity to assess customer concerns and adjust.

Finally, in nearly all markets, there are solid, independently owned body shops serving satisfied customers. Often, shops may have a relationship with a dealership or dealerships for their mutual benefit. Taking a damaged vehicle to a dealership body shop may be the right decision. Ultimately, the customer must choose the best qualified facility for them and their vehicle.

​To help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, precautions should be taken to apply disinfectant on vehicles as they arrive at body shops for estimates and/or repairs. Shops will need ask permission from customers before applying disinfectant to vehicles and verify that they don’t have any chemical allergies or sensitivity to the disinfectant being applied.

Shop employees should wear gloves, safety glasses, long sleeves and a respirator to protect themselves while applying disinfectant to vehicles. Gloves should be properly disposed of immediately after use to prevent cross contamination. Employees should avoid touching their faces while wearing gloves and should wash their hands immediately after removing them.

Use only EPA registered disinfectant products (Refer to the List N for verification). Follow all manufacturer instructions for proper disinfectant use. Verify that the product is safe for use on the surface where the disinfectant is being applied.

Apply disinfectant to all exterior and interior contact points on the vehicle. This process should be repeated at time of vehicle return to the customer.

REMEMBER:

• Get Customer Permission before Applying Disinfectant
• Wear appropriate PPE
• Use Only EPA Registered (N List) Disinfectant Products
• Follow all manufacturer instructions for proper disinfectant use
• Verify that disinfectant is safe to use on surface where it is being applied
• Apply to all exterior touch points
• Apply to all interior touch points
• Avoid cross contamination
  • Properly dispose of used PPE
  • Wash Hands immediately after removal of gloves
• Repeat process at time of vehicle return to customer

Industrial Finishes & Systems can help with the products and processes you need to create confident customers!

The IF Marketplace is your technology solution for smarter order placement! This cloud-based app is powered by proven technology and is designed to help IF and AIS customers place orders quickly and easily. The system can be accessed from a smart phone, tablet, or desktop.

Through the IF Marketplace, customers can search and compare thousands of products from Industrial Finishes’ vast catalog. The system allows the user to approve invoices and track both purchases and material usage. Customized options are available, including the ability to link orders and inventory to a specific purchasing agent, technician, or repair order. The system is updated in real-time, so pricing and product availability information is always up to date.

As with many modern apps, the IF Marketplace is incredibly intuitive to use. According to Industrial Finishes Operations Projects Manager, Keith Clark, “Training can be completed over the phone or a shared-screen video session in 20-30 minutes. The system streamlines the process from product selection, dedicated purchase lists, and order placement. The user experience is first rate.”

Clark added, “Many of our customers have already successfully adopted the system and we continue to add features and capabilities. For example, we’re currently gathering thousands of product images to further enhance search functions.”

In today’s uncertain times, the ability to work with business partners remotely has taken on an incredible level of importance. Industrial Finishes is committed to providing an exceptional service experience even when circumstances make it difficult to meet face-to-face. Systems such as the IF Marketplace make the world smaller despite the distance that separates us.

The system is free to IF/AIS customers. Read more…

Introduced in late 2016, the TRUE Performance Product line has grown tremendously in terms of product offerings and popularity. As private-label products from Industrial Finishes and Automotive & Industrial Supply, many customers have come to rely on the TRUE name. From the line’s humble start, the TRUE catalog has grown to include hundreds of high-quality products and the line is growing rapidly.

To see what products are currently available in the TRUE Performance Product line, please see our online catalog. Check back frequently; new products are being added frequently!