colorexpert 1/2009 international

colorexpertS e r v i c e • T r e n d s • T r a i n i n g • M a n a g e m e n t

Spies Hecker – simply closer.

ProductsPermafleet® –strong support to painters ofcommercialvehicles.

ManagementWaste not, want not.

Overcoming the crisis.

WorldwideTrue masters.

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E d i t o r i a l

We are confronted with bad news fromall over the world almost every day. The economy is going through a roughperiod. And there’s no doubt that re-finishing businesses have also seenbetter days. What you as a businessowner really need now is help with finding ways out of the crisis.

This new issue of “colorexpert” points the way forward and broadens yourbusiness’s scope for action. Our articlesgive you practical support, coveringsuch topics as energy efficiency, rational product systems and usefulmanagement strategies.

Exploiting opportunities.

Spies Hecker offers you solutions thatare easy to put into practice, enablingyou to exploit opportunities. Take theexample of business expansion – with the Permaflex product system forindustrial coatings, you can quicklyextend your range of services andattract new customers. For businessesspecialising in commercial vehicles, the new Permafleet® product line is acost-effective alternative.

colorexpert – tips and information for bodyshops • © SPIES HECKER GMBH / 50858 Köln, Germany • Horbeller Str. 17 • E-mail: [email protected] • Internet:www.spieshecker.com • Responsible under the German Press Act: Karsten Jürs • Editor: Silke Gursch, Susanne Aping, Christian Simmert • Layout: Adfactory GmbH, Düsseldorf • Text: MediaserviceGmbH, Neuss • Reader: LLINGUA, Gelsenkirchen • Translation: Tim Chafer, ExperTeam, Düsseldorf • Reproduction, even in part, only by permission of the editors. The data and information onthe suitability and usage of our products are not binding and do not release the user from his responsibility to carry out his own tests on their suitability for the intended purposes and processes.The product names mentioned in the articles are predominantly registered trademarks.

Staying ahead with technology – thisalso applies to digital colour measure-ment. This is where the ColorDialogspectro and the new functions of theCRplus formula software boost efficiencyin the workshop.

One thing is certain: If you want toexploit the available opportunities, you need a customised approach. Withtailored advice and committed supportfrom our experienced technicians, wecan jointly develop solutions that meetyour needs.

Take advantage of a strong partnershipwith Spies Hecker to pilot your companysafely through the crisis. We’re right byyour side.

I hope you enjoy your read. And I wishyou business success – making use ofour signposts that help point the wayforward.

Thomas MelzerBrand Manager, Spies Hecker GmbH

Thomas Melzer, Brand Manager International.

Pointing the way forward.

Dear Reader,


Light: Motion detectors in the store andchanging room switch off lightswhen they’re not needed.

Compressed air: Check compressed air tools regularly for leakage and replacefaulty tools.

Painting and drying systems: Adapt booth and dryer runningtimes to the actual level of utilisation.

3M a n a g e m e n t

Eyes open in the booth.

It is also possible to reduce energy consumption during painting and dryingin the booth. The expert retrofitting ofunits such as frequency converter sys-tems and fully automatically controlledbooths reduces costs. Wolfgang Feyrer:“With heat exchangers, it is possible torecover heat energy. Air jets recirculatethe air in the booth when paint isn’tbeing sprayed.” In addition, filtersshould be regularly maintained so thatthe air resistance isn’t increased byclogged filter mats.

Further potential for economies can betapped by optimising certain work processes. For example, rapid infraredand UV drying during Speed Repair processes reduce energy consumptionduring the repair of minor damage whilealso freeing up the booth. UV technol-ogy with 30 flashes for a single dryingcycle costs less than one euro cent. Andthe quality of repair is high. However, if you want to save energy, you have tomake sure that the quality of finish isn’timpaired. Only then will modificationsyield the desired benefits.

Without compressed air tools, sprayguns and booth technology, paintshopswould grind to a halt. However, contin-uous operations and being on constantstand-by cost money and, in view of the rising cost of electricity, oil and gas,are a real cost factor. And this is goodreason to cut energy consumption –and save money.

Analysing energy consumption.

“If you want to save energy, you shouldfirst find out when and where you consume the most,” explains WolfgangFeyrer, Spies Hecker specialist in energyefficiency in paintshops. “This meansprecisely analysing energy consump-tion in each workshop area and for each work step.” The focus here is onthe compressed air supply, and thespraying and drying process as well ason lighting and heating.

“Optimising compressed air manage-ment, for instance, can significantlyreduce energy consumption,” says theexpert. “An intact compressed air hosenetwork and the use of hoses with lowinner diameters reduce pressure loss,lower the required compressor outputand cut energy costs.”

Waste not, want not.With rising energy prices and increasing energy consumption,bodyshops need to rationalise their energy use and reduce costs.

Where do you consume the most energy in the bodyshop?

Fan motors (booth) 40%Bodyshop lighting 25%Compressed air 15%Infrared heaters 15%Others 5%

Source: Stoffstrommanagement in der Autoreparaturlackierung, Erich Schmidt Verlag


Efficient colourmanagement forthe painting of commercial vehicles.

Digital colour identificationWith the ColorDialog spectro, colourscan be analysed at the vehicle in a matter of seconds. CRplus, Spies Hecker’s standard software,can be used for quickly finding theassociated mixing formula.

Permafleet® Color IndexThe over 3,000 colours on extra-large colour chips are an invaluable reference resource. They contain allthe widely used truck and standard colours as well as many house colours.With the colour code on the reverseof the chip, the matching colour mixing formulas can be quickly found in the CRplus colour software.

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P r o d u c t s

polishing cloths, and professional workclothing. The customer has plenty tochoose from.

Practical help.

The package of services for commercialvehicle finishes also extends to tar-geted training. Arno Steyns: “This iswhere we explain the technicalities ofusing the system and focus our atten-tion on rational product use. This givesthe refinisher extra guidance andenhances process security and qualityin the workshop.”Superlative service for outstandingresults – with Spies Hecker Permafleet®

for trucks and vans. The comprehensivesystem comprises more than innovativeproducts and technology. Permafleet®

is the professional response to thechallenges of advanced commercialvehicle painting.

Buses and coaches, vans, tippers andtrucks – commercial vehicles come inall shapes and sizes. How the paintfinish has to perform, varies accordingly.Depending on the application, it has towithstand severe mechanical stressing,resist chemical aggression or be non-slip or elastic. In addition, the paint sys-tem has to be adaptable to the various substrates such as aluminium, steel,plastic and glass-reinforced polyester.

Spies Hecker therefore supports itscustomers with expert advice. Togetherwith the bodyshop, it devises specialpaint system recommendations andoptimises work processes to makeapplication more efficient. “We wantcommercial vehicles to stay on the road.Time laid up in the bodyshop is costlyfor the owner,” explains Arno Steyns,Spies Hecker commercial vehicle spe-cialist.With the Spies Hecker Permafleet®

paint system, time out of service is mini-mised, as the system can be perfectlyadapted to the various jobs. These canbe paint finishes for buses and coaches,resprays, commercial vehicle repairs orpaintwork for special requirements, e.g.tank trucks, containers and aluminiumside-boards.“A bodyshop using this system canchoose from three different paint qual-ities. The central element in all cases,however, is high-grade Permafleet®

Top Coat 670/675,” Arno Steyns adds.

Superlative service.

In addition, customers are given prac-tical working aids such as TechnicalData Sheets, Permafleet® work postersand the practical Mixing Ratio Disc.Furthermore, the bodyshop is alsosupplied with an individual workshopposter showing the various productsused and application recommenda-tions. Spies Hecker provides support in the equipment sector as well. Withmixing sticks, DIN cups, cleaning and

Permafleet® all round.Efficient products, competent service – Spies Hecker lends strong support to painters of commercial vehicles.


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Leading makers of commercial vehicles use Spies Hecker expertise.

Good cooperation.

Fast and high-quality vehicle refinishing is also highly valued in the commercial vehicle repair sector. Fleet vehicles have to stay on the road, for time laid up is costly for the operator. Leading makers of commercial vehicles therefore opt for thehigh-speed Spies Hecker product systems for accident repairs.

Powerful partner for powerful brands.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has also been impressed by the special Permafleet® with the top coats of Series 600 and has approved the Spies Hecker commercial vehicle product range for brand-oriented repairs. No less close is the cooperation with Volvo Trucks. An agreement on the global use of the product systems for vehicle refinishing has just been re-signed.In France, Scania Trucks has started to use Permafleet® in its Paris PDI centre andin some of its dealer locations.Good cooperation is also much appreciated at MAN Trucks. The German commercialvehicle manufacturer is intensifying its existing partnership. After approval of the Spies Hecker products, both companies are working together to make the MAN Repair Guide that will be available online in 27 languages for bodyshopsthroughout the world.

Arno Steyns, Spies Hecker commercial vehicle specialist,

talking to a customer.

Manufacturer: Marcel Boschung Ltd. (Switzerland).Paintwork: VS-Lackierzentrum (Germany).


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Chameleon paint.Iridescent effects are on the advance – with the new mixing colours containing ChromaFlair® pigments that repair OEM effect colours to perfection.

Copper changes gently to gold – effect pigments can createbewitching colour effects. However, the replication of multi-colour paintwork in the repair process can be a real challenge.Spies Hecker has included six special mixing colours in itsproduct line so that the roughly 30 original series colourscan be accurately reproduced with ChromaFlair® pigmentsduring refinishing.What makes the new ChromaFlair® mixing colours special isthat their pigments display high colour intensity, stability andeffect. Thanks to ease of application and good coverage, optimum painting results are assured. Another benefit isthat the paint materials are easy to handle and hence easy to integrate in the bodyshop’s work processes.As of now, Spies Hecker partners can obtain the OEMcolours with ChromaFlair® pigments at their Spies Heckeroutlet or from their Spies Hecker distributor. Readily-mixedand ready for application.

Clearly superior.Application in two coats with the user-friendly newSpies Hecker Permasolid® HS Clear Coat 8034.

Quick and simple application, material that goes a long way and optimalresults – the Permasolid® HS Clear Coat 8034 is geared to the needs of bodyshops. “On our new clear coat, we’ve enhanced the product propertiesthat make the application process even easier for the refinisher,” stressesFrank Barduna, head of the international Spies Hecker Training Center.The VOC-compliant Permasolid® HS Clear Coat 8034 shows a good verticalstability and easy application in two coats. It can be adapted perfectly to different temperatures and climates by a choice of various VHS hardeners. For a partial or full respray, Permasolid® HS Clear Coat 8034 delivers cost-effective application in the bodyshop with high-quality refinish results.


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Arriving at preciselythe right colour.

And the digital ColorDialog spectrocomes with new features. The new multiple correction mode, for instance,permits not only a check of the originalcolour, but also identifies the colour of a sample panel and corrects deviationsin the colour formula. This way theapplication conditions are included inthe analysis. A time-saving, cost-effectiveprocess from colour identificationthrough to the dazzling finish.

There’s a current trend towards unob-trusiveness, and Europe’s motoristslove black, silver and grey. However,according to a recent study, effect finishes are growing in popularity, andthere is an increasing shift towards shades of blue and red. The diversity of effects and colours will continue togrow. And all this adds to the challengeof vehicle refinishing.

This is why more and more bodyshopsare using digital colour management forcolour identification, formula searchesand mixing refinish paints. Hardware andsoftware for electronic colour analysisare today a standard feature of workprocesses in the workshop and mixingroom. “And the interest in them is growing,” explains Spies Hecker ColourCoordinator Dietmar Wegener. SpiesHecker has been supporting bodyshopsfor many years with its colour softwareCRplus and the ColorDialog spectro.These colour tools are subject to ongoingfurther development – for greater effi-ciency and accuracy in colour identifi-cation.

Clicking into the future.

For instance, the professionals fromSpies Hecker have yet again improvedthe user-friendliness of the CRpluscolour software. User comfort is en-hanced by a new, neatly laid out userinterface. Larger buttons make the pro-gram easier to use. In addition, CRplusalso comes with functions for effectivematerials management: New softwaremodules give the business owner aquick overview of quantities used, stocklevels and orders. Dietmar Wegener:“The various modules can be adaptedperfectly to the needs of the bodyshopin question.”

More colour. Effective colour management for greater assurance during refinishing.

Dietmar Wegener,Spies Hecker Colour Coordinator.


Please visit our website at www.spieshecker.com

Application recommendations.RaderalIR Premium Putty 2035

Permaloid SiliconeRemover 7010 / Permaloid SiliconeRemover 7799

Putty work life3-5 min. / 20°C

2-3% (by weight) Raderal Hardener0909

20-30 min. / 20°C 3-5 min. / 20°C P 120-320 P 80-240


50% MS Dura plus8580 / Reducer3364 / 3365

18-20 sec. DIN,4 mm / 20°C

1.3-1.5 mm, 3-4 bar,HVLP: 1.5-1.7 mm

1-3 coats = 10-50 μm

10-60 min. / 20°C, depending on application method

Wet grinding withP800-1000

Priomat1K Wash Primer 4085

PermasolidHS Premium Surfacer 5310

PermahydBase Coat Series 280 + 285

PermasolidHS Clear Coat 8035


4:1 by vol. with HSPermasolid Hardener or7:1 by vol. with VHS Permasolid Hardener

1.6-1.8 mm, 1.5-3 barHVLP: 1.5-1.9 mm

1-3 coats = 80-200 μm recommended film thickness, with flash-off time

80-150 μm = 30 min. / 60°C, 150-250 μm = 40 min. / 60°C

80-150 μm =10-15 min., 150-250 μm =15-20 min.

With random orbitalsander and dustextractionP400-500

Permahyd SiliconeRemover 7080

Approx. 10% Permahyd Demineralized Water 6000

Mixing viscosity 1.2-1.3 mm, 2-2.5 bar, HVLP / WSB: 1.3 mm

1 spray pass = 1 tackcoat, followed by 1 normal full coat

10-20 min. flash-off till matt surface, dependingon kind of drying

2:1 by vol. withPermasolid HSHardener

Mixing viscositywork life: RFU 60-90 min. / 20°C

1.2-1.3 mm, 2-2.5 bar,HVLP: 1.3-1.4 mm

1.5 coats = 50-60 μm

5-10 min. 20-30 min. / 60°C 10-20 min.

04.11.2008 15:46:05

Industrial business is nothing new inFürstenzell in Bavaria. This is where thestaff of business owner Thomas Lehnerhave been painting window systems,plastic covers and steel elements forover 20 years – a side-line activity that has helped to offset fluctuations in refinishing business. Firm ownerUlrike Kruse in Delbrück in easternWestphalia has also branched out intoindustrial coating. About 30% of hersales are now generated in the indus-trial sector.

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Customised.

Whatever its speciality – cars, commer-cial vehicles or industrial coatings –each firm has its own paint systemrecommendation. So that the team has a source of ready reference, SpiesHecker offers work posters geared tothe specific bodyshop. Together with aSpies Hecker adviser, the businessowner selects the paint system recom-mendations. From this information, theadviser puts together a large-formatpaint system poster that workshopemployees can refer to in their everydaywork. This way, the refinish is spot-onfrom the putty through to the clear coatand makes an additional valuable con-tribution to quality assurance. Every-thing at a glance – every work step andevery product.

Staying flexible.Refinishers can branch out with the Permaflex industrial coating system.

Work posters provide effective support in the bodyshop.

A system for industrial coating.

They and other business owners havenow put the Spies Hecker Permaflexindustrial coating system to the prac-tical test. Thomas Lehner: “Applicationis easy, and a variety of surface finishescan be efficiently created. Substratessuch as aluminium, galvanised steelpanels and plastics require absoluteflexibility, and this is not a problemthanks to the broad Permaflex range.”Ulrike Kruse reports on her experience:“With the product system, we’ve paintedsuch items as plastic window frames –no priming, no sanding. That surprisedme. We’re now changing over to the newcoating system as it will optimise ourpainting process.”


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Overcoming the crisis – now is the time to act.

The current market situation is difficult,and there’s no end in sight. But what’sthe best way for bodyshops to react to the crisis? What really counts is thatyou plan and act as an entrepreneur.

Conserve your liquidity!

Keep a close eye on costs – of mate-rials, operation and labour – in yourbusiness. If you can stay in the black,you have a clear advantage. And you’llbe better placed with your bank. It makes it easier to obtain loans andcreates greater financial scope. As faras suppliers are concerned, you shouldmake use of cash discounts or agree on as long a period for payment as possible.Effective debt management can alsotake the strain off your finances.Invoices should always be written assoon as each job is completed. Reward

your customers for swift payment. Theaccounts department should identifydebts in arrears early on and send outreminders in good time. What is veryimportant is to check the creditworthi-ness of new customers.

Motivate your staffwith dialogue and strong leadership.

You should talk openly about difficulttimes. Obviously, it is the businessowner who takes the decisions, but histeam has to go with him. Show strongleadership and enter into open dialoguewith your employees. Tell them aboutthe firm’s current situation. This way itis easier to communicate radical de-cisions. A useful approach here is tointroduce timesheets. In times of slackbusiness, unworked hours are recordedon the timesheet, and in busier timesthese can be worked off with overtime.

Grab the bull by the horns!

Marketing pays off!

Now is the time to actively attract cus-tomers. With proactive campaigns suchas tyre special offers, repairs of minordamage at highly competitive rates, andoffers for vehicle preparation and in-spection, the business will score with itscustomers. Generate more business.Bonus offers have a positive effect oncapacity utilisation in the workshop, asyour customers are currently price-conscious as well. Go onto the offensivewith advertisements or mailing cam-paigns. Attractive offers of services forexisting customers will also strengthenyour competitive position and boostcustomer loyalty. Take advantage ofColors Unlimited International (CUI), the Spies Hecker expertise programme.

Boost income with a second line of business.

Take advantage of periods of slack busi-ness to realign the firm strategically.Venture into new fields such as indus-trial coating and design finishing, fleetand leasing companies, insurance com-panies and claim adjusters. A carefulanalysis will help you to discover newsources of income and tap extra po-tential. This way you can put yourself in a better position – and grab the bullby the horns.


Speedy students.

Diamonds are forever.

Whenever paintwork sparkles with Swarovski crystals and high-carat diamonds, you can be sure that the Seelos firm in Fritzens in Austria, a long-standing Spies Hecker customer, has been at work. With the patented Crystal Skin system,Karl Seelos and his team have brought glamour to the world of cars. For this, gemsare integrated in the paint surface in a special process and sealed. Like on theRinspeed “zaZen”, the concept car of the Swiss car designer Frank M. Rinderknecht.Such celebrities as the British Royal Family, the Sultan of Brunei, Georgio Armani,BMW, Porsche and Audi commission exclusive designs from Spies Hecker partnerSeelos – to give their cars that extra sparkle of prestige.www.seelos.at

Spies Hecker lends its support to young designers.

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W o r l d w i d e

Design, develop and produce a Formula 1car – this was the challenging task ofthe Formula Student internationaldesign competition. 78 prototypes fromall over the world were presented in2008 at such famous race circuits as the Hockenheimring in Germany.Among them was the Race-Ing. Team of Dortmund’s College for Higher Professional Training in Germany. “Webuilt our sports car ourselves,” StefanRathmann of the 25-strong team ex-plains. Building the body, power trainand engine, the students of the vehicleand transport engineering course am-bitiously took up the challenge, fundingtheir car solely with donations. Theblack-and-gold paintwork was suppliedby paint manufacturer Spies Hecker.The outcome is a 100 hp, 280 kilo racecar with a carbon fibre chassis and aneye-catching exterior.


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Focus on fashion.

True masters.

Highly motivated bodyshops all over the world competed for inclusion in the Spies Hecker Calendar 2009, and over 300 entrants from 25 countries sent in theirmasterpieces. “The success of Spies Hecker’s ‘Masterpieces’ shows that the tradeis creative, enthusiastic and passionate about what it does,” explains Peter Wingenfrom Spies Hecker Marketing. The best of the best in 2009 is the Finnish Krohnsbodyshop with its restored VW T1 Custom in a design finish. 2nd place went toAregger in Switzerland for its design-finished cigarette speedboat, and 3rd came theEco-Volvo C30 from the Bilia bodyshop in Sweden.The outstanding quality of the work received has been reflected by the response to the calendar. Peter Wingen: “Over the last four years, a total of 1,500 bodyshopsfrom all over the world have participated – a resounding success.” And the interestis as strong as ever. The 2010 calendar is continuing the tradition. “The competitionis thus moving into its fifth round – and we’re again expecting an abundance of outstanding work.” This is a great opportunity for the bodyshop to present its “masterpiece” to the trade public. For Peter Wingen is convinced that “every body-shop is a hotbed of talent.”

Matt and natural hues are thecolours of the future on the catwalksof the world – and no less so at theInternational Madrid Motor Show. Incooperation with car maker Ford andpaint manufacturer Spies Hecker,David Delfin, a well known Spanishdesigner, has converted the currentFocus Coupé-Cabriolet into a genuine trendsetter. The conceptcar abounds with elegance and originality inside and outside.

The winners have been chosen: The best Masterpieces 2009 in the Spies Hecker competition come from Finland, Switzerland and Sweden.


Matching new colours is easier than you think. Use ColorDialog spectro with the CRplus software andyou will identify the right formulation in seconds. A great combination of tools for your bodyshop.

Some refinishers find colors with ease.

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Spies Hecker – simply closer.

Spies Hecker GmbH • Horbeller Str. 17 • 50858 Köln • GermanyTel.: +49 (0) 2234 6019-4240 • Fax: +49 (0) 2234 6019-4100 • www.spieshecker.com


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colorexpert 1/2009 international