Coatings World - March 2017

PPG’s automotive refinish busi- ness has developed several key advances in its popular array of color software and hardware tools. Denise Lu, PPG global marketing director, said that while specifics are still under wraps, dramatic enhancements to PAINTMANAGER color management software, the RAPIDMATCH X- 5 spectrophotometer and the TOUCHMIX color retrieval system are clear expressions of PPG’s commitment to maintaining its leadership position in automotive refinish color technology.

“We have been working on critical ini-
tiatives that will elevate our color tools
to a whole new level, all to the benefit
of our customers,” Lu said. “Those indi-
viduals who attended the SEMA Show
and saw our video about color tools
have an idea of what’s coming. Our color
management, identification and retrieval
products are already highly efficient and
accurate; they’re in daily use in collision
centers around the country. Now we’re
giving these products advanced features
and capabilities to make automotive re-
finishing even easier, more productive and
more quality-focused.”
The advanced tools will be part of a
new Color Solutions product line brand-
ed XI. “XI means excellent, innovative,
exciting, intuitive and exceptional, all
key attributes for this line of tools. We
firmly believe that our customers will
quickly see and embrace the value of XI
products, and we are proud of bringing
25 years of consistent, reliable color-
matching technology to the refinish in-
dustry,” Lu added.

The first of the three initiatives, the TouchMix XI computer, was released this month in the U.S. and Canada. Exclusive to PPG, this robust Windows OS computer provides a secure and compact solution for the most demanding environments.

Second is the PaintManager XI program software. It will be rolled out across the U.S. and Canada this spring and introduced to additional markets soon thereafter. This next-generation software features numerous process improvements and a more intuitive workflow to help managers oversee the productivity and profitability of their paint mixing operations more effectively. The new software also provides greater opportunities for collaboration.

Rounding out the trio of new tools is the RapidMatch XI spectrophotometer. This third-generation spectrophotometer was designed exclusively for PPG to significantly advance collision repair. The innovative spectrophotometer combines 11 color angles and five texture angles for a total of 16 geometries powered with six blue-enhanced LEDs, making it the most advanced technology in the industry today. Technicians will be able to benefit from the five texture digital color images that provide real-time paint surface viewing. In addition, the intuitive touchscreen user interface captures vital job details with Wi-Fi connectivity directly to the PaintManager XI software. PPG’s extensive reflectance data and color image database will help provide the added confidence required in match rating and texture information.

Axalta Coating Systems
Introduces Alesta Lync Dry-
on-Dry System

Axalta Coating Systems has introduced Alesta Lync, an innovative Dry-on-Dry (DOD) powder coating application system. Alesta Lync is a cost effective solution to the energy consuming process of conventional two layer systems that require two separate bake cycles. It is also engineered to provide a significant performance improvement compared to single layer systems.

With its unique topcoat and primer
combination, Alesta Lync is designed
to provide two paint layers but require
only one cure cycle. As a result, Alesta
Lync reduces process time, paint shop
footprint and capital investment while
increasing productivity. The process is
energy-efficient and has excellent edge
corrosion protection. By contrast, tradi-
tional direct to metal monolayer powder
systems often fail to protect edges, as sur-
face tension during the liquid state causes
paint to pull away from sharp edges.
Conventional two-layers systems require
an intermediate bake step between primer
and topcoat.

“Alesta Lync is the result of Axalta sci-
entists around the world listening to the
needs of our customers and then working
closely with them to develop an innova-
tive technology that is designed to im-
prove their business,” said Michael Cash,
Axalta senior vice and president and
president, Industrial Coatings. “I couldn’t
be more excited about this new system,
and I look forward to seeing the creative
ways our customers will take advantage
of its value.”
Alesta Lync has been engineered ini-
tially for ACE segment coaters, but also
is suitable for many other general indus-
trial applications. Coaters using direct to
metal systems today can get better edge
coverage and corrosion resistance with
Alesta Lync without having to add an ad-
ditional oven to gel cure a primer.

BASF Introduces
MasterEmaco T 5000
Chemical Resistant Repair
Mortar and Grout

The Construction Chemicals division of BASF Corporation tlaunched MasterEmaco T 5000, a chemical resistant repair mortar and grout. The product is available in North America.