CWT_Topcoats_July2023

Coffee With The Techies

Session 4 – Topcoats

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The End To End Repair Process

Let’s discuss….

…what do you know about Topcoats?

….and is there anything you want to know at the end of this session?

There are lots of Topcoats in bodyshops

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Let’s simplify the word ‘Topcoat’

= ANY coating you can visibly see on the vehicle

• A basecoat layer (colour) that is under a clearcoat layer is

still visible, so classed as ‘topcoat’

• The untrained eye will not know basecoat and clearcoat, so

all is just known as ‘topcoat’

• Anything classed as ‘topcoat’ must be aligned to a

specific VOC Content Limit for a ‘MVR’ i.e. Compliant coating

• Topcoats give the vehicle its weathering to the elements

• Specific OEM’s will state specific paint brands for a ‘MVR’

Meet the Topcoat family….

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Task: Try to identify a ‘basecoat’ finish from a ‘solid colour’ finish

Microns – what are they?

The make up of OEM paint film…

The make up of REFINISH paint film…

Paint Brands - why so many & what's the differences?

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Basecoat Waterbase Mixing Station

• All paint system brands & tiers have a station

• 100,000+ colour formulations can be made

• FTC brands do not always have latest colours

• All effects (you named earlier) are achievable

• Automatically stirs the paint twice a day BUT not all

WB tinters need stirring….so just have shelves

• Includes a compact shelve to store tinters & primers

The Art of Colour is not as simple as it seems…

Re-Finish

OEM

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The Art of Colour…

How we, with our vision, see colour

Example explained: Red object = reflects red, absorbs other light waves

• Based on our perception • Objects appear coloured due to the way they reflect light waves • Surfaces either 1) reflect or 2) absorb colours

White object = reflects all colours equally Black object = reflects none, absorbs all

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Colour Formulations – what & where

Best practice….

Colour formula + Spray out card = only option

Walkthrough of products…..

• Solid colour single layer process • Mainly used for CV/LIC

• Replicates OEM appearance and colour • Fast application times • Aapprox. 5% of car vehicles re-finished this way • Often referred to as ‘Direct Gloss’

• Also known as SCB • Solid colour two-layer process • Mainly used for car vehicle re-finish

• Replicates OEM appearance and colour • Waterborne basecoat ‘Solid Colour’ • Longevity of appearance

Walkthrough of products…..

• Replicates OEM appearance and colour • Colour mixing schemes have 8 to 14 aluminium tinters • Aluminium tinters will have different size, effect, angle, texture, brightness flakes, all adding to the final effect • Some aluminium tinters are now coated with coloured pigment

Aluminium pigments Produced from atomized aluminium powder

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Pearlescent pigments

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Partially transparent powders created from combining layers of mineral mica with metal oxides

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• Replicates OEM appearance and colour • These pigments add colour, shimmer, sparkle • Used in more complex colour shades

Walkthrough of products…..

• Replicates OEM appearance and colour • 3-stages = ground colour, pearl colour& clearcoat layer • Dedicated process must be followed inc pre-work to get best shade possible before starting repair • Spray out cards must be produced before repair starts • More costly process than traditional metallic colours • Replicates OEM appearance and colour • 4-stages = ground colour, pearl colour, tinted clearcoat & normal clearcoat layer • Dedicated process must be followed inc pre-work to get best shade possible before starting repair • Spray out cards must be produced before repair starts • More costly process than traditional metallic & 3- stage colours

• Colour applied using 3- stages (layers)

• Colour applied using 4- stages (layers)

Walkthrough of products…..

• Effect achieved by interfering with the reflection & refraction of light from the painted object's surface. • The paint contains tiny

• Very specialist high end colour styling • Often thousands of pounds per litre • Small and medium repairs not always possible

synthetic flakes about one micrometre thick.

• The flakes are constructed of

aluminium coated with glass-like magnesium fluoride embedded in semi-translucent chromium

Clearcoat – the purpose

It gives the…

• Gloss in Base & Clear • Protection from the Elements • Flexibility on the components • Effect in Matt colours • Depth in 4-Stage Tinted Clears • Compliancy in Legislation • Non-Scratch in Scratch Resistance Clear

Walkthrough of products…..

• Gives the vehicle a glossy and shiny appearance • Protection over the basecoat colour from; UV Fading, Stone Chips, Chemicals, Abrasion, Dirt etc • Many different types from many manufactures • Many choices for Hardeners & Thinners deodning on repairer needs: • Repair size, Application speed, Drying speed, Warranty, Approvals, Insurance work, Product Cost, Personal Choice Etc • Initially designed for EU markets with car washing restrictions • Also, some specific warranty process • Very hard surface protection from carwashes • Have a ‘self - healing’ property when exposed to heat

• Main product used as part of a standard Re- Finish process

• Special Anti-Scratch Clear • Also known as ‘Scratch - Resistant Clear’

Walkthrough of products…..

• Colour & effect styling • Usually, 5 to 7 different matt levels • Have dedicated ancillary products • Very slow process • Difficult repair, not only have to match colour, but also gloss level. • Larger repair area, can't be ‘blended’ • Dirt nibs, can't be polished • Colour & effect styling • Like Matt clear but has an extra additive that gives the surface a textured effect • Similar process issues as all above with Matt clears • Not only having to match colour and Matt levels, but now have to get correct Texture

• Clearcoat that once cured will dry matt

• Clearcoat that once cured will dry matt and have a textured effect in the coating

Walkthrough of products…..

• Colour styling • 4-Stage process (as per basecoat section) • Small amount of pigment added to clear to give a transparent deep vivid colour effect • Pigment amount will alter the base colour effect • Dedicated paint process • Adds time and cost to the repair • Once applied has to have standard ‘clear’ clearcoat

• Gloss clearcoat • Contains a small amount of pigment

• Specialist clear for adhesion to bare metals • The metal substrate & process must be checked by customer referring to the specific TDS • Limited guarantees on TDS- customer consideration • Usually used on Alloy Wheel repairs

• Direct To Metal Clearcoat

What Basecoat vs. What Purpose/Customer?

FTC/Budget/Causal

OEM Approvals

One Visit

One Visit + Dropcoat

Single Coat Specialist Colours

Info

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Not in Ireland

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Not in Ireland

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Not in Ireland

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Hi-Tec

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Standoblue

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90-Line

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ONYX

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100-Line

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AGILIS

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Not in Ireland

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Ireland & NI only

Don’t forget…..

The door is open all day for any questions you have…