In our first post on spot repair systems, it became clear that this type of repair offers the possibility of improving the profitability and management of the daily planning of the bodyshop. We also detailed what kind of jobs can be considered as such and what conditions eliminate this possibility.
However, there are still some technical questions to be explained, such as: Are there specific products for this type of repair? Are there tools focused on quick repairs? Are the spot repair work processes different from the usual one? To complete our series of three articles related to spot repairs, and in today’s post we are going to talk about the products and tools for this type of repair. Today we are going to talk about products and tools for spot repairs, and in our third and final post we will analyze the work processes associated with spot repairs.
Let’s get started!
Products and tools used in spot repair
The bodyshop requires a wide variety of paint products, some of them require or are combined with specific tools. Of all of them, some of common use can be perfectly used to perform spot repairs, while others have a much more defined orientation towards this type of work. In any case, we can consider as a valid product or tool for spot repair all those that help to reduce the time of intervention and the time the vehicle spends in the bodyshop.
In this sense, and within the materials of common use, we find the following consumables:
- Aerosol paints. Aerosols or sprays have been a reality for years in the day-to-day life of a paint store bodyshop. The most commonly used aerosol paints today are primers, adhesion promoters, blurring solvents, anti-graffiti paints and textured or smooth paints for plastics, although many others such as one- and two-component clear coats, wheel rim paints, anti-caloric paints, phosphate, zinc or universal primers, sanding guides or even degreasers are marketed, and the Aircolor range offers all kinds of solutions.
Whatever the purpose of the aerosol in question, the interest of aerosols from the point of view of spot repair comes from the convenience they offer, since they eliminate the need to clean the application guns, due to their speed and ease of application. However, they are products with specific and limited applications, so they should not be used as a substitute for their spray gun counterparts. In addition, when using it is necessary to take into account the need to shake them for a couple of minutes to ensure their homogeneity, apply them according to the manufacturer’s instructions and empty the outlet duct after application by pressing the diffuser with the can in the inverted position.
- Masking products. Among the masking products that contribute to reducing intervention time are masking films in their different formats, both those including masking tape and those intended for complete masking of the vehicle. The only precaution to take into account when applying them is that full vehicle films must be correctly oriented with the indicated side facing outwards.
On the other hand, the masking process can also be speeded up by using larger width masking tapes, which facilitates the process of adhering films without tape and paper to the profiled contour.
- Sanding products and tools. The use of sandpaper with anti-wetting, multi-hole or ceramic-grit technologies reduces abrasive wear and improves efficiency, helping to speed up the repair process, while the use of 75 mm or even smaller rotorbits makes it possible to limit the area of action, favoring the spot repair ratio.
On the other hand, and within the products with technical development focused on spot repair, we find the following materials and tools:
- UV curing products and tools. UV curing products are one of the best options currently available to apply spot repair processes on small damages. Their main characteristic is that they offer a drying time of between 1 and 5 minutes, which drastically reduces the drying times of conventional products, while avoiding stops in the repair process and reducing the intervention time and the time the vehicle spends in the bodyshop.
When using these products it is necessary to have the specific tooling (spray gun with opaque cup and LED UVA curing lamp) and follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the preparation of the substrate prior to application, and the way and time of drying. You can find detailed information about this technology in previous publications such as “All the really important things you should know about UV putties” or “7 Keys that will help you to achieve an effective process with UV curing technology“.
- Fast drying paints. The different brands offer the bodyshop fast drying products focused on spot repair. Generally, primers and clear coats are marketed with this particularity that allow reducing drying times and, thus, being able to deliver the vehicle earlier than it would be usual with traditional products.
On the other hand, it is also important to remember that certain accelerating additives and fast hardeners and/or diluents influence the drying time, so when using these products it is essential to see the options offered by the manufacturer in this regard.
- Air-drying clear coat. Air-drying clear coats Kronox 3700 are another type of paint that can improve the workflow in the bodyshop by significantly reducing the time required to be dry, as it offers complete drying at 20°C in 50 minutes, without the need for drying equipment, although if used, this time can be further reduced.
As in the case of fast primers and clear coats, it is necessary to know the catalyst and dilution options offered by the manufacturer to speed up the drying process.
- Infrared drying lamps. This type of lamps are a very interesting complement to accelerate the drying of putties, primers and standard drying clear coats. However, when using them, it is important to carry out the drying at one meter of the piece and as many times as necessary until covering the whole refinishing surface. In addition, the use of short-wave infrared is necessary for effective drying.
- Wet-on-wet (W/W) primers. The assembly of a spare part implies the necessity of priming the part to improve the adhesion of the matt base, which inevitably increases the intervention time and the time the vehicle spends in the bodyshop. Therefore, to avoid this inconvenience, there are certain types of replacements that have a short time in the expert report and can be considered quick jobs, such as the replacement of a front wing or a bumper, which can be speeded up by applying a wet-on-wet primer to the replacement part, since the drying time is eliminated, although not the evaporation time, and the sanding process.
- Polishes and polishers of the latest generation. The polishes and polishers of the latest generation are more versatile than the traditional ones, a feature that allows working processes to be carried out in a single step. In addition, they do not include oils and lubricants in their composition, which makes it possible to carry out high quality and long-lasting polishes that prevent the return of the vehicle. On the other hand, the use of these polishes with double or triple action orbital polishers, or eccentric rotary polishers facilitates and perfects the polishing process. You can learn more about these tools in previously published articles such as these: “ Tips for applying polishes on bodywork ” or “Polishes, an indispensable product in the industrial sector“.
- Plenums and portable booths. Due to the characteristics of a spot repair, it is not necessary to carry out the paint application in a closed booth, so by having a suction plenum or portable booths, this work can be carried out quickly and reliably. Thus, the closed paint store booth is reserved for larger jobs, reducing the energy consumption associated with this type of repair.
With the necessary tools and products, it is possible to make a repair profitable without losing quality or service.
Spot repairs are characterized by their faster execution, so based on this premise, it is common sense to dedicate the necessary material resources to obtain from them the benefits for the bodyshop associated with such speed. Thus, by using and combining the aforementioned products and tools, it is possible to offer repairs that do not entail a loss of quality and, even less, of service.
And this is the end of today’s post on spot repair but remember that we have a third post in which we will talk about the work processes associated with this type of repairs, so stay tuned to our social media so you don’t miss this post.
