1 September 2024 – White has been the most popular car colour choice globally for several years. Axalta’s 2022 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report revealed 34% of cars globally are a shade of white, with pearlescent whites making up 14% of that figure. However, pearlescent whites can be tricky for refinishers when it comes to repairs, which is why Spies Hecker has created an efficient process to repair this challenging finish.

Tony Mitchell, International Training Leader for Axalta's Refinish business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, says, “We believe in supplying our bodyshops with innovative products and an optimal process so they can run profitable businesses. Our focus on virtual process training helps our bodyshops get the most out of their paint products and ultimately gives them a competitive edge in a challenging market.”

There are two critical factors for a successful repair of white pearls - ensuring the ground coat is sprayed to full hiding and establishing the number of layers of effect coat required to match the colour and effect. These can only be achieved by accurately producing colour samples before attempting to paint the vehicle. It is also vital refinishers familiarise themselves with the application technique and blending process before starting a 3-stage repair.

Stage one

Clean the vehicle so that accurate colour readings near the damaged area can be taken with the most advanced Spies Hecker spectrophotometer, ColorDialog Phoenix. The refinisher takes the readings from areas that are undamaged, free of scratches, free from surface contamination and as close to the damage as possible. Once an area is chosen, clean it with Permaloid^® Silicone Remover 7010 or a waterborne cleaner such as Permahyd^® Silicone Remover 7080 to remove any surface contamination. Polish the area and clean again using Permahyd Silicone Remover 7080 before measuring the colour. Next, the refinisher measures the colour as usual and retrieves the formula.

An appropriate amount of the colour formula is mixed and spray out cards are created before the car goes into the spraybooth.

Mitchell says, “When producing the spray out cards, position them on an old, larger panel as part of Spies Hecker’s best practice recommendation, and not on the end of a mixing stick. This is to ensure that the application method is identical to that which you will use on the vehicle. Spray the activated ground coat to full hiding and then apply a different number of layers of pearl to each card to create the best match to the original finish.”

Compare the colour cards to the vehicle where the colour measurement was carried out in good daylight conditions and make the decision on which to use. Then prepare and mask the vehicle, as usual.

It is vital to use the correct undercoat colour for the repair. This reduces the number of coats the ground coat requires, helps with hiding and minimises the risk of possible defects. Refinishers should consult Technical Data Sheets for mixing information and spray gun set up.

“If a refinisher picks up the spray gun and uses whatever undercoat colour is left in the spray gun, it can lead to possible defects such as dieback, loss of gloss, adhesion issues and poor through drying, all of which are related to over applying the ground coat to hide the wrong colour undercoat. It’s a win-win-win - for the bodyshop, the customer and the environment - when the correct undercoat colour is used,” says Mitchell.

Move the vehicle into the spraybooth to start and give it a final clean. Then, apply Permahyd Hi-TEC 1050/1051 Blend-in Additive on the blend-in area of the repair, but leave room for the blending of the effect layer in the next stage. Immediately follow this with Permahyd Hi-TEC Base Coat 480, our innovative waterborne base coat, ensuring a smooth connection between the two. Keep this area as small as practically possible to reduce the amount of overspray that drifts out. Lower the spray gun air pressure slightly to aid this.

Mitchell says, “It is important to activate Permahyd Hi-TEC 1050/1051 Blend-in Additive and Permahyd Hi-TEC Base Coat 480 in this first stage as this results in better wetting of the effect layer, easier application, and a superior final finish with improved hardness.”

The application process is followed by a flash off and a short bake time. Refinishers should check the Technical Data Sheet for the right curing time at the recommended temperature.

Stage two

Refinishers must check the surface to make sure it is smooth and ready for the pearl coat. If any problems appear at this stage, spot it in gently with an activated or hardened base coat.

As with the ground coat, repeat the process of applying the Permahyd Hi-TEC 1050/1051 Blend-in Additive and Permahyd Hi-TEC Base Coat 480.

Mitchell says, “In the second stage, refinishers should blend out over the remaining wider area.” After applying the blender and while it is still wet, immediately follow with the pearl colour. Spray to the widest area first and then work back inside, using the same number of spray passes, which are applied wet-on-wet, as the matched spray out card. As the surface may still be slightly warm, consider slower adjustments to help with the application of the effect layer. If needed, refinishers can add 5% to 10% demineralised water into the effect coat to ease the application.

If any problems arise at the end of this stage, simply wash the effect coat off with a waterborne cleaner such as Permahyd Silicone Remover 7080. As the ground coat is dry and activated, it won’t be affected and the second stage can be repeated.

Flash off varies depending on the method used. With an in-booth blowing system, set the temperature to 35^oC to 40^oC for around 10 minutes. For other methods, refinishers should check the Technical Data Sheet.

Stage three

The third and final stage is more straightforward. Refinishers simply apply Permasolid^® HS Clear Coat, flash off, and dry according to the product’s Technical Data Sheet.

Spies Hecker knows 3-stage repair of pearlescent whites can be a challenge, but ultimately it is the result that counts. Permahyd Hi-TEC 1050 Blend-in Additive and Permahyd Hi-TEC Base Coat 480 deliver exactly what refinishers need for these types of repairs: a process with familiar application, a uniform, consistent final appearance and excellent reliability.

For more information about the brand, please visit www.spieshecker.co.za