ISSUE 27 NOVEMBER 2020 IN THIS ISSUE GREAT AUSTRALIAN ACHIEVEMENT SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE BODYSHOP 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS A MESSAGE FROM THE 3 Stunning Art by Ryan Cribbin 4 Perfect Autobody, NZ MANAGING DIRECTOR 5 West Coast Smash Repairs, WA YOUR PASSION. OUR COATINGS. 6-7 Energy Efficiency in the Bodyshop 2020, a year that has been challenging for 8-9 Brabham Automotive many people and businesses, is coming to a close. Through all the obstacles of the year, 10 Social Media Tips I am heartened to see the many amazing projects featured in this issue of The Ultimate 11 Alphatex Industries Finish, and the passion of our customers 12 Vale Stuart Aisbett continuing to shine through. 12 Useful Bodyshop Tools Our cover photo features a stunning Signature Series limited edition BT62R from Brabham 13 Flight Youth Engineering Automotive. Axalta has recently joined the exclusive team bringing limited edition BT62 vehicles to life with our premium Standox coatings. Read 14 Tech Tip: Colour Library more about this partnership on pages 8 and 9. 14 Tech Tip: Get the Light Right On page 13, you can read about our support of a STEM education program 15 East Maitland Body Repairs with Flight Youth Engineering. This program offers high school students a unique experience – learning how to build and fly a plane. MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS As many are looking for opportunities to save money, we dive into ways you can make your bodyshop more energy efficient on pages 6 and 7. Editor-in-Chief Steven Brett Further to this, on page 14 we look at how you can improve efficiency in another area of your bodyshop by building up a colour library. Editorial Rosanna Melluso Coordinators and Nancy Lane Finally, we offer some tips on how you can increase your presence on social media on page 10. Art Director Cathy Green Copywriter Veronica Miller Enjoy the read. Sincerely, Do you have a great story? We’d love to hear it! Email [email protected] or call 1800 292 582. Steven Brett Follow us on Social Media Managing Director Axalta Coating Systems Did you know Axalta Australia and New Zealand has a presence on multiple social media channels? Follow us today to stay up to date with the latest industry and product news. @axaltaAU axaltaANZ axaltaanz axalta-australia Published by Axalta Coating Systems. © 2020 Axalta Coating Systems LLC and its affiliates. Third party logos are property of their respective owners. All rights reserved. Axalta Coating Systems 16 Darling Street, Marsden Park, NSW, 2765 T 1800 292 582 (AXALTA) E [email protected] 3 STUNNING ART MADE WITH DUXONE PAINT Ryan Cribbin is an accomplished artist who has been creating gorgeous artwork for more than 17 years. His work includes automotive artwork, murals, film work and make-up effects. Ryan recently started using Axalta’s Duxone range for his artwork, not only on vehicles, but also on a wall mural on the Sunshine Coast. “The Duxone paint flows really well through the airbrush and I can get a pretty fine detail with it,” Ryan explained. “When you‘re doing this kind of work, you don’t use the standard mixing ratios you would when you are painting a vehicle. I think the Duxone paint allows for finer lines and it enhances the work I’m doing.” Ryan completed a mural for the Kenilworth Bakery in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Painted on a concrete wall, the mural features famous musicians including Bob Marley, Slash, Elvis and Lady Gaga. The design for the commission was based on the theme of the bakery, and Ryan was given a list of artists the owners wanted on the wall before being told “go for it!” “The reason I use automotive paint for this type of work is that it’s way more durable, flows better and I get better detail. It holds up better on the wall and I put a concrete and paver clear coat over the top to seal the base coat.” The work is stunning and will be enjoyed for years to come by locals and visitors to the region. Ryan also shares his skills and experience to enthusiastic students at Brisbane Refinishing Supplies, teaching them automotive airbrushing, where the students learn to create art on cars, motorcycles and even helmets. Distributor: Brisbane Refinish Supplies Paint System: Duxone 4 A PERFECT ACCOLADE FOR CHRISTCHURCH BODY SHOP Located in Christchurch, New Zealand, Perfect Auto Body “With the three directors driving the business, we have was recently named “Overall Best Business” at the New been focusing on delivering quality to our customers whilst Zealand Collision Repair Association National Conference. being able to handle high volumes,” Wayne explained. The shop was nominated for “Best Shop Upgrade” following its recent expansion, but walked away with the The trio have now set their sights on marketing the business ultimate accolade. further afield in order to broaden their customer base. With their complementary skills and dedication to growth, Perfect Auto Perfect Auto Body was taken over by current owner, Wayne Body has become a significant player not just in Christchurch, Houghton in 1988. Wayne spent the next few years building the but the entire country. business, firstly extending the original concrete-block building, before moving to a large, modern building in 2004. In 2016, Wayne feels that his personal experiences and the challenges Wayne sold 50 percent of the business to Paul Choat and Garry of business ownership also provide unique insights for his other Williams. Garry, a panel beater, looks after the collision repairs, role as the Axalta Services Consultant for New Zealand and help and Paul, a painter, oversees refinishing. keep him more in touch with the industry. He is able to draw on his knowledge to help other bodyshops on their road to success. Together, the three directors concentrated on driving efficiencies – and soon the throughput of cars outpaced the room available. Distributor – LJ Smits So in 2018, when the building next door became available, they Paint System – Permahyd Hi-Tec, Spies Hecker decided to lease the property to allow them to grow. The refurbished facility now features a large, welcoming reception area, 600sqm collision repair department and 1,000sqm refinish and vehicle reassembly area. The areas have been designed to optimise the efficiencies of the work areas, while minimising the need to move people or vehicles. The refinish section features a double prep bay and two USI spray booths, where they use the Spies Hecker Hi-Tec waterborne system. Below: The refurbished facility at Perfect Auto Body. Above: Reception area at Perfect Auto Body. 5 SUCCESS LEADS TO BIGGER PREMISES FOR PERTH BODYSHOP Since purchasing the business in 1986 and relocating to Perth in 1991, Matt Newson has seen his business, West Coast Smash Repair, go from strength to strength, resulting in the need to upsize his operation to a spacious new facility. The family-run business started with only two to three The premises feature two purpose-built spray booths employees. After recognising a gap in the market, Matt to accommodate the large trucks and machinery, a new expanded the business services to include large trucks and environmental filter exhaust system and a separate detailing machinery repairs, as there weren’t many companies able to and car wash area. A new storage area for the paint system, do this kind of work in Perth. This was a decision that payed off new air lines and a truck chassis inverted spot welder were for Matt as there are now 16 people employed, including two also installed. The facility also boasts a separate office for highly qualified tradesman to oversee and manage both the assessors to use when they come in. panel and paint departments, as well as an apprentice in each. A Cromax paint system resides in the paint room, providing Matt The outstanding quality of work produced by the team, and the team with flexibility in painting different vehicles. combined with excellent customer service, saw a significant increase in work over the last 12 months. To continue to meet “We really like the paint,” says Matt. “It goes on flat and demand and achieve the best results, West Coast Smash stays shiny and the colours are great for colour matching.” Repair moved to the new premises in June this year. Distributor – Park Automotive “We needed a bigger workshop as we were getting a lot of Paint System – Cromax work,” explained Matt. “The old premises were too small but it was important to get the refurbishment of the new location right to ensure that the change over was smooth and with no interruption to our clients.” Moving to a new facility allowed Matt to design a shop to meet his current and future needs. As larger vehicles make up the majority of the work for the bodyshop, the premises have been designed specifically to accommodate work on these vehicles, while also ensuring that the workshop facilitates an efficient flowthrough of the vehicles through each section, from the panel department, to paint, to detailing, with minimal interruption. Pictured: Purpose-built new premises for West Coast Smash Repair. 6 ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE BODYSHOP HOW CAN YOU REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION? With continued pressure on profit margins, bodyshop owners Air Compressors are constantly looking at ways to save money. Energy is a Between spray booths and air compressors, these two items big cost, and with the price of gas and electricity increasing make up over 60 percent of energy consumption in a bodyshop. significantly over the last 10 years, saving energy is important. When it comes to air compressors, the biggest drain on There are multiple ways to reduce energy consumption in your energy is caused by leaks in the line.