A: On a "per unit" (pint, quart, gallon) basis the waterborne basecoat will cost more than the solvent borne basecoat. However the opacity of waterborne basecoat is superior to solvent borne basecoat due to higher solids content. So the repair will consume less paint with waterborne basecoat and will mitigate some of the higher cost per unit. Additionally, waterborne basecoats tend to require less reduction compared to solvent borne basecoats. It is likely that Cromax® Pro waterborne basecoat will use 25 to 50% less volume compared to solvent borne basecoat.

Clearly the industry will have to get comfortable with applied cost comparisons because the economics of ready to spray comparisons will not matter very much.

 

 

A: A lot will depend on the equipment that the shop already has in place. With waterborne technology it is beneficial to have a facility that can effect some degree of climate control (temperature and humidity). A down draft booth with air make up will be very desirable for the future paint shop that uses waterborne base coat.

Assuming the shop is well equipped, some small upgrades will be very helpful to take full advantage of the benefits that Cromax® Pro waterborne basecoat can deliver. For the down draft booth, air blowers that create turbulent air over the wet basecoat create a great productivity boost. Several options exist that can be integrated into the spray, dry and cure cycle of a down draft booth.

Aside from the elaborate booth systems, shops can greatly benefit from portable blower systems (venturi). These portable blowers will offer the same drying productivity noted above and can be acquired at a fairly low price. The limitations are the size of the repair and the ability to create the turbulent air over the entire repair surface.

The incentive for the "blowers" are reducing dry times to about 15 minutes from ranges of 30 to 60 minutes depending on film thickness and climate. The blowers will be rather essential in conditions of very high humidity.

Additional equipment will include dedicated Cromax® Pro waterborne basecoat spray guns, and gun washer, separate waste streams and waste removal. Plastic or lined cans, plastic paint sticks, and nylon mesh strainers will be needed. Higher quality tape and masking supplies as well as improved house keeping in the paint department will also be useful.

 

 

A: The Cromax® Pro colors will be matched to vehicle parts that best represent the majority of vehicles in the market place. In many cases Cromax® Pro will be a very good match to the ChromaBase® and ChromaPremier® formulas. However, it is important to understand that flake appearance of metallic colors is often brighter and cleaner compared to their solvent counterparts. Application will also impact the quality of the color match.

 

 

A: VINdicator™, and the Acquire Rx™ will be available for formula retrieval and color adjustment. The X-Pert™ automated mixing system will also be available for Cromax® Pro. The combination of these color tools yields the best possible color match results.

 

 

A: Cromax® Pro productivity can meet or exceed the productivity of solvent borne basecoat in a well equipped shop. Cromax® Pro has a distinct advantage for productivity in the case of poor hiding colors, due to its 1.5 coat to hide, with no flash between coats. For good hiding colors Cromax® Pro is equal to, or slightly faster for cycle time. The poorly equipped shop will be at the mercy of the climate for the region and the weather condition of a given day.

Air blowing systems (booth or portable) will be key to achieve the productivity advantages of Cromax® Pro.

 

 

A: Yes. Dedicated guns and gun cleaners will be required and the solvent and water waste streams must be separate and distinct from clean up to waste removal.