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Standox shares tips for professional 3-Stage pearl repairs on large surfaces

Aug 31, 2021 Standox, 3-Stage pearl repairs, Standovision, Axalta, Harald Klöckner


Standox shares tips for professional 3-Stage pearl repairs on large surfaces

 

The latest Standovision training video shows refinishers how to execute a perfect 3-Stage white pearl repair across the full side of a vehicle.

 

Standox, a global refinish brand of Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, has released a new Standovision training video showing refinishers how to achieve a perfect 3-Stage white pearl repair across the full side of a vehicle. White is still the most popular vehicle colour globally at 38 percent, according to Axalta’s 2020 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report. And with 11 percent of white vehicles having a pearl effect, the requirement for 3-Stage repairs is on the rise. 

 

In this latest Standovision video, an Axalta expert guides refinishers through the steps required when processing complex 3-Stage pearl repairs across more than one panel, including how to avoid and to correct errors, for right-first-time results. Harald Klöckner, Axalta International Training Leader and Refinish Product Specialist for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, says, “We’ve listened to our professional refinishers and in direct response to their requests for advice on how to handle tricky 3-Stage pearl repair process on larger surfaces, we have developed this training video. We have focused on techniques using Standoblue Basecoat to avoid issues such as mottling, as well as addressing other challenges refinishers might face.”

 

Preparation and planning - Before starting a three-stage repair, Standox recommends refinishers familiarise themselves with important techniques such as colour sample preparation and blending, essential for any size repair. “Another important preparation point to remember is to use the correct colour filler. For a white pearl effect colour, we recommend a white filler,” says Klöckner.

 

Adjusting for the ambient conditions - Product adjustment at both the ground colour and effect coat stages is even more important when working on a large repair because of the number of overlap zones. Refinishers should try to reduce the number of overlap zones to minimise the possibility of dry spray forming on the yet-to-be painted part of the job. 

In warmer conditions, Standox recommends adjusting the basecoat accordingly to counteract faster-flash-off. Slower product adjustment keeps the film open longer, allowing for better overspray absorption and mottling control. If the ground colour is hardened it will dry faster, so this needs to be taken into account. When hot, a larger nozzle on the spray gun will help maintain application speed and achieve a continual wet film of paint.

 

The best way to spray - When spraying a full vehicle side, refinishers can either start at bottom of the rear wheel arch and work forward, or from the front fender working towards the back. The important thing is to ensure each section is blended-in together to give a continuous film.

 

“This video is designed to be watched in conjunction with the 3-Stage pearl repair process video we released previously as the two can be used alongside each other for maximum effect to help refinishers achieve perfect repairs,” says Klöckner. Both Standox videos - 3-Stage large -3 Stage White Pearl Full Side Application and 3 Stage Pearl Repair Process - can be found on the Standox YouTube channel, http://www.youtube.com/standoxonline. For more information about Standox, visit http://www.standox.co.za. 

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