BASF presents the first UVA-based system at Automechanika South Africa 2009

South Africa’s first Automechanika, a leading international trade fair in the fields of original equipment, aftermarket, workshops etc. within the automotive industry, will be held at the Johannesburg Expo Centre from 18 – 21 March 2009. Over 250 exhibitors and around 8,000 trade visitors are expected to take part in this newly launched international trade fair. Product groups highlighted at the fair include Parts and Systems, Accessories and Tuning as well as Repair & Maintenance and many more. BASF Coatings Services’ stand is listed under the latter product group and is showcasing its innovative products and solutions at its 200 square meter exhibition stand in Hall 6 at stand number 6IOO8.

BASF is exhibiting in partnership with CHIEF, an innovative equipment supplier to the collision repair industry. BASF Coatings Services is a specialist supplier to the collision repair industry located in Cape Town and has eleven branches nationwide. For the refinishing of cars and commercial vehicles, BASF offers topcoat and undercoat materials under the global brands Glasurit® and R-M® which are sold to paint distributors and automotive repair shops. BASF is a leader in the field of waterborne coatings as well as high-solid systems, enhanced by added-value tools for end users. Both BASF brands are well known for their innovative ideas: intelligent systems that make working in the paint shop faster, simpler, safer and ensure perfect refinishing results at the same time.

Glasurit® and R-M®’s UV system puts BASF ahead of the competition on two counts. Firstly, BASF is one of the first manufacturers to launch a complete system to the market, which consists of body filler; primer filler; clear lacquer; blender and the combination lamp. Secondly, BASF has increased safety measures over UVB and UVC technology.

UVA- increased safety
Unlike many competitors, BASF’s lamps use less harmful UVA and infra-red light. The benefits to the bodyshops are obvious. Workshops can use UVA light without expensive, cumbersome shielding: safety goggles for the painter are all that’s needed. Not so with UVB and UVC technology, which mean investing in a shielded workshop area and painters having to wear special protective clothing and a helmet every time. Pure drying time with UVB and UVC light may be quicker, but with UVA technology the improvements in safety; easier handling; higher throughput and no expensive shielding more than make up for this.

Who wouldn’t want to use less harmful UVA technology with a brilliant refinishing result?

Through these state-of-the-art solutions and an excellent client service, BASF Coatings Services has become known not only for its product excellence and technological reliability, but also for consistency in the market place.