Issue link: https://ppgrefinish-na.uberflip.com/i/417897
Tim Jones Waterborne Segment Manager, PPG Automotive Refinish PPG WATERBORNE IS NOW 10,000 STRONG PPG recently welcomed its 10,000 th collision center in North America to the growing number of progressive facilities using its advanced waterborne refinish systems. While reaching this high level of acceptance is in itself a milestone, PPG reports that over 50 percent of its waterborne customers are doing business in National Rule areas, a strong indication that these operations switched for reasons other than VOC compliance. RIDE FOR A CAUSE PPG teamed with O's Custom Paint of Memphis, Tenn., to create the military-themed paint finish for Citizen Soldier VII, a custom Harley-Davidson Street Glide that will be raffled off to benefit children's charities at the annual Better Life Foundation's 3 Doors Down event, November 15 at Horseshoe Casino, Tunica, Miss. Paying tribute to our soldiers and named after the number-one hit single by 3 Doors Down, the eye-catching ride is one of a series of Citizen Soldier motorcycles that have been raffled for charity fundraising over the past seven years. The annual 3 Doors Down fundraiser also includes a Ride for a Cause bike rally, sponsored by Dixie Thunder Run, an organization dedicated to helping wounded soldiers and their families. The group also sponsors other charity bike runs during the year with accompanying motorcycle raffles. INSIDE LINE 4 The fact that more than 10,000 collision centers across North America are now using PPG'S waterborne refinish systems is strong validation that this environmentally preferred technology has moved into the mainstream as a preferred choice for refinish repairs everywhere and anywhere. Another fact—the majority of these shops do business in National Rule regions and voluntarily made the switch to waterborne. There's no doubt that this technology has lost its moniker as strictly a compliant solution to meet regulatory demands. One major driver for this ever-increasing acceptance of waterborne technology is its superior color matching performance—and PPG's commitment to continuously improve our anti-settle, true latex toner system. Since 2007 alone we have introduced 29 toners to the waterborne line, many of them specialty toners designed to keep pace with the more exotic, highly chromatic colors being introduced by the automakers. In total, the color platform now comprises 91 toners—more than any of our competition. The continuing evolution of our waterborne systems goes beyond color. When first introduced, PPG waterborne brand offerings were basecoat only, with compatible unders and overs provided from PPG premium solvent lines. Since then PPG has placed considerable investment in improving the overall performance of the paint film—from undercoat to clear. The fruits of this investment are now paying off with a complete line of brand-specific primers, sealers and clears specifically engineered to work seamlessly with our waterborne technology. This total-engineered solution also includes the first in a series of performance clears exclusively developed for use over waterborne basecoat. Demo the new EC530 En-V ™ Performance Clearcoat and you'll find it achieves new heights in gloss retention with excellent throughput. The obvious takeaway from these recent enhancements is clear. PPG waterborne refinish systems are more than just a compliance solution. They are rapidly becoming the preferred choice of top-performing collision centers across North America, regardless of environmental regulations. Accordingly, PPG is deeply committed to ensuring that our total engineered solutions continue to set the bar for performance and color matching accuracy—today and well into the future. 4 WATER REACHES NEW HEIGHTS