A new generation waterborne basecoat for vehicle repair which can significantly improve body shop productivity and performance has been developed by AkzoNobel.
Autowave Optima. (Source: AkzoNobel)

Requiring just a single visit to the spray booth, Sikkens Autowave Optima helps achieve up to 50% faster process times compared with conventional basecoat application methods. It means energy costs and carbon emissions can both be reduced by up to 60%*.
The product¡¯s high pigmentation also delivers perfect coverage by applying just 1.5 layers of paint, resulting in material savings of around 15% on average.
¡°The development of this one-stop application basecoat is a step-change for the car refin-ishes industry,¡± said Patrick Bourguignon, director of AkzoNobel¡¯s Automotive and Special-ty Coatings business. ¡°It addresses many key challenges, including the need for body shops to be even more sustainable and efficient, as well as mindful of an ongoing skills shortage.¡±
Autowave Optima is easy to apply and blend and can be used for any type of repair in any climate. In combination with AkzoNobel¡¯s portfolio of fast-drying premium fillers and clear-coats, the new basecoat can further increase system performance while meeting the high-est OEM quality standards.
¡°The launch of this new generation product demonstrates how focused we are on under-standing the needs of our customers and supplying the best solutions ¨C both now and in the future ¨C to support body shop productivity and performance,¡± added Bourguignon.