Automotive Refinish is a process used to restore a vehicle’s appearance, improve its performance and increase its resale value. When you are a car owner you know the importance of keeping your vehicle looking and feeling its best. After all, you spend a lot of time in your vehicle and the inside and outside of it get dirty over time from road grime, bugs, rain and other elements. Having your vehicle reconditioned will help to keep it clean and fresh for you to enjoy while also helping to preserve the value of your vehicle for resale purposes. Refinishing is a multi-step procedure that involves cleaning and polishing the car’s exterior and interior.
“Car refinish products are designed to deliver excellent results while minimizing material waste. For this kind of market, efficiency is crucial for businesses, and therefore, solutions are formulated to provide maximum coverage and optimal usage,” says Marc Drews, Sales Manager at 4CR.
Africa Automotive May-June digital issue 2023
Initially, an automobile is cleaned and inspected to determine its condition. Auto detailing and reconditioning technicians may then apply a new coat of paint if it needs one. They also remove scratches, dents, and other minor damage. They may also perform other regular reconditioning procedures to ensure that the vehicle is ready for sale. Refinishing can be performed on both new and used vehicles. It can be done on vehicles that are stored at a dealership lot.
“I can confidently say that, car refinish products offer exceptional cost-effectiveness for car and luxury vehicle refinishing processes. The comprehensive product range covers every step of the car refinish process, ensuring that customers have access to high-quality and efficient solutions,” Marc highlights.
The automotive refinish market is expected to experience a strong growth in the future. This is mainly due to the increase in demand for vehicles globally and stricter automobile regulations.
On the basis of Type, the automotive refinish market is segmented into Solvent Borne, Water Borne and Others. The solvent borne coatings are typically based on polyurethane, alkyd or acrylic liquid resins. When they are dried, they provide a glossy finish to the surface. These coatings are durable and can resist dirt and corrosion. They can be applied in a variety of methods, including brushing, spraying, and roll coating. Moreover, this type of coating can be customized to match a customer’s desired color. This can make the refinishing process more efficient, thus reducing labor costs.
Waterborne (or latex) paints are more sustainable and environmentally friendly paint and better for the health of professionals. They are composed of synthetic resins and pigments that are kept dispersed in water by surfactants. This type of refinish coating has a lower concentration of volatile organic compounds, which reduces the emission of gases and vapours into the environment. They also contain small amounts of coalescing solvents and dry by evaporation of the water. Refinishing is a cost-effective solution for repairing the paint of automobiles, especially on older models. It also increases the resale value of these vehicles and helps to avoid costly repairs.
“Customers can achieve outstanding finishes while reducing overall material costs,” says Marc. “This is because the products are developed with durability in mind and by using advanced technologies and high-quality ingredients, to ensure that the refinished vehicles maintain their appearance for an extended period. This reduces the need for frequent touch-ups or reworks, saving both time and money for car owners and businesses,” he adds.
Rejuvenation Detail
The rejuvenation detail is a 2 step polish that will remove any defects and medium scratches from the exterior paint. This process will enhance the gloss of the paint and will also deeply enhance the depth and sheen of the surface. This package is for vehicles that have not been detailed in a year or more and is designed to deep clean & recondition a slightly neglected vehicle back to like new condition. This service is available for all vehicle types & colors.
According to Marc, car refinish products should be carefully engineered to streamline the refinishing process. These solutions must be user-friendly, allowing technicians to work more efficiently and complete projects within a shorter time. This, increases productivity that translates into cost savings for businesses, as they can serve more customers and maximize their resources.
Furthermore, research and development should be prioritize to continually improve on the market products and stay at the forefront of the industry, says marc.
“By investing in innovation, experts can offer cutting-edge solutions that provide superior cost-effectiveness to businesses in the African car market and achieve excellent refinishing outcomes while optimizing their costs and providing exceptional value to their customers,” concludes Marc.