How new technologies from PPG are proving to save time, reduce waste and enhance colour-matching accuracy.  

Solutions recently launched for the PPG LINQ digital ecosystem are leading collision centres into a new era of refinish paint mixing that can significantly spark gains in key-to-key productivity. The PPG LINQ digital ecosystem is comprised of interconnected hardware, software and innovative services, using a cloud-based platform.

Carl Garcia, owner of Carl’s Collision Center, Fall River, Massachusetts, is a huge fan of PPG LINQ digital tools, particularly since his workforce is primarily younger. “These kids today grew up with computers, with smartphones—it’s a totally different mentality. So we need to adapt to the changing workforce.”

PPG DIGIMATCH spectrophotometer 

This small spectrophotometer takes readings of a vehicle’s colour from six imaging angles as well as six reflective angles to provide colour and texture information—including effect pigment particle size.

The colour reading is seamlessly loaded into PPG retrieval software to find colour formulations providing the best match. The spectrophotometer’s readings work in concert with another PPG innovation to further enhance the ability to determine the best match—PPG VISUALIZID software.  

PPG VisualizID software

The first of its kind in the industry, this advanced software enables technicians to compare 3D renderings of the retrieved colours and compare multiple “virtual sprayouts” in a matter of minutes. A sprayout can be compared from flash, flop or face angles, rotated in any direction and compared from “blend” and “edge” views.  

“In the old days, we would have to do our own sprayouts to test the colours,” explains Garcia. “It would take us a minimum of 15 minutes for each car, sometimes over an hour. So instead of having to do sprayout cards, we are able to do a virtual sprayout.”

Once satisfied with the match, the technician hits a button and sends the formula to another PPG innovation that Garcia’s operation has incorporated into their process—the PPG MOONWALK system.

PPG MoonWalk mixing system

This award-winning, automated paint mixing system is designed for use with the PPG ENVIROBASE High Performance refinish system. “This is a great advantage for us,” says Garcia. “It’s 100% accurate. No waste. And it’s increased our efficiency by at least 15%.”

Echoing praise of automated mixing is Frank McClosky, owner of Frank’s Collision Center, which operates six locations in the Houston, Texas, area. “We’re getting a highly accurate mix and colour matches every time. This system is so precise, down to the hundredths of a gram. And we haven’t over-poured any product yet.”

For more information on the PPG LINQ digital ecosystem and MoonWalk automated mixing system, contact your local PPG distributor or PPG sales representative.