Axalta Coating Systems, the company behind the Cromax, Spies Hecker and Standox paint brands, has shown an influential gathering of paint experts and vehicle manufacturers the future of the production line paint process at a conference in Germany.

Presented the opening address at the 24th annual DFO European Automotive Coating conference, held recently in Braunschweig, Sven Radek, Application Technology Manager for Axalta Coating Systems in its Europe, Middle East and Africa, described Axalta’s selection of Harmonized Coating Technologies. It is a line of coating application processes integrating primers, basecoats and clear coats that can cut processing costs, save on material, and reduce the environmental footprint for car original equipment manufacturers.

Titled Less is More, Radek’s presentation drew attention to the benefits of Axalta’s 3-Wet, 2-Wet and Eco-Concept Harmonized Coating Technologies. This can remove oven bake steps or combine layers. The conventional process, used for waterborne paints, requires the application of four paint layers, as well as the use of three curing ovens and one intermediate dryer.

Axalta’s say its Harmonized Coating Technologies making it possible to achieve outstanding results with just two ovens, and without either primer applications or sanding. This helps to save car manufacturers time, energy, labour, space and material. By 2018, 20% of all new cars are likely to be painted with consolidated processes.

After the standard electrocoat application and oven curing, the 3-Wet process applies an exterior 1K or 2K pre-coat. This gives the final paint surface greater stone chip resistance, high UV protection and produces an outstanding finish. The solid colour precoats can be matched to different basecoat colour groups to create a uniform colour for further application steps. Under the 3-Wet process, there is no need for a primer as the precoat takes over the primer’s job.