Cromax®, one of the three global refinish brands from Axalta Coatings Systems, has unveiled its 2015 training offer, which is designed to cover all aspects of refinishing and all levels of competence, from the complete beginner, who can join Axalta’s new apprenticeship programme, to the experienced refinisher, who can take an ATA assessment.

Anthony Cashel, Marketing Manager for Axalta Coating Systems says, “Cromax® is delighted to be able to offer such a comprehensive range of training options for 2015. As well as hands-on, practical training, we have also just launched our new online e-learning programme, e-CTC. This enables intermediate level refinishers to study and to assess their knowledge without having to leave the bodyshop. Once they have successfully completed the eight online modules, they can come to the Cromax® Training Academy at Welwyn Garden City for a practical assessment.”

The Cromax® Training Academy is also the venue for the brand’s five traditional, face-to-face training courses, which for 2015 consist of two colour training, one product training and two application technique courses. These are:

- Colour Matching is a practical, hands-on, two-day course that shows refinishers how to match, to formulate, to mix and to apply solid, metallic and pearlescent colours. It includes use of advanced colour-matching tools, such as ChromaVision®, ChromaVision® Pro, Fan Deck and test panels. It also covers the use of ColorNet® Pro software. 

- ChromaManager Training is a one-day course which covers the use of the full range of Cromax® colour tools. The morning is a theory session in which participants are shown, among other things, how to get the most of the ColorNet® Pro system, how to calibrate and to care for the ChromaVision® and ChromaVision® Pro spectrophotometers, and how to use the flake selector tool. The afternoon is a practical session using these tools.

- Advanced Cromax® Basecoat Training is a two-day QAA accredited course on the use of waterborne Cromax® Basecoat, from colour mixing to application and blending techniques. It includes how to identify and to prepare both metal and plastic substrates. It also features a wealth of practical tips and prepares painters to cope with even the most difficult colours and finishes.

- Three-Stage/Tri-Coat Training is a specialist two-day refinish course which provides participants with comprehensive skills for the preparation and application of Cromax® three-stage finishes. The course covers best practice methodology, which is designed to achieve efficient, right-first-time results in these increasingly popular, but complex, OEM finishes.

- Fast Repair Training is a one-day course that covers the increasingly popular SMART repair techniques. Fast Repair approach and methodology is different to normal refinishing and participants are shown how to achieve successful Fast Repair results with everyday products they have in stock. The course also provides guidance on marketing this added-value service, which can help bodyshops appeal to customers with competitively priced small repairs. All Fast Repair members receive 250 personalised leaflets, five posters, an advert template, outdoor sign and flag to promote their service offering.

More information is available on all the Cromax® training courses for 2015, including e-CTC on the website, www.cromax.com/gb and on the web shop, www.cromastore.co.uk, where places can also be booked.