26 June 2024 – Cromax^®, a global refinish coating brand from Axalta, understands how complex repairing matt vehicles can be. In order to ensure its refinishers are as productive as possible and to give bodyshops a competitive edge in the spraybooth, the technical experts at Cromax have put together a handy step-by-step guide for these repairs with the Chroma^® Matt Clear System.

Paul Retief, Training and Technical Specialist for South Africa, says, “Even the most experienced refinisher can find repairing these popular matt finishes challenging, especially as the trend is for flatter finishes with much lower gloss levels. By following our proven step-by-step guide, much of the jeopardy is removed helping to ensure a productive paint repair and ultimately a happy customer. Thanks to CC6020 Chroma Matt System Clear and CC6010 Chroma Semi Matt System Clear, which are inter-mixable, our refinishers have a best-in-class system that offers six matt levels to match the wide range of OEM production finishes, from matt (5GU) and semi matt (65GU).”

Step one

As with all productive repairs, refinishers should first clean the vehicle to enable accurate colour readings with ChromaVision Pro Mini, the most advanced spectro from Cromax. Matt repairs, however, mean that a simple wash won’t suffice. Refinishers must take the readings from an undamaged area that is free of scratches, free from surface contamination and as close to the damage as possible. Clean the chosen area with 3910WB Waterborne Prepclean. Follow this with 3911WB Waterborne Final Clean and wipe with a microfibre cloth.  

Step two

Take the colour readings and retrieve the formula. Retief says, “This is the point at which you determine the matt level for the repair.”

Filter the search in ChromaWeb^TM digital colour management software by matt colours using the “gloss / flat” toggle. With the colour chosen, the matt level or matt level group suggested for the formula can be found in the information text box. Refinishers should then choose the substrate and enter the matt level or matt group in the Ancillary Mix section.

Step three

Retief says, “Refinishers should now mix a small amount of the colour formula and create spray out cards. They should make them on a larger panel and not on the end of a mixing stick so that the application method is the same as they will use when they repair the vehicle.”

At this step in the process, there are many variables that can change the final gloss levels, including the age of the vehicle, how it has been maintained, previous repairs, natural weathering and even original manufacturing variations on the same car. Refinishers should therefore create spray out cards of the default mixture as well as samples either side of that.

Retief says, “For best practice, label everything correctly and store the cards in case the bodyshops has to repair the same colour but perhaps not the same gloss level in the future.”

Step four

With the spray out cards complete, compare them to the vehicle in the same areas as the colour readings were taken, ideally in good daylight conditions. Decide which formula and gloss level to use. 

Step five

Prepare and mask the vehicle, as usual.

Step six

The correct undercoat must be applied first. ValueShade^®, the patented undercoat technology from Axalta, provides the optimal undercoat for every topcoat colour. Different shades of grey are matched to different topcoat colours, making a perfect combination that requires less paint. Our colour retrieval tools specify the right ValueShade for every topcoat. Lower paint consumption and less work time mean higher productivity and profitability.

The basecoat, either Cromax, Cromax Pro, or Centari^® 6000, comes next. Refinishers should refer to the Chroma Matt Clear System Technical Data Sheet as there may be differences in the basecoat process. For Cromax Pro System, refinishers must not leave any area of the repair uncoated or gloss differences will be visible.

Step seven

Then it is time for the clearcoat. Simply repeat the mixture of the two clears from the chosen spray out card, stirring the material thoroughly. ChromaWeb is available as a reference if required.

Step eight

Apply the matt clear using a two-coat application with an intermediate flash off.

Retief says, “The first coat should be applied evenly, followed by 15 minutes of flash off. The second coat is a full coat with staggered overlaps to prevent high film build, the best practice application technique. The final flash off is 15 minutes. There is a danger here of patches being created as both coats are not applied wet and full. The Chroma Matt Clear System should not be applied in a light or mist coat followed by a full coat.”

Step nine

When reassembling the car, some slight marking or marring of the fresh clear may occur. These can be removed with glass cleaner and a clean microfibre cloth.

Retief concludes, “The Chroma Matt Clear System addresses a niche that the market has been missing. Despite these repairs being challenging, our step-by-step guidance and video are there to make our refinishers jobs easier and more productive, day in, day out.”

To find out more about repairing matt finishes, watch the dedicated Let’s get to work training video here and for more information about the brand, please visit www.cromax.co.za