Toronto, Ontario — As the festive season continues to drape over the industry, it can be distressing to see those holiday sales begin to slip away as the new year arrives. To quell the disappointment that you may have not taken advantage of the savviest equipment procuring time of the year, here are not only some last-minute stocking stuffers but also the standout products of the year.
ABRASIVES: Finixa – SharpWhite
Featured this year at the SEMA Show, this new premium abrasive disc system from Finixa offers a high initial cutting power while promising a longer disc life. SharpWhite discs are made of self-sharpening ceramic aluminum oxide grains that come with a white, anti-clogging coating to help keep each disc from loading up during the sanding process. According to Finixa, SharpWhite discs sand up to 20 percent faster than the average sanding disc—saving shops on labour costs.
ADHESIVES: 3M – Bondo Professional Gold Body Filler
Ah, Bondo—the iconic body filler. While famous for its easy application, sandability and smoothness, today’s Professional Gold Body Filler formulation, designed by 3M for use by industry professionals, fully cures in 21 minutes. Made using polyester resin, this body filler adheres securely to galvanized and e-coated surfaces, fibreglass, wood and steel.
ALIGNMENT & MEASURING: Arslan Automotive – Accuvision 3D
Arslan Automotive’s AccuVision-3D Measuring System has a dual-use of estimating and repairing. This easy-to-use measuring system allows the user to simply point and measure the upper and lower body in one report. The tool features a new generation UV camera and pointer LEDs. It can also measure in any light condition irrespective of brightness or darkness of the environment—indoors, outdoors, no levelling needed, no calibrations, no lasers, no arms, no extensions, no magnets, no adaptors, no Wi-Fi, no Bluetooth and no moving parts. The user can place the car on a lift bench or floor unevenly and the software will have no problem completing the job in good time. The AccuVision-3D Measuring system only works with Mitchell data.
GLASS REPAIR: Equalizer – Terminator Windshield Repair System
The Terminator Windshield Repair System features an automatic pressure/ vacuum process for windshield repair. First, the operator will select a program on the unit and the Terminator machine will alternate pressure/ vacuum cycles based on the selection chosen. This repair system kit also comes with a UV curing light as well as a UV curable resin among a slew of small tools.
HEALTH & SAFETY: Antra Warehouse – AH5-350-001X Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet
The Solar Power Auto Darkening Welding Helmet (also known as the Antra AH5-350-001x) is a carbon fibre welding helmet with built-in solar panels that allow the automatically darkening visor to work even when the lights go out. The helmet has four sensors designed to increase its coverage area, with a wide field-of-view that can be easily adjusted.
PAINT: PPG – Envirobase
PPG’s Envirobase High Performance System is a premium waterborne paint system that uses true latex and micro gel technology to create tighter and easier blends. This waterborne basecoat system has up-to-date translucent pigments for matching advanced vehicle finishes, without any added binders or additives needed. The Envirobase also has high-quality metallic control and minimal flash time between coats. Designed with ease of use in mind, the system’s ‘Shake ‘n Pour’ toners do not require mechanical mixing, and the opacity of finely dispersed pigments allow hiding in thinner films.
PAINT HARDWARE: SATA – SATAJet X 5500 Hippie
SATA has come forward in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival, celebrating the era’s cultural impact with the SATAjet X 5500 Hippie spray gun. Spray with love, peace and pizzazz with this uniquely coated—but special edition—spray gun, available in non-digital and digital versions, as well as in HVLP and RP technology.
PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR: Betag Innovation – Flatliner Panel Repair System
The BETAG Innovation Flatliner System is an OEM-approved steel panel repair system. Recommended by BMW, Rolls Royce and MINI, the Flatliner System enables techs to work quickly and accurately on any repair. According to BETAG Innovation, utilization rates and return on investment from the Flatliner system “are compelling.” Available for purchase from local authorized resellers in each Canadian province, the BETAG Flatliner System is easily accessible. BETAG Innovation also holds regular panel repair training courses, across Canada, for technicians of all experience levels.
REFINISHING: BASF – iGloss
BASF’s iGloss technology uses new clearcoat chemistry that combines the flexible, elastic finish and strong weathering resistance of inorganic components with the high scratch resistance of inorganic glass-like nanoclusters. BASF says it offers a higher gloss and improved scratch resistance on vehicles over its past formulations. It also claims the clearcoat provides a superior, longer-lasting finish.
SCANNING: Autel – MaxiSYS ADAS Calibration
The MA600 from Autel is a portable ADAS calibration solution, offering precise, millimetre-level accuracy while still being flexible and easy for storage. It provides LDW calibration for camera-based systems. Within two minutes, a single technician can perform accurate frame placement according to Autel. This unit is compatible with Autel’s MS906BT, MS906TS, MS908, MS908P, MS908S, MS908SP, MSELITE and MSADAS tablets. The MA600’s modular frame allows for a multitude of accessory tools for further calibration functionality.
SOFTWARE: Color Compass – Kube
With the Color Compass KUBE system, automatic purchase orders are placed based on consumption and min/max inventory quantities. KUBE auto-replenishment is said to reduce stock-outs and ensure that orders are always placed on time. KUBE customizes the specifics at each stage of the consumption and re-order process, by analyzing inventory, determining appropriate min/max levels, and calculating delivery frequency to ensure facilities always have the right products to stay productive. With KUBE ColorPASS, the system fully interfaces with colour software and mixing scales in the paint mixing room. The ColorPASS system automatically tracks liquid inventory to the gram, and place orders as technicians are mixing liquids over the scale.
TOOLS & ACCESSORIES: LKQ – Guni Wheel
The Guniwheel Universal Tire and Wheel Mounting System is the first, universal, vehicle and trailer mounting system that is described as working like a spare tire. Weighing just 30 pounds and able to fit into most four- and five-hole lug patterns, the Guniwheel can be easily transported and used anywhere. This product was designed to make moving vehicles off of lifts faster and safer. According to LKQ, the tire replacement can hold loads of up to 1290 pounds and can be safely driven up to 8 kilometres-per-hour (5 m/ph).
WELDING: Pro Spot – SP5DP welder
Pro Spot’s most popular pulse mig welder, the SP 5, now comes with “Double Pulse Technology” streamlining the process of aluminum welding. All new ‘state of the arc’ welding software is specifically designed for the latest automotive aluminum alloys, from thin to thick. The three-in-one pulse mig welder is said to easily weld steel, silicon bronze and aluminum with three separate torches and drive systems. Just pick up the mig gun you need, and start welding.
