HOT PICKS SELECTED BY OUR EDITOR, A SEMA SHOW JUDGE
One of the most captivating parts of the annual SEMA Show is witnessing all the spectacular new products being unveiled to our industry. This year, Collision Repair magazine editor, Allison Rogers was selected as one of the expert journalists behind the Global Media Awards program at SEMA. A panel of 20+ esteemed automotive journalists from across the globe were tasked with selecting the products they believe will have the most impact on their home markets. Check out Allison’s choices—and honourable mentions—here.
KECO GLUE PULL REPAIR+ SYSTEM
BY KECO BODY REPAIR
KECO’s GPR+ System adds to your L2E Glue Pull Repair Collision System to create an all-around repair system that can correct just about any damage, according to KECO. With the added tools in the GPR+ System, technicians will be able to glue pull and push to paint with ease. This system is intended to complement glue pull repair and allow technicians to make the most efficient repairs possible.
AR – Experts in glue-pull repair (GPR) maintain a clear opinion that glue and cold-pull repairs are the future of our industry. Remember that US $41,000 Rivian claim from a few months back? The vehicle was said to require an entire bedside replacement. That job was fixed in two days by a dent repair expert using KECO glue products and techniques. While experts are humming and hawing over whether the results are up to spec, what is not up for debate is the fact that this Rivian looks about 99 percent better.
COPILOT MANAGEMENT SUITE:
REMOTE, MOBILE AND CALIBRATION
BY OPUS IVS
This management system offers remote, mobile, and calibration centre services ordering directly from the DriveSafe diagnostic tool. Remote services access OE software through Expert Mode. The program also enables mobile van dispatching with schedule and routing; calibration centre scheduling and integrates ADAS MAP information and scan results.
AR – The CoPilot Management Suite takes OPUS IVS’s remote and mobile diagnostic and calibration solutions into one fold, streamlining the operations of remote providers, automotive service providers and ADAS calibration centres. As the popularity of ADAS calibration centres continues to rise across the Canadian industry, the CoPilot Management Suite offers any third-party calibration centre or otherwise a wealth of customizable tools, along with extensive integration for scheduling, dispatching, communications, invoicing and more.
ASTECH RULES ENGINE
BY REPAIRIFY
The patented and proprietary asTech Rules Engine provides shops with the ability to select an aftermarket diagnostic scan that will read all of a vehicle’s OEM modules correctly, equivalent to that of an authentic OEM tool. With the Rules Engine enabled, asTech customers can be confident with the accuracy and cost of the recommended scan type.
AR – asTech, a Repairify company, has been using its Rules Engine platform to reveal a plethora of data in the collision repair industry. Recently, the asTech engineers behind Rules Engine conducted thousands of tests scanning vehicles in the North American car parc using aftermarket OEM scan tools. In several cases, aftermarket scan tools failed to throw critical codes that only OEM-branded scan tools picked up. In one instance, an aftermarket scan tool missed a procedure calling for an entire airbag module replacement—a critical, life-saving operation, in some cases. With Rules Engine at a technician’s side, any shortcomings involved with using an aftermarket scan tool are noted by the program. So, in the event an aftermarket scan tool is used and a DTC is missed, Rules Engine will notify you that something is missing. It has your back—and your business’s best interest in mind.
GLASURIT 100LINE EXTREME
BY BASF
Glasurit’s 100 Line Extreme basecoat/clearcoat finishing is a wet-on-wet process with clear. The 100Line Extreme line has exceptionally good hiding power and high efficiency, says BASF, and is designed to help painters achieve perfect results—even in extreme temperatures and low humidity with waterborne basecoats.
AR – Did you know that BASF tested the Glasurit 100 Line in Canada? We were one of the first markets to receive the product— thanks to our extreme climate. Well, they’ve made 100 Line even more Extreme with this new iteration. BASF says the Glasurit 100Line Extreme is designed specifically for extreme temperatures in low humidity. Alberta—we’re looking to you.
TOLECUTTER
BY EAGLE ABRASIVES
Eagle Abrasives says its new Tolecutter can revolutionize your touch-up sanding process and reduce finishing time by 50 percent or more. Lightweight and easy to use, Tolecutter is a pneumatic sander for removing dust nibs, runs, and other imperfections from clearcoat. Only the corner of Tolecut sheets contacts the surface, resulting in precise sanding and a small repair area for faster polishing.
AR – A mosquito lands in your freshly done clearcoat. A stray speck of dust meanders its way onto a prime coat of paint. We’ve all been there. Thanks to the handy Tolecutter from Eagle Abrasives, denibbing and removing imperfections can be ultra-precise. The handy Tolecutter head is designed to touch as little surface area as possible, making it easier to nab those ultra-tiny spots and make sure your finish is crystal clear for the customer.
3M SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTER INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING SERIES
BY 3M AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET
To address the industry labour shortage and repair complexity issues, 3M built a state-of-the-art technician training facility. Instructors focus on hands-on, process-based education, which upskills techs, earns I-CAR Industry Training Alliance credit and helps deliver quality repairs while maximizing productivity and profitability.
AR – Collision Repair recently had the opportunity to visit the 3M Skills Development Center in St. Paul, Minnesota—which absolutely offers training applicable to Canadian technicians and industry members. The facility is set to accommodate more than 100 in-person, instructor-led training courses annually, equipping 1,000+ technicians with critical skills in body repair, paint prep and refinishing every year. The facility prioritizes hands-on learning and 70 percent of the grounds are dedicated to hands-on lessons with tools and equipment. Further, the 3M Skills Development Center houses one of the largest available paint booths on the market—a 35-foot GFS XL paint booth with three-stage filtration—which can accommodate 16 painters at a time, says 3M.
GOLIATH TEST WELD STAND
BY GOLIATH CARTS
The Goliath Carts Test Weld Stand is purpose-designed to hold test coupons used for Destructive Weld Testing on OEM vehicles. Designed to support all weld positions and types, the stand is made from aluminum and can hold the weld gun tip, welding pliers, metal thickness gauge, a wet-dry bucket and whiteboard.
AR – If you tuned in to our October webinar, WHAT THE WELD?! with Spanesi lead trainer Jeramy Holloway, you’d know how important test welds are. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been told your welder is 1000 percent automatic— you always need a test weld. The alternative is…not great. This Goliath Carts Test Weld Stand was created after the company collaborated with a focus group of about 10 shops from a Mike Anderson focus group. The stand can be bolted down—a mobile version can be moved from car to car—and holds both a wet and dry box for hot coupons post-weld. It also has a whiteboard for info storage, a cubby for the weld gun tip and an articulating coupon holder.
TRU-CURE PORTABLE INFRARED UNIT
BY DEVILBISS
The new Trisk | DeVilbiss Tru-Cure Infrared Unit is a battery-powered, easyto- direct curing solution for automotive refinishing, designed to provide an even cure for most automotive refinishing materials. Since the unit is portable, the low-cost system requires no installation allowing quick start-up. Four models are available to suit any application.
AR – We get it—some shops are tight for space right now. That’s where portable UV drying units are king. This unit comes in four sizes: a 2-lamp or 3-lamp small footprint, or a 2-lamp/3- lamp large footprint, depending on your shop’s needs. Further, this unit employs what DeVilBiss calls a “unique dimpled sheet reflector” that is said to generate an even curing intensity and ensure the fastest possible curing time.
SATAJET X 5500 UNIVERSE
BY SATA
The SATAjet X 5500 universe’s striking QR design is not just decorative. A proud owner of this special edition can access the SATA universe using one of the codes. An online world full of exclusive content, contests and benefits. Buy the SATAjet X 5500 universe at your participating dealer. Scan code. Register. Become part of something big—according to SATA execs themselves, now is the time to reap the grandest of benefits from the universe program.
AR – If you haven’t taken advantage of SATA’s new Universe rewards platform, you’re seriously missing out. According to interim GM of SATA Canada Joern Stoever, now is the perfect time to get your hands on a SATAjet x 5500 universe and reap all the benefits the Universe virtual platform has to offer. Stoever suggests people get registered before the platform fills up and their chances of winning exciting products decrease. There are giveaways, free products and more—you could even win a trip to next year’s SEMA, just by signing up. Plus, you get a new SATAjet x 5500…what are you waiting for?!
SATA QUICK MATERIAL REGULATOR (QMR)
BY SATA
The new Trisk | DeVilbiss Tru-Cure Infrared Unit is a battery-powered, easyto- direct curing solution for automotive refinishing, designed to provide an even cure for most automotive refinishing materials. Since the unit is portable, the low-cost system requires no installation allowing quick start-up. Four models are available to suit any application.
AR – Everybody wants to be lean nowadays—it’s another way to save money. Save a little paint here; avoid overmixing there…it’s a good strategy. SATA has made it easier for painters, now, with its new Quality Material Regulator (QMR) attachment. Refinishers can preset a reduced material discharge quantity that can be called up at the literal push of a button. You’re not stuck to those parameters, though—the QMR can be switched back to full material flow with a simple click.
BOOTH CONNECT
BY GLOBAL FINISHING SOLUTIONS
Booth Connect from Global Finishing Solutions (GFS) provides remote access and monitoring for paint booths from the convenience of a computer, tablet or smartphone. With on-demand insight into booth cycles, filter loading and power usage trends, you have the knowledge you need to keep your paint booth(s) running at peak performance.
E-SERIES PRO X
BY INDASA
INDASA’s new PRO X range of electrical power tools is made for professionals, by experts. Complete with the PRO XSander, which comes in 150mm diameter and both 3mm orbit and 5mm orbit; the PRO XPolisher, which comes in 125mm diameter and 15mm random orbit; and the portable SMART REPAIR KIT with a lightweight 12-volt battery, the PRO X line is designed to comply with state-of-the-art vehicle technology and construction.
GUNI X SERIES
BY GUNIWHEEL LLC
The GUNI X Series is a new iteration of Guniwheels’ free-rolling universal wheel, which can be fixed to a radial wheel in 20 seconds. No tools are required and the tool has interchangeable hubs section—4,5,6 and 8—and ATV/UTV PCD bolt pattern. It can be used on locked-up brakes, gears, hubs, axles and wheels. Guniwheel says its GUNI X Series is perfect for EV vehicles, hybrid vehicles and locked-up electric gears. It comes with a lifetime warranty.
AUTO SCRIBBLER
BY KENT AUTOMOTIVE
These water-based paint markers by Kent Automotive are designed for today’s modern cars and automotive finishes. Kent says they are guaranteed not to harm when used on rubber, alloys, headlight lenses, plastic bumpers, metal panels and glass, and are even weather resistant to snow and rain. They use non-toxic, water-based ink, and are formulated and designed specifically for automotive use. Available in seven colours.
ULTIMATE ADAS
BY HUNTER ENGINEERING
Ultimate ADAS is said to eliminate error-prone manual layouts common to static ADAS calibrations, combining Hunter Engineering’s alignment technology with an efficient guided target placement system for complete coverage. Gimbalmounted lasers replace the guesswork of plumb bobs and tape measures to cut setup time by 70 percent in some cases.
CHROME DELETE
BY BODY LINER
Effortlessly remove chrome plating from plastic parts, such as grilles, mirrors, door handles, badges, and more, without damaging the plastic underneath. Chrome Delete also creates a perfect ready-for-paint surface, according to Alberta-based Body Liner.
