9 November 2022 – With the energy crisis showing no sign of slowing down, it’s important for every bodyshop to reduce operating costs and to increase throughput. The Speed-TEC system from Spies Hecker, a global refinish coating brand from Axalta, is a solution that many bodyshops across the UK are turning to as it allows them to work exceptionally quickly and with superb energy efficiency.

Kevin Welling, Training Academy Manager for Axalta in the UK and Ireland, says, “The Spies Hecker Speed-TEC system uses patented Axalta technology that draws on temperature and ambient humidity to accelerate the drying process. The system as a whole ensures energy consumption is reduced significantly, work processes are shortened and results, of course, are exceptional, as you would expect from Spies Hecker.”

Using the full system enables refinishers to choose drying at 60°C, 40°C or even without forced drying at 20°C. It is proven to lower the energy costs of running a direct gas-fired combi spray booth by approximately 75 per cent based on a typical 30 minute, 60ºC bake cycle.

The Speed-TEC system comprises: Permasolid^® Speed-TEC Wet-on-Wet Surfacer 5550, the Permasolid Speed-TEC Surfacer 5500, Permasolid Speed-TEC Clear Coat 8800 and Permasolid Speed-TEC Clear Coat 8810. These are all used with Permahyd Basecoat 280/285 or Permahyd Hi-TEC Basecoat 480.  

“The Speed-TEC system is adaptable to bodyshops’ needs and ensures excellent results. Depending on workloads, refinishers have control over whether they use the Speed-TEC system for its speed or its impressive energy savings during the paint repair. The system’s flexibility is ideal for bodyshops with high throughput where fast turnarounds are required. And during quieter times, the system can adapt and work more economically, in particular utilising low drying temperatures,” Welling concludes.  

More information about the Spies Hecker Speed-TEC system can be found at www.spieshecker.co.uk/speedtec.