How many media reps does it take to spray a panel? Isn’t that how the joke goes? The answer in BodyShop Business’s case was three: a publisher, an editor and a salesperson.

Thanks to PPG, BSB Publisher Scott Shriber, sales representative Doug Basford and I got to explore our artistic sides and act like kids with Crayolas — only we had panels instead of coloring books — at the company’s product development lab in Westlake, Ohio, on Dec. 14. Whose panel came out the best is probably best left to discriminating critics who have an eye for fine art. Anyone seeing my handiwork might think they stumbled upon a long-lost Jackson Pollack.

Of course, we just had to try PPG’s waterborne/low-VOC product, Envirobase High Performance basecoat. We carefully followed the formula for charcoal gray and mixed it like mad scientists gone wild. Then, we loaded it into a spray gun, donned our paint suits and respirators and made off to the booth, feeling somewhat like astronauts heading off to the moon: “That’s one small step for BodyShop Business; one giant leap for the collision repair industry.” Without helpful advice on application techniques from John Snyder, refinish application specialist, we might have been sucked into a black hole.

We also had an opportunity to spray PPG’s latest innovation in waterborne technology – its new waterborne clearcoat. PPG is the first major paint manufacturer to globally launch a waterborne clearcoat. The clear looked phenomenal on
our panels.

But it wasn’t all fun and games. We got some serious classroom time in as well, with Gareth Hughes, director for global platform marketing/USCA technical, Doug Beuke, collision segment manager North America, and Snyder schooling us on a variety of topics. We learned about some of PPG’s goals with waterborne, one of which is converting all customers under the Ozone Transport Commission by January 2012. PPG has already converted a large percentage of its customers to waterborne technology, with the company billing it as “better for the environment technology/ better for YOU technology.”

Outside of California, the most converted states include Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan and Ohio.

Based on third-party study results, PPG states it has about 34 percent of the total automotive refinish market and 50 percent of the waterborne market. The Envirobase High Performance product features microgel anti-settle technology and offers more coverage and increased opacity, which makes it easier for the water to escape when drying.

BSB Editor Jason Stahl shows off his mixing skills.

BSB sales rep Doug Basford concocts charcoal gray.

BSB Publisher Scott Shriber suits up for duty.

Stahl gives a "thumbs up" from the booth.

PPG’s eye-catching test booth.