If we were to tell you that it’s possible to increase color match and paint finish quality and easily spray hard-to-reach areas like fender well openings and rocker panels simply by switching your paint cup, would you be interested in learning more? Of course you would!
Well, after two years of exclusive use in one of the largest MSOs in the country, SEM Products is excited to make the VCS Versatile Cup System available to everyone in the automotive refinish industry. Excitement and anticipation in the industry is over the top.
Now let’s be clear, VCS is NOT just another cup system. VCS is a new hybrid paint cup system that combines a hard cup with a vented, collapsible liner. This hard cup and vented liner combination, a first in the automotive refinish industry, eliminates paint flow restrictions associated with popular hard cup paint systems and traditional liner systems.
“So, we’ve listened to technicians in the shops and have come out with a cup that addresses paint flow restrictions that starve the spray gun. Additionally, it offers the ability to spray upside down, on the fly,” says Larry Trexler, marketing manager, technical services & training for SEM.
“Hard cups always have to be vented to avoid paint flow restrictions. The problem is, if you get down on the bottom of a rocker panel and you need to turn that gun sideways or even upside down, that vented cup is going to drip.”
There are also problems with liner systems, Trexler says.
“The liner is so soft and flexible, it collapses down as you spray. Eventually, a vacuum pocket forms in the liner and the restriction stops the paint from flowing into the gun. Now the gun is forced to suck the paint out of the cup. If you’re spraying pearls or heavy metallics found on newer model cars, you’ll be facing color match issues.”
The VCS vented liner solves these problems. When the vent is open, it allows unrestricted paint flow, a consistent finish and better color match. When the vent is closed, it gives you more versatility in the paint booth, especially when spraying hard-to-reach areas at extreme angles — even upside down.
“With the VCS cup, you can spray vented and unvented, on the fly, depending on where you are on the car,” says Trexler.
Another bonus of the VCS Cup System is that, since it’s a disposable liner system, there is very little cleanup at the end of the day. Plus, if you don’t use all the material in the cup, you can put a cap on the lid and store it for later use.
Trexler explains: “If you’ve got a color, for instance, black, that you’re going to be using to do trim-outs throughout the day, you can put a VCS cap on the lid, turn the cup upside down and store it on the counter. That easy little trick allows the filter in the cup to stay wet. You can pick up that cup later, give it a shake to mix the paint and you’re ready to go.”
So, for shops looking for ways to increase productivity, consistency and color match while reducing steps and cleaning solvents, switching to SEM’s VCS Cup System is an easy decision.
The VCS Versatile Cup system is available in 13-, 22- and 32-ounce cup sizes, and stainless steel adapters are available for most professional spray guns. VCS hard cups are available with printed mix ratios or blank, and lids feature a built-in 125-micron filter. VCS starter kits include the three cup sizes, liners, lids and caps — all in one box.
For more information about the VCS Versatile Cup System visit semproducts.com/vcs or speak with your local SEM rep.
