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Ron Cater • Although in recent years considerable attention has been paid to saving time in vehicle workshops, in the field of repainting there is still a need for new thinking in most organizations dealing solely with commercial vehicles. However, a move in the right direction is that of the Essex-based company of Berger J. and N. Paints which has announced that the mixing-by-weight system of colour matching will no longer be restricted to Berger stockists but be provided for customers.
The system permits some 3000 different standard colours to be mixed accurately from 24 basic colours in a matter of minutes. Not only does it save staff from taking time over the costly business of trying to match colours by eye, but it also ensures that whatever colour the shop requires can be produced on the spot. Consequently, no time is wasted awaiting delivery of a colour not held in stock.
Another advantage is that less paint stocks need be held—a saving both in capital and space.
The crux of the system is a pair of scales—reputed to weigh to an accuracy of 1./10,000 part of a gramme—and the supply of
controlled-strength mixing enamels forming the 24 basic colours. A complete kit, with a workbench and the scale, costs £175 15s and includes a formula book containing information for an unskilled person to mix accurately any standard colour. However, an expert is needed for tinting with colours changed from standard.
The system is available for use with all the vehicle refinishing products made by Berger.
A new primer filler which can be used with all types of finish including low-bake enamels and cellulose, and a 1 to 1 thinner—said to permit heavier coats of paint to be applied without any "orange peel" effect—were also announced. The filler is to be known as Autospeed, and the thinner is for use with the Berger acrylic paints known as Bergacryl.
A Berger film which effectively points out the shortcomings of the old methods of paint mixing while highlighting the convenience and cleanliness of the new, is to be shown at distributors' :customer evenings" and I can recommend it. For an invitation write to Berger Public Relations Officer, Miss Sally Galsworthy, at Carpenters Road, Stratford, London El 5.