The fast-drying fillers are marketed under the product names Sikkens Autosurfacer Optima and Lesonal 2K Ultimate Filler. "The new fillers were developed to help our customers accelerate repair performance," says Patrick Bourguignon, director of AkzoNobel's Automotive and Specialty Coatings business. With fast drying at ambient temperature, infrared and 60°C curing, the new product speeds up cycle times, freeing up space in the paint booth. Energy costs can be reduced by up to 85% compared to a conventional filler that requires pretreatment and curing at 60°C, according to the manufacturer.
Combined with the single-application method, the filler can also result in shorter infrared drying process times, allowing paint stores to fit more jobs into a standard workday. Other benefits include improved corrosion protection that eliminates the need for time-consuming pretreatment, meaning technicians can start work immediately and lowering overall repair costs.