ASA Reviews BASF's latest technologies for independent shops

BEDFORD, Texas — Automotive Service Association (ASA) members recently attended the BASF Refinish Technologies review following BASF’s meeting with General Motors Corp. BASF and GM annually review BASF refinish coating products being used by GM dealers and independent repairers. ASA attended in response to an invitation from Joseph Skurka, BASF manager of OEM and Industry Relations.

Guests in attendance on behalf of ASA at the June 5 event included Roy Schnepper, Butler’s Collision in Roseville, Mich.; Dan Stander, Jerry Stander’s Collision in Littleton, Colo.; and Denise Caspersen, ASA Collision Division manager. Also present were Jack Aho, I-CAR director of Internal Services and Processes; Amjad S. Farah, BASF manager of OEM Services Automotive Refinish; and Skurka.

“OEM standards for refinish paint performance have been in place for over 10 years. Many areas of friction between repairers, insurers and information providers could be reduced or eliminated if clear refinish standards were more widely adopted,” says Skurka. “Painting flexible fascias is one example of a process that could benefit from clearly defined performance standards.”

The meeting was held at the BASF facility in Southfield, Mich., and included a review of current refinish coatings panels presented to GM. The panels simulated various repair scenarios for OEM finishes. BASF works with vehicle manufacturer paint engineers to review the refinish coating systems and to judge their individual performance.

This was followed by a tour of the onsite testing facility, of which Lynn Pattison is the head. BASF conducts extensive OEM-required tests within the facility, according to the company.

The Southfield campus also has an analytical laboratory, headed by Jim Laugal, that answers customer and internal inquiries regarding BASF OEM coatings. During the tour, BASF provided an introduction to the computerized spraying process used at OEM assembly plants. BASF also has a reduced manufacturing plant scenario created to test and measure actual coating situations. ASA’s representatives were allowed to tour this facility to see its contents and capabilities.

Following the tour, Skurka presented the group with a company overview, some of its product lines, and BASF’s community involvement and corporate philosophy. In addition to its community involvement, BASF also offers employees a number of internal support and enrichment programs.

Stander, chairman of ASA’s refinish subcommittee, says, “We appreciate the opportunity to learn firsthand the latest technologies available to independent collision repair shops. Thanks also to BASF for extending the invitation and for their hospitality during the visit.”