As more and more countries adopt VOC emission restrictions, water-based or waterborne basecoat systems have become the new keyword in the industry. Just open one of the leading collision repair mags from the USA, and you’ll see all the major global players advertising their water-based systems.

ChemSpec have been hard at work on their new Hydrolux basecoat system for the past couple of years, having pre-empted the trend towards this technology. By entering the market slightly later than their competitiors, they have been able to add several breakthrough new technologies into the Hydrolux toners.

These new ingredients have eradicated some of the problems that have plagued other water-based brands such as short shelf-life, temperature sensitivity and the inability of toners to be exposed to sub-zero temperatures during storage or transportation.

Hydrolux delivers an expected 80% reduction in VOC emissions, making the new line totally world emission compliant. Company CEO Strath Wood says Hydrolux has been developed by an expert team of chemists using the very latest raw material technologies. The actual process and performance in its application and daily use will require almost no change at all for any bodyshop repair centre to convert to. The new product, is also fully compatible with the Metalux 2 Range and by using 90% less solvent, Hydrolux also helps in cycle times, for it results in fewer application coats being needed for full cover to gain outstanding results.

The system comprises 67 basecoat toners and is capable of matching over 140 000 international colours as you would expect of such a premium quality waterbased product. It is launched with a 4-Life paint warranty package for ultimate peace of mind for system users in the long term.

The mixing bank stock is a mix of Hydrolux Toners, Binders, Blending additives and special thinners.

Heart of the system’s colour capabilities is ChemSpec’s award-winning EasiMix Professional software. This is fully integrated with the Professional Colour Selector - the world’s biggest colour tool with over

12 000 actual colour swatch sprayouts for visual matching of colours. Along with this is a full colour wheel wall chart and system posters that go with each new installation. These features add to Hydrolux’s integrated approach to refinish bodyshop colour repairs.

The range was officially launched at NACE in Las Vegas in November last year. The addition of a new VOC high solid clearcoat has boosted world acceptance for the Hydrolux brand. The exceptional value of Hydrolux delivers a cost to the end user of approximately half of that of many of the major international competitors and that’s really shaken up some traditional world markets in a big way. And this coupled to its ease of use and wet look final finish has contributed in Hydrolux selling beyond Chemspec’s wildest expectations.