Covestro Advances Automotive Topcoat Paint Industry

Covestro is introducing an innovative system called Dockit®, a clever technology that significantly simplifies and accelerates the distribution of automotive topcoats in paint shops. The clear coat and hardener are maintained in the optimum mixing ratio and are ready for use in the shortest possible time. Tests conducted so far under realistic conditions in external workshops have proven the system to be highly successful. Developed several years ago by Covestro employee Marc Schreiber, the system won the company's first Start-up Challenge. The system was so promising that it became a separate venture called "go clear." [caption id="attachment_137097" align="aligncenter"] Covestro's clever Dockit® technology significantly simplifies and accelerates the measurement of automotive topcoats in paint shops. Varnish and hardener are maintained in perfect mixing ratio and become ready for use in the shortest possible time. © Covestro[/caption] As creators of the system, Schreiber and his team were temporarily released from their regular duties, and the team was allocated the necessary financial resources to advance development to series maturity. Covestro's Start-up Challenge aims to encourage creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Paint Dosing in a Capsule

Daily routine in car repair shops and paint shops: raw materials for two-component clear coats must be measured, weighed and mixed. For professionals, these are quick tasks they perform every day. However, ultimately, these processes consume valuable time that could be spent on the actual painting work. Moreover, if mistakes occur during the process, they can negatively affect the painting result and in the worst case lead to material losses. [caption id="attachment_137098" align="aligncenter"] Thanks to the new system, the finished coating is available exactly when needed. The applicator does not need to interrupt their work and can focus entirely on achieving a perfectly good coating result. © Covestro[/caption] Covestro's new system significantly simplifies preparation by combining the entire mixing process in a single capsule. The Dockit® system contains clear coat and hardener in separate chambers within one capsule. Both components, already in the optimum mixing ratio, flow into each other when a button is pressed and can be mixed in a very short time simply by shaking. Marc Schreiber, Covestro coating specialist and system "inventor," explains: "The topcoat is available exactly when needed. Painters no longer have to interrupt their work and can focus entirely on achieving a good painting result."

No Additional Equipment Required

The capsule is screwed onto the spray gun with the aid of an adapter and the clear coat is immediately ready for use, applied as usual. When using the Dockit® system, painters do not require any additional equipment. The capsule is suitable for most conventional two-component clear coats. Since no containers need to be opened, the components and thus the coatings are protected from dust and dirt. Source