Coatings Companies Highlight Latest Products, Services at SEMA

For the automotive refinish industry, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is an important date to the circle on the calendar. The show features exhibitors from every aspect of the auto refinish industry, including paints and coatings. This year’s show is no exception, as AkzoNobel, BASF and IGL Coatings are on hand to show their latest developments.

AkzoNobel has put together a huge show for SEMA, headlined by twice-daily autograph sessions with Dave Kindig, the star of Motortrend Network’s Bitchin’ Rides show and creator of custom car company Kindig-it Design. The AkzoNobel booth features its Sikkens brand as well as Carbeat, AkzoNobel’s digital body shop workflow solution.

In particular, AkzoNobel has set up two rig spots with 4,800 square feet of exhibit space, where Kindig will showcase five of his unique vehicles: a 1969 Camaro, 1971 Nova and three of Kindig’s 1953 Chevy Corvette CF1 Roadsters. AkzoNobel notes that in addition, a sixth car, a 1940 Ford that is owned by one of AkzoNobel’s account reps, will also be on display. The 1940 Ford is painted with Sikkens refinish paint.

“The SEMA Show is a special time for us, and we’re excited to be exhibiting and contributing in many ways again this year,” said John Eubanks, regional marketing manager – Americas, AkzoNobel Automotive & Specialty Coatings, in announcing AkzoNobel’s plans for SEMA. “Our relationship with Dave Kindig continues to grow and provide a real spark for us, and SEMA provides the best opportunity for us to showcase how he uses our paints to help create his masterpieces.”

BASF also announced major plans for SEMA. BASF will showcase products from four of its paint lines: Glasurit, R-M, Limco, and the newest paint line for North America, baslac. Glasurit 100 Line, BASF’s most advanced waterborne basecoat system on the market that the company launched in 2020, will be a particular highlight. In addition, BASF will show its Refinity cloud-based platform.

One of the coolest things about SEMA is the opportunity to see some of the most creative builds, and BASF has plenty of them on hand. BASF described the following highlights:
• Goolsby Customs 1969 Dodge Van A108 – Painted with Glasurit 55 Line, the “Vantasy” features a 6.4L Mopar Performance Hemi and a one-off Roadster Shop fast track chassis.
• Pfaff Motorsports 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 R – The IMSA Weather Tech SportsCar Championship GTD Pro class champion of 2022 and painted with Glasurit 100 Line.
• Eddie’s Rod and Custom 1963 Corvette – Painted in Rogue Green featuring a custom wide body and 1000 Hp LS3 with Whipple Supercharger built by Steve Morris Engines.
• Roadster Shop 1970 Chevelle – Painted with Glasurit 55 Line in a deep black and classic white that features a Roadster Shop Spec Chassis and countless subtle custom modifications that set the vehicle apart.
• Girl Gang Garage 1961 Volvo – The latest all-female build by Bogi Lateiner’s Girl Gang Garage known as the “Iron Maven,” a 1961 Volvo worked on by more than 100 women.

In addition, BASF will present the BASF Achievement Award, recognizing an individual whose hard work, dedication and commitment to high-level standards sets them apart from others in the industry, as well as the Glasurit Best Paint Award, in which designer and Chip Foose and three-time winner Jonathan Goolsby from Goolsby Customs join the BASF team to look for the vehicle that best demonstrates the brilliant color and shine that Glasurit is known for.

“BASF is passionate about helping body shops be successful as different facets of the industry continue to evolve,” said Joel Johnson, vice president of BASF Refinish, is announcing BASF’s plans for SEMA. “The launch of solutions such as Glasurit 100 Line and Refinity mean faster repairs, more advanced color matching and less waste. We encourage everyone at the show to stop by our booth and learn more about each one.”

For IGL Coatings, SEMA offers the ideal opportunity to highlight its new Essentials product line. IGL reports that Essentials is a “greener, stripped down” version of its ecocoat series, featuring its Kenzo, Quartz+, Quartz, Poly and EZ Spray products in 100ml sizes, up from smaller sizes. In addition, the original Kenzo, or K1, formula returns as an Essentials exclusive.

IGL Coatings reports that using Essentials leads to less wastage, higher value and better margins.

“Essentials brings added value, product and efficiency,” said Keong Chun Chieh, CEO of IGL Coatings, in announcing the launch. “Especially the IGL family, who are doing so much more. When some of our top detailers are looking at 10-20 vehicles a day, or other amazing projects that just need larger quantities of product.”