Be sure to check out the Product Showcase pages at the end of this section for more of the latest products impacting the mechanical and collision repair industry.

Fluid Evacuators
The automotive industry is a messy business. How many times have you come home covered in oil or another fluid? Perhaps some of those spills can be prevented by using a fluid evacuator.

ASA member Bob Jones said that the EZ1 Fluid Evacuator, made by the aptly titled company, Fluid Evacuators, has made a major contribution to his business. "It provides a simple and easy-to-use method of evacuating fluid from the pan area of transmissions before the pan is removed," Jones said, "thus eliminating the spill potential that we've experienced in the past. It is, without a doubt, the best purchase we've made in a long time!"

The Fluid Evacuator is mostly used for changing differential fluid and for changing transmission fluid. The product can also be used for oil changes, bleeding brakes or changing power steering fluid.

Other benefits of the fluid evacuator are that it eliminates the possibility of a stripped drain plug and that they can correct overfills.

The EZ1 tank is made of steel, and has one- to fifteen-gallon capacities available.

Another fluid evacuator manufacturer is Vacula, with a model that includes a self-drain that disposes fluid directly into the waste tank or barrel.

Paint Spray Booths
Lee Bokar of Lopack Auto Body, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio, also prizes his Spraybake downdraft booth. He believes it has helped "make the difference" in the repair process in his shop.

Bokar said his Spraybake downdraft booth, like his Car-O-Liner drive-up system, had never broken down in five years. Both are a must-have to repair vehicles, and the Spraybake booth (like his frame machine) is a "workhorse brand that really makes the difference," he said.

Among recent product introductions by Spraybake are some technologically innovative and useful features to help automotive repair facilities operate more productively and profitably.

These advances include the SmartBooth option, which is available on Spraybake's flagship product lines, the 1000-Series and ADDvantage-Series downdraft paint booths.

SmartBooth technology gives the body shop manager the ability to monitor and control booth operations from a desktop PC, using user-friendly Windows-based software, and permits constant on-line monitoring. The feature also provides on-line diagnostic support from Spraybake factory technicians, as well as an electronic Help Manual.

Spray booth data can be easily collected and customized - including job times, energy/fuel consumption and maintenance scheduling. And a built-in communications system permits the Spraybake distributor or the factory to be contacted via pager.

Also available are network capabilities, which means that collision centers with more than one Spraybake booth in one or more shops can monitor all their booths from one location. Up to 32 Spraybake spray booths can be linked - operating from just one PC.

Spraybake's PowerBake feature provides faster curing times by elevating the metal temperature of a vehicle more rapidly and evenly. The PowerBake settings are already programmed with paint manufacturers' specifications for the optimum curing times.

The company has also announced major improvements to IRT shortwave infrared paint curing products, which are marketed by Spraybake and its distributor network. The new IRT mobile units feature a totally new cassette design with a computer optimized reflector pattern, and incorporate a microprocessor-controlled drying system. A number of drying programs are pre-set into the unit's memory. All the technician needs to do is press a button and the dryer automatically takes care of the rest. The units incorporate an innovative curing technique - known as Optimal Curing Function (OCF) - which pulses heat into the material being cured. The new technology provides the capability of curing larger surfaces in less time than ever before possible.

Many of the latest changes in paint booths revolve around increasing production.

That is what Garmat USA Inc., of Englewood, Colo., had in mind with one of its latest achievements: the industry's first listing of a prep station as a closed-top, open-front paint booth.

While many shops use prep stations for application of primer and even spot painting, it is rarely legal, said Garmat General Manager Cindy Elder, because the prep stations don't meet legally required standards.

"This brought it from a situation where they were doing it illegally to where they now have a legal option," said Karl De Regge, Garmat's president. "Obviously, everyone wants to be following the laws of the land."

Garmat's new prep station meets OSHA, EPA, and fire department standards, said Garmat National Project Manager Jimmy Lee Harris.

Harris said the new prep station has been made "enclosed" with air flow.

While the new offering is technically a paint booth, said Harris, it is meant as a production enhancement to supplement a shop's enclosed booth, not to operate as a shop's only spray booth.

"It's still an open environment," Harris said. "You're still at the mercy of the person in the next booth blowing off a vehicle."

Another device that is helping shops improve production rates is Garmat's multi-set-point controller for its spray booth baking systems. The Quik-Cure controller allows up to eight temperature settings during the painting and baking cycle.

Where shops once used only two temperatures - painting and baking - De Regge said they now typically use four: painting, ramp-up bake, bake, and cool down.

The need for multiple temperature settings is the result of changes in paint chemistry, Harris said.

"As we go down this low-VOC road and the paint becomes higher in solids, we're beginning to discover that the clear doesn't have enough solvent to keep the surface open," Harris said. "The clear wants to skin over, which results in solvent popping and dye back. To solve this, we're taking the bake temperatures a lot higher, a lot faster."

The goal now is to take the booth from 80 to 180 degrees in 90 seconds, Harris said. "It basically boils the solvents to the surface and keeps the surface open so the solvents can evaporate," he said.

Another benefit of the higher paint baking temperatures is that they result in faster bake times, Harris said. "Instead of baking at 140 degrees for 40 minutes, we bake at 190 for 17 minutes. At the end of the day that can mean another job or two being finished," he pointed out.

The desire to paint more vehicles without large additions in space or personnel is the driving force behind a number of other changes in the type of equipment Garmat sells. Among those are growing sales of heated prep stations, jamming tunnels, and multicar paint booths.

Team Blowtherm, which is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., recently introduced a completely new product line. The new line includes the premium downdraft spray booths Ultra 2000, Expert 2000, and Concept II Cure, Concept 1000 semi-downdraft and crossdraft booths, as well as the UltraMix mix and clean room, and the UltraPrep prep station.

These products feature not only precoated steel dual- or single-skin construction, high efficiency filtering, and inspection level lighting, but also inherently incorporate the decades of engineering and application expertise brought together in the Team Blowtherm group. Downdraft booths can be configured with in-ground single, dual or three-row pits, or raised platform. A complete range of burner packages and generating groups are available to wholly customize a unit to specific needs.

Shop productivity can be greatly enhanced with the addition of SmartCure technology to the Ultra 2000 and Expert 2000 models. Tested in cooperation with paint companies, this technology permits accelerated, consistent and predictable curing of modern finishes.

Lifts
Safety and convenience are the focus of the latest automotive lifts. These trends will only continue to increase as safety standards are heightened in the lift industry.

Recently, a new safety standard for automotive lift construction, testing and validation was approved by the American National Standards Institute. This new standard requires lifts to undergo rigid testing performed under the surveillance of an independent testing laboratory which then attests the lift's conformity. The standard becomes fully effective on April 1, 2000.

Convenience and versatility are both the focus of Mohawk's new lift, the USL-6000 (universal scissor lift). This 6000 lb. capacity lift is designed for space-saving and offers unobstructed side access for exhaust, driveline, oil and transmission work.

The lift is also geared to collision repairers, according to Steve Pearlstein, of Mohawk Lifts. The unobstructed side access feature makes it easier for collision repairers to work on the doors and side body panels of an automobile. The lift is portable and comes fully assembled.

The USL-6000 is the only lift in the industry that offers full-rise, portability, and complete undercar access.

Mohawk has also released the TP-20 lift which has a lift capacity of 20,000 lbs. This two-post, above-ground lift is designed to lift utility trucks, ambulances, fleet vehicles, and most passenger cars.

Another new lift is the Twinn-Lift from Chart Industries. This product has two independent lifts attached to a single post. It is designed to save space and eliminate clutter in the service bays.

The Twinn-Lift is available in 7,000 and 9,000 lb. lift capacities. Its heavy-duty construction has 50 ton chain capacities, an internal oil reservoir for cooling, and all steel parts. It also has automatic mechanical safety locks and a hydraulic safety system.

Snap-on's new lift technology centers around safety. Their new EELR326A Harrier Asymmetric Twin Post Lift offers a new triple safety system that ensures technician safety with three different checkpoints during the lifting and lowering process.

The system automatically stops the lift when a velocity fuse senses changes in the hydraulic pressure or the pilot-operated check valve recognizes an obstruction. The lift also stops when the handle is released by the technician.

The 9,000 lb. lift contains an automatic hydraulic equalization system for smoothness and high wear resistance.

Equipment Movers
Several of the products suggested by technicians qualified as favorites because of the time they saved on daily tasks. One such product was Nu-Star's Power Pusher.

Diane Hawkins, sales and marketing manager for Dunn Transmissions in Tyler, Texas, said the Power Pusher couldn't be more useful. "Moving disabled cars in and out of the shop once was a job that took five or six technicians, taking them away from their work. Now with the Power Pusher, it is a job for two, which saves us time and money, not to mention backaches," said Hawkins.

In addition to pushing or pulling vehicles, equipment movers can be helpful in moving heavy materials throughout the shop. The Power Pusher can also be used to jump start a vehicle with its self-contained battery cables.

Standard features may vary from brand to brand so shop around if you're interested in purchasing an equipment mover for your business. The standard features for the Power Pusher include single-speed operation, capacity to move up to 4,000 pounds up to a 3 percent grade, automatic braking and anti-runaway features, a 24-volt 10-amp charger, and a one-year warranty on all parts. Optional accessories include jumper cables, pull bar, tire chains and batteries (two are required for the Power Pusher).

Fuel System Cleaners
MotorVac Technologies manufactures products that are designed to clean fuel systems. The CarbonClean unit is distributed under many different names and styles internationally. This unique product has been popular among shop owners.

ASA member John Francis said "we did over $20,000 in sales with this tool. It is easy to use and makes a huge difference in the way the car performs. The customer can feel the difference. It's easy to sell because it works!"

Traditionally, dealing with engine contamination was time-consuming and expensive. The MotorVac units offer a cheaper, easier way to clean out carbon build-up, gums and varnishes, and it also has diagnostic capabilities.

Another shop owner, Geoff Pahios, told us that the MotorVac has had a large impact on his business. "The MotorVac unit has really helped us correct some very strange and difficult problems to pinpoint."

The equipment passes a detergent and gas mixture through the components of the fuel system without causing any damage to any fuel system or engine parts.

The process is designed to restore new car performance, reduce exhaust emissions and improve fuel economy.

According to Brian Chee of MotorVac Technologies, the CarbonClean unit is constantly being updated with the latest technology to ensure that it offers the most effective results. An updated model is released about every year.

Parts Washers
It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. So why not part washing machines? Several companies offer parts washers of various sizes and styles, all claiming to make life easier and increase productivity at the shop.

John Francis said of his parts cleaner from Cuda, "The techs said we did not need it and I bought it anyway. Now they would not be without it. Saves a huge amount of time and time equals money."

One concern, however, is the environmental damage caused by the solvents used to rid automotive parts of oil, dirt and other substances.

In addition to convenience and efficiency, environmental concerns are being addressed by manufacturers of these products.

Advanced Bioremediation Systems, Inc. (ABS, Inc.) has developed a closed loop, surface cleaning system that uses water-based cleaners that are less harmful to the environment.

Because the product, called Zymo the Parts Washer, is a closed loop system, it eliminates the hauling away of hazardous waste. Microbes eat and biodegrade oil and grease.

The Cuda Parts Washers do not use hazardous solvents, but a solution of hot water and biodegradable detergent. The solution contains rust inhibitors to protect parts and won't dissolve rubber or other materials.

Clarke Power Products offers two models of parts washers, one with a 20-gallon tank and one with a 3-gallon tank. These do not include solvents or detergents, but they accept all degreasing agents. The 20-gallon model has a fusible link that automatically closes in case of a fire.

Frame Machines
A couple of years ago, AutoInc. reported how the increasing popularity of sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks had led to modifications in frame machines to accommodate clamping these larger vehicles. Bob Besse, marketing manager of Chief Automotive Systems Inc., at that time said: "Look for increased flexibility in the capabilities of future frame machines."

Among companies apparently hearing that siren song is Standard Tools & Equipment. Greg Ford, vice president for Standard Tools & Equipment, said his firm manufactures five different styles of frame machines, including mobile units. A fixed unit can tie up a space in a shop, but if it's mobile, it can be moved anywhere and be used for other things, like changing a tire or changing oil. Obviously, a mobile unit can offer a shop more flexibility.

Ford also said maybe the biggest change in frame machines in the past year or so has been in the lift mechanism. Ford said, "We're going from tilt beds to drive-over and lift frame machines. That's pretty much an industry change, coming from Europe."

Brewco 360Á Collision Repair System of Central City, Ky, says its Legend 360Á virtually eliminates setup and removal time. Robotics automatically lift, clamp and raise a vehicle. Of course, saving time can enable a shop to make more money.

Lee Bokar of Lopack Auto Body, Inc., in Cleveland, Ohio, really likes the Car-O-Liner drive-up system called the Benchrack 5500. It has really made a difference in the repair process, he reported. A frame machine is a "must-have" to repair vehicles, but the Car-O-Liner drive-up system is a "workhorse brand" that makes a difference, said Bokar.

Car-O-Liner Co. is a manufacturer of drive-on bench collision repair systems with 3-D mechanical and computerized measuring.

Repair Information

Hardware
When asked which products make a difference in their business, several shop owners said their computer system. Internet access was also mentioned by several respondents.

As computer technology becomes more advanced, faster and more affordable, businesses are increasingly dependent on their hardware and software products.

Juel Clevenger, president of Delta Diagnostic and Repair Inc., in Lees Summit, Mo., said a networking computer system is one of the most helpful products in his business. He has five computers in his shop with the capability to access the management system, repair data and an appointment scheduler from any of the terminals. "This has been a great time saver and one where all technicians and service advisors take full advantage of it every day," said Clevenger.

Internet usage continues to grow and more companies are offering their services online. From training programs to technical data, information from online sources are popular with many automotive repair businesses because it offers "immediate" access.

Mechanical Repair Data
New Windows versions used to be the biggest newsmaker, but another feature in repair data systems is now getting its share of the spotlight. Leading companies offering electronic automotive diagnostic and repair information are including the digital versatile disc (DVD) medium as an option for their customers. DVD is a new type of data disc that can store up to 12 times the information that one CD can hold. Another valuable feature is that DVD-ROM drives can also read CDs.

"By providing our customers the DVD option, we've reduced the number of discs they'll need from 35 to only five," says Rick Lantz, vice president of marketing for ALL- DATA.

The company's latest version is ALLDATA for Windows version 3.0.

Mitchell Repair Information Co. offers a free DVD option to its customers with the company's latest version of Mitchell ON-DEMAND. Mitchell ON-DEMAND 4 can also improve efficiency with its article recall feature. The program now recalls the last 10 articles accesses, so the user can return to previous information with a single click. This is handy for workstations shared by two or more technicians.

Collision Estimating Systems
Standards developed by the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) are driving collision estimating systems toward a more simplified data exchange process between shops and insurance companies.

CIECA's Estimating to Management System (EMS) allows collision estimating and shop management systems to share data in a standardized format. EMS was developed by industry participants involved with CIECA. The overall trend in estimating systems is offering more features, a user-friendly format, faster access to data, and integration with multiple programs.

Mitchell International's UltraMate version 4.0 complies with CIECA's EMS standards and offers advanced communication features, a database of labor operation times for used or recycled parts and an interface to the recycled parts electronic locator.

CCC Information Services Inc. also offers products that use CIECA's EMS standards, including its Pathways Collision Estimating system. CCC has also introduced GuideLines, an online decision support tool that offers repairers Internet access to performance data.

ADP Claims Solutions Group has released its latest estimating system, ShopLink for Windows Multi-User. This system eliminates the need for a dedicated server and benefits shops in need of multiple workstations, but that are not yet ready for a more costly network configuration.

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