5 Ways Bodyshop Managers Can Save On Their Energy Consumption

Soaring energy prices are causing significant strains on the profitability of Bodyshops across the UK. Astonishing reports by the ABP Club recently documented that a single site's gas bill had risen nearly 500% since January 2022.

This new threat to profitability is just another to add to the list of woes for Bodyshop managers. From supply chain issues to recruitment and frequent price increases, it can be tough to see the wood from the trees.

To support Bodyshop managers, Carlac's Technical Team has devised a list of five solutions they can implement in their Bodyshops to reduce energy consumption - supporting healthier profit margins and increased productivity.

1. Think Smart

A quick win to minimise energy consumption is to think smarter about when you turn on the spray booth. As tempting as it is, switching the spray booth on at the beginning of the day means that as repairs are processed in the morning, the spray booth is wasting energy - costing the business money. You're best waiting until you're ready to paint, then switch on the booth. Also, you could save a considerable amount of energy by organising repairs so that jobs for the next day are primed at the end of the day, allowing them to air dry overnight. Simple changes to workflow can make big gains in the long run.

2. Ultraviolet (UV)Technology

Utilising UV technology as part of the repair process significantly reduces your reliance on your energy-guzzling spray booth. Switching to UV fillers and primers removes the necessity for a bake cycle in the spray booth as the repair is cured using a UV lamp. UV lamps operate with LED technology and promote plug-and-play, so there's no waiting around for the lamp to heat up. The LED light transfers energy instantaneously, curing the repair, and with no heat, there's no waiting around for the panel to cool down, enabling the repair to be sanded and processed to the next stage.

3. Fast Cure Clear Coats

Significant developments in fast-drying clear coats are a game changer for the automotive refinishing sector - minimising the time needed in the spray booths to cure. For example, the 9600 SFR X-Cure from Silco is an ultra-fast drying clear coat that delivers a perfect refinish for any sized repair in minutes (even at room temperature!). Or, for those opting to use the spray booth to dry the clear coats, the panel is cured in as little as 5 minutes. Once cooled, the panels can be polished immediately – boosting workflows.

4. Spray Booth Maintenance

We all know that the spray booth is a critical part of the repair process and the largest energy consumer in a Bodyshop. So, it's important to ensure that it's in peak condition and always running efficiently. Having a straightforward daily, weekly and monthly checklist ensures the spray booth is in top condition, running efficiently and mitigating the risk of any downtime - halting job throughput. A comprehensive log of how your booth is running can also enable you to plan daily jobs effectively, maintain workflow and serve as important information to your maintenance provider during any service output.

5. The Polishing Process

The innovative Perfin Trident Fine Finishing Discs and Moxi Polishing Compounds from Silco remove a stage from the polishing process while delivering the perfect finish. High-performing polishing discs and innovative nanotechnology compound formulas save the technician time, utilising less energy and fewer stages to the repair.

Finally…

There is comfort in doing the same thing and keeping processes the same, but with rising energy costs attacking Bodyshop's profitability, now is not the time to maintain the status quo. Exploring opportunities to save energy in your repair process should be at the top of your list, and that's where the Carlac Team can step in to support you. Get in touch today.