March/April 2002

theShowroom   new products

PRIMERS 
Essex Introduces U-5201
Dayton, Ohio-based Dow Automotive/ Essex ARG has introduced a new bare-metal etch primer, BETAPRIME™ U-5201. According to the company, the primer is a user-friendly, one-part formula compatible with all typical metal surfaces. Essex ARG says it dries in 30 minutes, has a 14-day open life and a nine-month shelf life and, when applied properly, provides protection for up to six years.

Essex ARG is also now packaging the U-400EP rapid-cure urethane adhesive and U-418EP primerless to auto glass urethane in 1.4-liter EssexPaks for economy and convenience, according to the company.

TAPES 
Gold Glass Group Offers Variety of Tapes
Gold Glass Group of Bohemia, N.Y., offers a new line of tapes for auto glass installers. According to the company, the tapes are perforated every 3 inches for easy tearing, leave no residue, they are water-repellent and will not remove paint from the car. In addition, the tapes are available in a variety of widths and lengths to suit specific needs.

TOOLS
PipeKnife Co. Introduces PipeKnife XL
The Pipeknife Co. of Lakewood, Colo., has developed the new PipeKnife-XL, an 18-inch-long sealant cutout tool. The "Original Pipeknife," a 14-inch tool for sealant cutting, was introduced in 1987. According to the company, the PipeKnife-XL provides more leverage for easier sealant cutting than the original version. In addition, the new tool provides spare blade storage in its handle and holds 3 to 4 blades. The knife is also now available with vinyl handles for extra comfort and, according to the company, are more durable than the Original PipeKnife.

Crystal Glass Offers the Extractor
Crystal Glass of Alberta, Canada, offers the Extractor, a tool designed for quick and easy glass removal. According to the company, the cutout knife is powered by an advanced battery system. It requires low maintenance, offers a variable speed trigger and a safety lock-off button, decreases the time required for removal and causes little strain for the installer.

WEBSITES 
PPG Sells Company Clothing Online
PPG Auto Glass, based in Pittsburgh, now has available PPG shirts, jackets and other company clothing from its website, www.ppgautoglass.com, according to Jim Ricci, PPG's director of marketing and business analysis. The apparel is available to anyone who visits the website and wishes to purchase PPG Auto Glass clothing.

"We have developed a quick and easy-to-use link on our web site for anyone to order PPG Auto Glass wearables," Ricci said.

"The system has been set up so that there is no minimum quantity. An order for one item can be placed as easily as an order for several hundred."

The site is designed to handle credit card orders via a secure server. "This is one more way we are moving toward a virtual electronic glass shop," Ricci added. A wide variety of merchandise is available for sale online.

TOOLS 
Tyrolit Keeps On Rolling
Tyrolit Vincent offers a wide array of tools for the manufacture of auto glass, including diamond wheels used on machines that manufacture backlites, sidelites and mirrors. The company's peripheral diamond wheels come in a variety of profiles, radii and sizes to suit the customer's specific needs.

C.R. Laurence Introduces Multi-Knife Kit
Los Angeles-based C.R. Laurence Co. Inc. (CRL) has introduced the multi-knife kit for auto glass removal. The company developed a new handle for an assortment of different blades for different uses and combines them all in this kit for easy access and quick changes between blades.

"The CRL multi-knife kit has combined the three most common tools used for auto glass removal with a single-set screw, quick-change feature," said Rick Nelson, automotive products manager.

The blades available with the kit are the Ultra Wiz ¾-inch cold knife blade for cutting the top and sides of a windshield, a 6-1/2-inch-long curved knife blade for cutting along the bottom of the windshield and a ¾-inch wide scraper blade to trim down the old urethane for replacement.

AGRR