The 2019 PPG Colour Matching Competition was run at the Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) at Docklands in Melbourne. The facility is an ideal venue for such a prestigious event, with the contestants supported by their TAFE teachers and mentors from Australia and New Zealand, the various representatives from PPG, of course, and teachers and department heads from the ACE.
Following a series of regional competitions throughout 2019, the grand finale of the PPG Colour Matching Competition involved the best-of-the-best from each state and territory, together with the national champion from New Zealand.
After matching a solid grey colour in the one-hour time limit, contestants moved to the more challenging metallic blue colour, and as the contestants varied from first year to fourth year apprentices, the results reflected the level of experience.
The judging criteria included: accuracy of the colour match on both the face and the flip; the time taken; the number of “moves” required; cleanliness; organisation of the work area; paint usage; and, of course, work safety.
“We’ve been running this event for decades now, and it’s still so great to see so many technicians take the valuable opportunity to further develop their colour matching skills and then test themselves under the pressure of competition,” said Duncan McDonnell, National Sales Manager, PPG Refinish.
After the competition, PPG gave the contestants an opportunity to get hands-on with air brushing, something to which they would have little, if any exposure. It was a great way to unwind and enjoy the rest of the afternoon before the formal announcements late that evening.
Competitors, mentors and PPG staff all gathered for the eagerly awaited presentation dinner where it was announced that the winners were:
First place was Jarrah Moon from Western Australia, who received an iPad Air, a SATA Vision 5000 Hood and a Mirka DEROS sander.
Second place was Aiden Bail from the Northern Territory, who received a Nintendo Switch with Super Smash Bros Ultimate game and a Mirka DEROS sander.
Third place was Maxine Colligan from New South Wales, who received a Ultimate Ears Bluetooth Speaker and a Mirka DEROS sander.
All the finalists are to be congratulated on a hard-fought event. For winning their way to the final, they received a SATAjet X5500 spray gun, which was presented at the gala event.
Congratulations to PPG once again on an extremely professionally organised and run event. The next running of the PPG Colour Matching Competition has already been announced and is scheduled to start around the second quarter of 2020. Places are limited, so speak to your training provider for event timetables and entry details.