US repairs will be the beneficiary of Australian practical experience with a new partnership in plastic vehicle repairs.
PPG with its products business SEM will be the exclusive distributor in the US and Canada 4Plastic, a leading manufacturer of innovative repair and refinishing products that has been tested and used in Australia, New Zealand and the UK
4Plastic managing director Michael LoPrete says the products have been in development for 18 months, with extensive pilot testing and collaboration conducted with leading MSOs.
“These unique tools and materials were built on the success of the filler-free plastic repair process already utilised in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, then brought to the United States,” LoPete says.
“There have been over one million bumper and headlight repairs completed to date by leading MSOs utilising this filler-free process that the 4Plastic range is built upon.”
LoPrete says the product range allows repaired plastic parts to behave and perform as the OEM originally intended—preserving flexibility, durability and structural integrity without the added weight and fragility that traditional fillers and two-part epoxies add. These are a major cause of rising repair costs for plastics and warranty returns due to repairs failing.
He says, 4Plastic’s fillerless innovation is reshaping collision repair standards by delivering smarter, more sustainable solutions that align with OEM specifications.
PPG business director, allied products, Automotive Refinish Meghan Barrera says it is a timely move as the industry seeks higher standards of training and techniques in plastic repairs.
“It also aligns with the recent launch of Plasnomic and the announcement of the Plastic Repair Alliance Council—a groundbreaking collaboration bringing together some of the most dynamic and respected professionals in the global collision repair industry.”
“This agreement and the development of the plastic repair specialty range represent the latest response to the growing industry demand for safer, higher-standard plastic repair solutions,”
The product range includes:
- New 2K Texture Product Line: Developed in collaboration with SEM and 4Plastic, this 2K solution addresses the growing demand for OEM-grade texture finishes. All texture ranges are covered, from smooth to heavy grain, as well as multiple shades of black and grey, with lab-tested consistency and durability.
- Companion Mobile App: A simple-to-use color-matching app has been developed to support paint technicians, making color and texture matching faster, easier and more precise. This replaces the traditional texture grain and color swatches sent to collision shops.
- Specialty Plastic Repair Tools & Materials: A full suite of specialty supplies, including a revolutionary new bumper push tool and patented blended PP/EPDM welding rods, designed specifically for today’s complex automotive plastics.
- Bumper Tab Repair Jigs: Patented, specialized jigs designed for bumper tab repairs, enabling a straightforward and streamlined repair process. The jigs clip easily onto broken areas, allowing for precise fuse welding. They also function as securing tools to hold edge splits together during repairs. (Image attached)
- Headlight Repair Solutions: A pioneering range of headlight restoration products designed to address scratched, chipped and faded lenses—meeting the needs of both performance and aesthetic restoration.
For more information on 4Plastic, click here.
For more information on SEM, click here.