New Autoglym Reflow allows damaged paint to ‘self-heal’

Autoglym Reflow product packaging

Autoglym Reflow is a new product from the UK firm that repairs paint lacquer damage, faded spots and etching marks caused by that most feared of deposits: bird droppings.

What’s more, the repairs are quick, easy and require minimal hands-on work.

Autoglym Reflow is a water-activated thermal transfer heat treatment patch. Place it over the damaged area, add water… and it heats up itself.

This is to a specific temperature, one that is retained for a specific length of time for paintwork to soften, ‘reflow’ and fill in the damage. 

Paintwork then resets as it cools. 

Applying Autoglym Reflow

This process heats up the lacquer paint surface itself and allows it to ‘self-heal’ in 30 minutes. It can be left to do its work, so professional smart repair operators can get on with other jobs.

Autoglym Reflow in use

Part of the Autoglym Professional range, it is intended for use by smart repairers and auto retailers, although it is also sold through Autoglym’s regular online store.

A pack of five Reflow patches costs £30.

Autoglym CEO Paul Caller said: “Reflow is a truly innovative product as it allows a very simple, effort-free means of permanently repairing minor paint imperfections, potentially saving a considerable amount of money that would otherwise be spent on respraying or relacquering an entire body panel.

“We believe this is the most innovative product the automotive refinishing industry has seen in years and offers a great profit opportunity to those offering smart repairs and localised bodywork refurbishment.”

How do bird droppings damage paintwork?

For car care connoisseurs, bird droppings make their hearts sink. If not cleared quickly, they often leave etchings or impressions on the paintwork.

“This is caused by the warming and cooling cycle of the vehicle’s paintwork” explain the Aytoglym scientists.

“The top level clear coat of paint warms and moulds around the bird dropping and then cools and hardens. The heating cycle may be triggered by sunlight or heat from the engine.

“Over time, as the cycle repeats, the clear coat takes on an impression of the bird dropping, often appearing in the form of a faded or dull etchings.”

Just how bad the damage will be depends on the composition of the bird dropping, climatic conditions, plus the age of the vehicle and how long it has been left on the paintwork.

ALSO READ

Revealed: the UK’s rustiest cars and where to find them

Barn finds at the NEC Classic Car and Restoration Show

How the Range Stormer prepared the world for the Range Rover Sport

Related Articles

Richard Aucock
Richard Aucock
I'm Managing Director at @editorial_mr. I run a bit, cycle a bit, love the automotive industry. I'm a World Car Awards juror and Deputy Chairman of the Guild of Motoring Writers.

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

spot_imgspot_img

Latest

Frank’s Dream Garage: critiquing the great car designs on YouTube

Frank Stephenson’s latest YouTube series looks at the greatest car designs of all time… and shows how they can perhaps be made even better.

The ‘Go-anywhere car’ – a history of the Mercedes G-Wagen

From military workhorse to Chelsea clothes horse, the Mercedes G-Wagen is certainly versatile. We tell its story.

Spot the difference: cars that share the same rear lights

We reveal the unlikely cars that share the same rear light clusters, including the Jaguar XJ220 and the Rover 200.

Great Motoring Disasters: Sinclair C5

Sir Clive Sinclair's revolutionary electric trike for the masses wasn't quite the success he hoped for. We tell the story of the Sinclair C5.

Auction Car of the Week: 1974 BMW E9 CSi

Luxurious, beautiful and sporting to drive, this 1974 BMW E9 CSi could be yours. Read on for details of our Auction Car of the Week.