3M has announced that it is joining forces with power tools brand Festool to deliver the first in a range of efficient and cost-effective systems for the automotive surface preparation and finishing industries.

The companies are launching the Total Automotive Sanding System, their first joint product for automotive body and paint professionals. 3M says the new system is the most comprehensive of its kind available from a single supplier, covering every area of the bodyshop floor, from body repair to paint preparation and finishing. Everything in the customisable system is compact, mobile and intuitive. This means less time spent searching for tools, as well as reduced cycle and clean-up time, streamlining the entire process and increasing user profits.

The system combines 3M’s best-in-class abrasives with Festool’s premium power tools and dust-extraction technologies.  The system uses 3M’s longer-lasting, fast-cutting, reliable abrasives, including Cubitron II Abrasives, Trizact Abrasives and the Perfect-it Paint Finishing System. These can be used right up until the end of their lives, which reduces material costs.

Key to system efficiency is Festool’s integrated dust-extraction system, which significantly reduces the amount of dust created by sanding and avoid the possibility of dust causing the to rework a job.

Werner Kaelin, 3M Europe business development manager, said, “By having teamed up with Festool, we at 3M are confident we are launching the most comprehensive surface preparation and finishing system available for automotive body and paint professionals who need to deliver high-quality and profitable repairs every time. The system will deliver unmatched performance, efficiency, safety, user comfort and reliability, giving our customers complete peace of mind.” He added, “The Total Automotive Sanding System is just the beginning. 3M’s partnership with Festool will enable us to produce plenty more products to help improve the efficiency and profitability of automotive body repair shops.”