Axalta Coating Systems has confirmed a multi-year Team Supplier agreement with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport for Spies Hecker, one of Axalta’s global refinish brands. This extends the relationship already in place between the reigning Formula One World Champions and Spies Hecker.

Spies Hecker has been responsible for the paint of the high-impact, instantly-recognisable liveries on the team’s Silver Arrows race cars for three years, including the Championship-winning 2016 Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid car. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Paint and Graphics team in Brackley, England, use a variety of Spies Hecker products on the race cars.  

“What is exceptionally critical for us is the weight of the paint, the speed of its application and the reliability of the entire system. And by that I mean, being used over and over again, all season, season after season, with the same great results. Spies Hecker delivers that for us,” says Andrew Moody, Head of Paint and Graphics, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport.

The paint process starts with Priomat Wash Primer 4075. Then either Permasolid HS Vario Primer Surfacer 5340, a high solids primer surfacer, or Permasolid HS Performance Surfacer 5320, a fast drying 2K HS sanding surfacer, are used to prepare the surfaces for the Permahyd Hi-TEC Base Coat 480.

Andrew says, “We finish the components off with either Permasolid HS Optimum Plus Clear Coat 8650, a hugely reliable clearcoat, or Permasolid HS Speed Clear Coat 8800 for parts we need to get done and dried quickly.” Over the course of a season, the team paints thousands of panels and components; some weeks as many as 150. And with the entire race car taking about 150 hours, including 30 hours for a front wing, the time adds up. “Speed is essential on the track but also in the spraybooth. We don't have time to accept anything less than perfect,” he says.

Joachim Hinz, Spies Hecker Brand Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, says, “We are delighted we have extended our relationship with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport. The Spies Hecker Hi-TEC Performance System has proved itself to be robust, fast and efficient refinish paint material for the incredibly challenging international F1 circuits.”