Every day, buses and coaches criss-cross cities and regions, braving everything from blinding sun and coastal salt spray to gravel flicked up from rural roads.
They’re mobile billboards for transport brands, public-facing symbols of reliability and vital links in the public transport chain. But keeping them looking sharp and operational requires more than routine cleaning and mechanical upkeep.
For many in the Australasian bus and coach industry, FleetShield, the flagship range from Dulux Automotive Coatings, has become the go-to premium system that ensures fleets are always looking top of the range.
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“FleetShield is more than just a paint system, it’s a complete solution designed to support fleet operators with repair, refurbishment and reimaging services,” Dulux senior chemist Lindsay Palmer told ABC.
“Used widely across different segments of the bus and coach sector, the FleetShield range has earned its reputation as a durable, easy-to-apply and visually consistent system that meets the high expectations of today’s operators.”
The product range was recently revamped as part of Dulux’s effort to better organise the product range’s offering. Previously made up of different brands, the range was consolidated to ensure ease of use and access for operators.
“We had heard some feedback from customers that the different product names were causing some confusion and so we have taken that feedback onboard and relaunched,” Palmer says.
“By bringing everything under one brand name, this confusion is eliminated, and the products are now easier to understand.”
The FleetShield paint range includes tint bases and high quality solid, metallic and pearl tinters – all ideal for modern fleets. A complete range of primers, hardeners and thinners for large vehicles complement the range.
Bus and coach operators face unique challenges in maintaining the appearance and condition of their vehicles. From long hours on the road and exposure to harsh environmental elements, to stone chipping and UV degradation, the stresses on vehicle exteriors are significant.
FleetShield is engineered to handle exactly these types of wear and tear. Its high-durability formulation provides exceptional resistance to chipping and UV damage, ensuring that vehicles maintain a high-quality finish for longer.
“FleetShield was developed with these challenges in mind. It offers a durable finish that protects against the elements and helps reduce the need for frequent repairs,” Dulux Group technical manager Kathryn Murphy told ABC.
“It’s a system that works hard so your vehicles can too.”
One of the most pressing concerns for fleet operators is downtime. Every hour a bus or coach spends off the road represents lost revenue and inconvenience to passengers.
FleetShield has been developed with ease-of-application in mind, making it an ideal system for quick turnarounds in both large workshops and smaller, on-site facilities.
The easy-to-use nature of the FleetShield system means that operators and applicators can reduce vehicle turnaround time significantly.
In many cases, the efficient application process and fast-drying characteristics ensure minimal disruption to service schedules. This not only boosts operational efficiency but also increases vehicle availability, which is a key metric for fleet managers aiming to maximise productivity.
“Wanting to change up the look of a bus or fix some damages shouldn’t be a burden to operators,” Murphy says.
“That was a priority for us, ensuring our products were easy to apply and would stand the test of time.”
FleetShield’s topcoats offer operators the opportunity to paint their vehicles in different metallic and pearl colour effects without the need to use a base coat.
While fleet paint and ranges have historically been limited, Dulux has taken feedback from customers onboard and introduced new colours and finishes that are often only seen on passenger vehicles.
“Dulux’s colour team worked tirelessly to develop the colours and finishes that are now on offer,” Murphy says.
“We wanted to ensure that operator’s wants and needs were met, and that we could provide them with an unparalleled experience.”
One of the standout features of the FleetShield range is the Dulux Blueprint system, a comprehensive system that ensures colour consistency and application standards are maintained across all vehicles, no matter where or when they’re painted.
“Dulux Blueprints specify colours which are approved by fleet managers and also include a comprehensive guide to the coating processes required for individual fleets,” Palmer says.
This is particularly valuable for larger operators managing vehicles across multiple depots or even states. With the Blueprint in place and backed by Dulux sales and technical support teams in Australia and New Zealand, operators can be confident that their brand image will remain sharp and uniform.
“Our partnership with our applicators and distributors ensures those standards are always met,” Palmer says.
“You get the same finish, whether you’re in Cairns or Christchurch.”
With a strong reputation in the bus and coach industry and a growing presence across Australasia, FleetShield continues to prove itself as a smart investment for forward-thinking operators.
“It’s about more than just paint,” Murphy says.
“It’s about performance, consistency, support and ultimately helping our customers keep their fleets moving and looking great while they do it.”
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