UCoat It® Floor Coating Contributes To Professional Environment For Universal Technical Institute Students

EXTON, Pa., (May 15, 2009) – For the Exton students at Universal Technical Institute (UTI), a division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), working on cars isn’t just a hobby – it’s the career they chose to pursue. At this 200,000-square-foot facility, one of nine campuses across the country, UTI provides intensive, hands-on training in both automotive and diesel technology for tomorrow’s technicians. In addition to teaching the intricacies of complex automotive systems, UTI also places great importance on instilling a sense of professionalism in every student.

“We want our students to think of themselves as professional ‘technicians,’ not just ‘mechanics,’” said Roy Benner, facilities manager for UTI’s Exton campus. “Their personal appearance and working environment are very important to achieving that mindset. We have a dress code that is strictly enforced at each facility and work hard to make sure the classrooms and shop areas are immaculate.”

That was one reason UTI chose UCoat It® epoxy floor coatings for the new Ford Accelerated Credential Training (FACT) and Toyota service areas, as well as the classroom where automatic transmission servicing is taught.

“UTI prides itself on providing hands-on training, so the shop areas are real work environments,” explained Benner. “Cleaners, hydraulic fluids and solvents get spilled, as you would expect. We wanted a floor coating that could stand up to this punishment and still look great.”

UCoat It is a commercial-grade, easy-to-apply epoxy garage floor coating that has been used successfully in thousands of automotive dealerships nationwide.  At UTI, a UCoat® basecoat was applied first, followed by UFlek® decorative flakes. In the FACT service area, a Ford logo also was applied. The floor coating then was finished with a UGloss AF® high-gloss topcoat, producing a highly reflective shine.

Besides providing a professional work environment, the light-colored floor coating also improves visibility. “The coated floor makes it easier to see small parts when they fall on the floor,” Benner said. ”We also noticed a significant improvement in overall light levels after applying the UCoat It floor coating.”

All UCoat It floor systems begin with two coats of UCoat, a water-based, commercial-grade epoxy floor coating. The first coat of UCoat floor coating is a bonding coat and is applied directly to a freshly prepared, damp floor. A co-plastimer additive in the first coat allows UCoat to flow and dry at the proper rate, penetrating the damp, porous concrete or wood floor and permanently bonding to the substrate. After application of the second coat, the surface can be modified further with UFlek™ decorative flakes and UGloss™ high-gloss topcoats.

UCoat is water-based epoxy that is free of noxious odors. The floor of a typical two-car garage can be coated in about six hours, including drying time, and ready for cars to be driven on it after 24 hours. The UCoat It floor coating system features seven color options -- black, white, tile red, medium blue, beige, light gray and medium gray.

UCoat may be applied to any properly prepared wood or concrete floor. UCoat is ideal for garages, basements, patios, race shops, kennels, airplane hangars, barns and any other place a durable, protective finish is desired. UCoat is resistant to damage from chemicals, abrasions and impacts. It stands up to moisture, welding spatter and jack stands. With the application of UTex™, the anti-slip additive included in every kit, UCoat is safe to walk on even when the floor is wet. Applied as directed, UCoat is lifetime warranted against lifting, peeling and blistering, including “hot tire pickup.”

About Universal Technical Institute
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is a leading provider of technical education training for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians. The company offers undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs at 10 campuses across the United States, and manufacturer-sponsored advanced programs at 19 dedicated training centers. Through its campus-based school system, Universal Technical Institute offers specialized technical education programs under several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). For more information, visit www.uti.edu.