Isle of Wight automotive refinishing apprentice Abi Bird has won a nationwide competition, securing a one-of-a-kind spray gun featuring her own design.
Abi, who works at Wilton’s in Shanklin, was named the winner of the 2026 SATA Spray Gun Design Competition, organised by School of Thought Automotive and SATA UK.
She received a custom-styled SATAjet X 5500 spray gun featuring her winning digital artwork, valued at more than £600, during a presentation at the Mipa Paints Training Facility in Havant on Thursday (27th August).
The competition, launched over the May Bank Holiday, invited automotive students, refinishing apprentices and industry newcomers from across the UK to design their own workshop hardware using digital configuration tools.
Dave Reece, School of Thought Automotive co-founder, has said:
“We are incredibly proud to present Abi with this magnificent, one-of-a-kind SATA spray gun.
“Her design perfectly captured the innovation, style, and technical precision that defines the modern refinishing industry.”
Derrick Rudd, CEO of Mipa Paints, has added:
“Seeing the passion and high calibre of work from apprentices like Abi reinforces why we invest so heavily in training infrastructure.
“It is an honour to celebrate her achievement alongside our industry partners.”
