Auto-paint, and solvent proposed law

[PlayDoh]

As a fishermen I think its awesome, yet I have to paint my truck soon and I'm sure the proposal will increase the costs of painting, if only temporarily.

Heres the details. Basicly its a ban on VOC's (Volitile Organic Compounds) which are solvents. The Ban is on the import and not focused on the paint industry or painters, yet.

About VOC Regulations

What are the proposed low-VOC regulations and how will they affect the collision repair industry?
The proposed regulations would limit the amount of volatile organic compound (VOC) emitted by automotive refinish coatings and surface cleaners. Paint manufacturers are offering VOC-compliant products, including waterborne basecoats. The most significant affect on the collision repair industry will be the need to switch to waterborne basecoat in order to meet the new VOC limits. Environment Canada’s proposed regulations prohibit the sale and import of non-compliant products, rather than prohibiting shops from using these products.

Why are regulations concerning automotive refinish coatings being developed?
The Government of Canada is working to reduce emissions of air pollutants. The coatings and surface cleaners used in auto refinish operations contain solvents which evaporate to the atmosphere during surface preparation, coating application and clean-up. These solvents contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are precursors to particulate matter and ozone, the key ingredients of smog. It is estimated that over 5 kilotonnes of VOCs are emitted each year from coatings and surface cleaners used in automotive refinishing operations in Canada. The proposed regulations would reduce the annual VOC emissions by approximately 40%.

What coatings are affected by the proposed regulations?
Environment Canada’s proposed VOC-limit regulations apply to automotive refinish coatings and surface cleaners - such as primers, clear coats, basecoats, adhesion promoters - which are applied to motor vehicles and mobile equipment (including cars, motorcycles, trucks, truck trailers, street cleaners, and farm equipment) to refinish or decorate the surface.

What is being considered for the proposed regulations?
The intent of the proposed regulations would be to set mandatory limits on the VOC content of automotive refinish coatings. The regulations would affect the manufacture, import, and sale of these products in Canada. The regulations would take effect January 1, 2010.

Click here for a table of categories and their limits.

The proposed regulations would also set a VOC content limit of 50 grams per litre (as mixed) for surface cleaners, materials used for surface preparation prior to coating. The proposed regulations would not apply to coatings and surface cleaners: sold in small containers (less than 0.5 fluid ounces); sold in non-refillable aerosol containers; and those applied during the original manufacture of motor vehicles, mobile equipment, or associated parts and components.

How can a collision repair shop prepare for the regulations?
Collision repair shops can discuss with their product supplier whether different products would be offered to comply with the proposed regulations, and whether any training or other preparations may be necessary. The intent of the proposed regulations would be to allow collision repair shops to use-up any remaining non-compliant product, including colour tints, purchased prior to the effective date of the Regulations. However, shops would not be allowed to purchase or import additional non-compliant product after the effective date.

How will Environment Canada enforce this legislation?
The proposed legislation is a prohibition of sale. That means paint companies and jobbers will not be able to sell any non-compliant product past the proposed date of Jan. 1, 2010, and it will also be illegal for a shop to import any non-compliant material. Canada Customs will audit any importation of coatings. There are federal auditors in place, there have been enforcement agreements with provincial government agencies, plus there will be audits at the shop level and non-compliance will result in heavy fines.
About Waterborne Basecoat

Will all bodyshops have to switch to waterborne basecoat?
Yes. Current formulations of solvent-borne basecoat do not meet the VOC-emission limits of the proposed regulations, and will no longer be available for sale following the implementation date of Jan. 1, 2010. Based on current commercially-available technology, waterborne basecoats will be required to meet the 3.5 lb/gallon VOC limit for basecoat.

What is the difference between waterborne and solvent-borne basecoat?
Waterborne coating material is suspended in the water carrier, instead of having the coating material dissolved in solvents. To envision this, imagine an oil and vinegar salad dressing, and how the oil becomes suspended in the vinegar when mixed. After the coating is applied, the water evaporates, leaving the coating materials.


This diagram shows what is contained in waterborne versus conventional solvent-borne basecoat: What’s inside?

Typical waterborne basecoat

Solvent content 10 %
Solids content 20 %
Water content 70 %

Conventional base coat

Solvent content 84 %
Solids content 16 %



With regards to pricing, what is the price differential between waterborne paint and solvent-borne paint?
In general terms the cost structure for refinish materials will likely change. Speak to your paint supplier to assess the effect this change will have on your business.

What is the percentage of solvent content in waterborne paint products compared with existing solvent-borne paints?
Comparing waterborne basecoat with similar solvent-borne products, the waterborne product can have anywhere from 55% to 90% less solvent.

Using Waterborne Paint

What are the main concerns painters have with regards to color matching?
The main concern with regard to color matching is the difference in the appearance of waterborne products in the can and after application. In the can, waterborne coatings may appear milky and are not representative of the final dry coating. It is advisable to use a check panel for color matching.

How does the productivity of waterborne basecoats compare with solventborne basecoats?
Waterborne basecoat can meet or exceed the productivity of solventborne basecoat in a well-equipped shop. Most waterborne basecoat colours hide in 1.5 coats with no flash between coats, providing a distinct productivity advantage compared with poor hiding solventborne colors. For good hiding solventborne colors, the waterborne basecoat is equal or slightly faster for cycle time. Air blowing systems (booth or portable) will be key to achieve the productivity advantages of waterborne basecoat. The poorly equipped shop will be at the mercy of the ambient temperature and humidity for the region and the weather conditions of a given day.

Will shops need any new or special equipment to spray waterborne basecoats?
A lot will depend on the equipment that the shop already has in place. With waterborne technology, it is beneficial to have some degree of climate control (temperature and humidity). A down-draft booth with air make-up is desirable. Assuming the shop is well equipped, some small upgrades will be useful to take full advantage of waterborne basecoat characteristics. For a down-draft booth, air blowers that create turbulent air over the wet basecoat give a great productivity boost. Several options exist that can be integrated into the spray, dry and cure cycle of a down-draft booth. Shops can also benefit from portable blower systems. These portable blowers offer the same drying productivity noted above and are fairly low cost. Their limitations are the size of the repair and the ability to create the turbulent air over the entire repair surface. The incentive for these blowers is the reduction of dry times to about 15 minutes from 30 to 60 minutes depending on film thickness and climate. The blowers will be essential in conditions of very high humidity. Additional equipment will include dedicated waterborne basecoat spray guns and gun washer, separate waste streams and waste removal. Plastic or lined cans, plastic paint sticks and nylon mesh strainers will be needed. Higher quality tape and masking supplies as well as improved house keeping in the paint department will also be useful. Recommended capabilities for a well-equipped shop include: air flow greater than 11,000 ft 3/min; minimum air speed of 0.6 ft/s; uniform vertical air flow; efficient/sufficient heating system; clean and sufficient process air for spray guns and air blowers.

How does the durability of waterborne basecoats compare with solventborne basecoats?
Waterborne basecoats are already used at more than 75% of OEM plants. The majority of shops in Europe are using waterborne basecoats without problems – even those shops operating in countries with a similar climate to Canada.

Are waterborne basecoats compatible with solventborne undercoats and clear coats?
Yes, waterborne basecoat is compatible with solventborne undercoats (including UVA cured primers and sealers) and clear coats.

Are waterborne basecoats safer than solventborne basecoats?
Although waterborne basecoats are water based and emit fewer solvents than a traditional solventborne basecoats, they still contain dangerous chemicals that can be harmful if proper personal protection is not used when spraying or handling. It is suggested that shop personnel treating waterborne basecoat with the same respect as they would solventborne basecoat.

Are waterborne basecoat products susceptible to freezing?
Yes, since some waterborne basecoat products are water based, they can freeze if exposed to freezing temperatures, even if for a short period of time. Some waterborne products contain no water until they are prepared, and these are not susceptible to freezing. Temperature controlled storage rooms and insulated delivery vehicles may be necessary to ensure the quality of the products.

[Dick284]

I know of two members on here who are in the autobody industry. I'm sure they will in time explain what these regulations mean.

[Bushrat]

Been using wateborne bassecoat in our collision shop for over a year, we're one of the first shops in western Canada to switch.

This is just another green scam.

Basecoat is just a small part of the material that goes on a vehicle when painted. The largest percentage of material involved in painting a car are still solvent borne i.e. primers, sealers and clearcoat. The actual color is just one thin layer of color sandwiched between these layers of solvent. Used to be we could recycle the waste of all these products. Waterbase automotive paint cannot yet be recycled cost effectively so as iot stands now now all waterborne basecoat waste/leftovers(the color portion only of your paintjob) now gets dumped into a landfill instead of recycled.

In a proper auto painting facility which is up to standard the solvents and overspray are filtered out and captured and not exhausted into the atmosphere in the first place so its not much of a factor in air quality.

All this is is a move by gov't and paint manufactures to force users of their products to invest heavily in new paint lines at higher cost, new equipment to accomidate the use of this material and does very little to nothing for the environent and trades a product that was recyclable to one thats now stored in landfills to leach out chemicals for years to come. I guess that it gives some folks a good feeling but it is essentially another fraud perpetrated in the name of the environment to make people rich. Automotive waterbase is much harder on the person using it, the chemicals in the paint are the same be it waterbase or solvent base, the difference being that the human body will absorbe the chemicals in the waterbase more easily as the body does not resist the water carrying these chemicals as well as it resists solvent carried chemicals.

[PlayDoh]

What coatings are affected by the proposed regulations?
Environment Canada’s proposed VOC-limit regulations apply to automotive refinish coatings and surface cleaners - such as primers, clear coats, basecoats, adhesion promoters

Your shop would have to start using waterborne everything in 2010 if it passes (unless I'm mistaken). Maybe introducing waterborne Base-coat, was a way of easing the transition. I'm sure its not practical to completly convert a shop until its mandated. Assuming it will pass, which it seems lots of people are confident it will.

You might want to start stock-pilling some paint. lol

[Bushrat]

Originally Posted by PlayDoh

Your shop would have to start using waterborne everything in 2010 if it passes (unless I'm mistaken). Maybe introducing waterborne Base-coat, was a way of easing the transition. I'm sure its not practical to completly convert a shop until its mandated. Assuming it will pass, which it seems lots of people are confident it will.

You might want to start stock-pilling some paint. lol

I do believe it's already passed into law. We will be the first to change as we did when they came out with the waterborne basecoat. At our shop we want to be part of the pollution solution, not part of the problem and we do everything we can to run a clean shop and we have received environmental awards. Problem is the manufacturers have not yet developed reliable waterborne primers, sealers, or clearcoats for the aftermarket or we would have already switched. Dupont, BASF, PPG, Standox, Glasurit nor any other manufacturer that supplies North America have any in the marketplace as of yet and our supplier reps say they will not likely be available anywhere near the 2010 deadline. Our gov't is so out of touch that they don't realize we have no real automotive paint manufacturers in Canada and those in Europe and the USA don't care about meeting Canadian environmental legislation. dosen't really matter, this 2010 legislation only calls for basecoats to meet these standards by 2010 and there is no timeline yet for etch coatings, primers, sealers, clearcoats, adhesive promoters, flex agents, surface cleaners, gunwashing solvents etc, etc..

So if you read the VOC regulations you posted it sounds like with this legislation that it would remove 40% of them from the atmosphere. Sounds good eh? It's cleverly worded, read it again. It only legislates 40% less VOC's in the basecoat portion only. Basecoat makes up about 25% of a paint job, the solvents, sealer, primer and clearcoat and other additives are still solvent based and make up the other 75% with no cuts in VOC's. Now, lets say you went and measured how much VOC's a body shop produced in a day doing full solvent paint jobs and you would find it is quite a bit less than what a diesel pickup idling in the bodyshop parking lot would produce in the same amount of time. So what this tells me is that this is another attempt by gov't to sound like they are doing something really great but in effect it has so little effect that when you measure the smog in a Canadian city the difference will be undectable, not 40% less like the regulation leads many to believe, you have to read between the lines. This will cost the industry billions of dollars which will ultimately be payed for by the consumer, thats not very good value for your dollar and you will pay for it when you pay your increased automobile insurance policy and increased labour rates at the bodyshop door.

[sdeviation]

I thought this was to be done by January 2009,but the suppliers went to the government and asked for extension cause there was no way of making the transition in every shop by this deadline so it was extented to 2010.

The middle substrate or coating (color phase) will be affected.

waterborne has been around a long time and low voc clear and primers have also been around a long time.

i have not switched over yet and will probably be one of the last shops to do so.Main concern to me will probably be air circulation,cause u r trying to dry water at a faster rate.

Change is inevitable, so if u were gonna switch ,be best to do it soon as possible so u can iron out all the problems if any arise .

[Bushrat]

Originally Posted by sdeviation

waterborne has been around a long time and low voc clear and primers have also been around a long time.

i have not switched over yet and will probably be one of the last shops to do so.Main concern to me will probably be air circulation,cause u r trying to dry water at a faster rate.
.

Hi SD hows it going over there? I remember using waterborne primer in the 80's, had a few problems with it, then it kinda disappeared. clearcoat water technology has been around but only used by the auto manufacturers. I don't know of any body making a waterborne clear for aftermarket users like us.

You can make the switch even if you only have a crossflow booth if you get the portable blowers, they work well, are not that expensive and it should dry as fast as solvent with the increased air flow as long as you keep booth temps above 20 celcius, though you might have extended drytimes on humid days if your booth dosen't have heat. A lot of guys are having problems in high humidity areas like the west coast with getting the stuff to dry. luckily here in alberta the air is pretty dry most of the time. The basecoat must be absolutely dry before the clear goes on or it may turn milky and won't bond with the base if the water has to try to evaporate out through the clear top coat, you can't push it like you can solvent base. You can use a conventional solvent spray gun as long as you have the correct diameter tips, needle and air cap for proper atomization, dry out the internals after each use to prevent them from corroding, you should use a reusable sealable plastic cup as you cannot store waterborne in tin paint cans as they will corrode quickly and discolor the paint. I would reccomend the 3 day course at the Dupont training center in vancouver, also went to the Glasurit one day course in Edmonton that Carlsons puts on. We had good luck with the dupont waterborne, I think its the best of the waterbase systems, used it for a year or so but the boss who likes to chase the dollar cut a deal with Carlsons a few months ago and we switched to Glasurit waterborne, mistake, it is not near as user friendly as Dupont. Dupont's product is new technology and the lowest VOC waterbase of them all. Glasurit waterbase has been around in the european shops for 20 years or so but they haven't updated it in those 20 years, Dupont is, well, 20 years ahead of the europeans.

[LongDraw]

I believe my new Toyota has waterbase paint and it scratches if you look at one spot too long.

[PlayDoh]

Originally Posted by LongDraw

I believe my new Toyota has waterbase paint and it scratches if you look at one spot too long.

LMAO. I'm pretty sure every newer car/truck has waterborne paint now & I don't think their anymore prone to scratches then solvent based. Its the clear-coat that will scratch first and protects the paint.

Thanks for the details guys, I'm glad to see the Legislative process is 20 years behind the technology, and as usual, wasting our money.

Its funny how spray cans wont be effected by the law, and their the biggest culprit of paint/solvent pollution, I'm sure. I'm also sure that most bodyshops do plenty to contain pollutants, but I've worked in manufacturing shops where they just blow everything outside.

I would think mandates and pollution prevention programs would be more effective if they focused on everyone who paints, excluding bodyshops. I bet if you made a pie-chart of all the air-borne pollutants in our skies, you wouldn't even see the sliver from the autobody refinishing shops.

However its great to see that industries are making the effort to reduce pollution, even if its effects are minimal. On the scale of the lifetime of a bodyshop, the change is certianly a waste of $, but in 50 years the minor reduction will be signifigant.

It certianly doesn't turn paint in to a harmless product, but any step towards less toxic is a worthy one.

BTW, can any of you painters tell me where a good place to buy paint in Calgary? I'll be attempting my first "paint job" soon, and I need 2 gallons of primer, base, and clear, each (so I've been advised). I'm painting a 96 Toyota Tacoma, factory color "Toyota 196 Pewter Metallic". I wanna do a kick-ass job, and wet sand it to perfection, or learn I don't have the skills to do more then primer. lol