PPG - EnviroBase Waterbase Paint Clinic, August 14, 2009.
As most of you know, California and several other states are
mandating much stricter regulation of VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds)
in paint. For those of you that have forgotten, a "Volatile Organic
Compound" can mean any organic compound (most chemical compounds containing
carbon) that is volatile (evaporating or vaporizing readily under normal
conditions). For the paint industry, that means the solvents that are used
to dissolve and hold pigment and paint compounds in suspension until they
are sprayed onto a surface. As paint dries, these chemical compounds (thinners
and solvents), evaporate into the air and cause environmentalists to write
nasty letters to congressmen and senators lest they accidently get a whiff
and develop a brain tumor. All kidding aside though, many of these chemicals
are toxic to one degree or another and we should try to keep them out of
the air we breathe.
The problem for paint manufacturers has been to make a paint
that you can apply to a car surface that is durable and will last. Latex
paint, which is used by most of us to paint our houses, is water-based.
Unfortunately, it doesn't work so well for painting cars. Until now.
"EnviroBase" is PPG's latest eco-friendly, low VOC
paint designed to meet the new standards adopted by some counties in California
and elsewhere. It is a water-based automotive paint. In order to get the
word out and teach painters how to use it, PPG is conducting clinics and
seminars. This EnviroBase clinic was sponsored by Meza Automotive Paint
of Escondido, and hosted at the Hot Rods & Custom Stuff paint facility.
Those attending the clinic learned about the differences between
EnviroBase and the paints they are accustomed to using, new mixing and application
techniques, required equipment and its maintenance, safety, and clean-up
requirements. Paul Stoll, a veteran automotive painter, covered all aspects
of the new paint, answered questions from those attending and then demonstrated
how to use it in our paint booth.
According to Mr. Stoll there are several advantages to the
new paint that will make up for any inconvenience caused by switching to
and learning a new product. For one thing, it is easier to mix (no mixing
machine required), easy to apply, easy to blend, has a fast process time,
a long 4-year shelf life (if un-opened), and you don't have all the nasty
fumes to contend with (you still have to wear your respirator though).
There are a few catches though. To achieve the desired results
and high productivity waterborne paint is capable of, you will probably
need to upgrade or retrofit your paint booth. Clean dry air is very important
so a good filtration system is required. It may also be necessary to have
additional air movement to increase the feet per minute (FPM) of air traveling
accross the paint, which can be achieved by a special hand-held air gun
(as was used in this demonstration), or additional air blowers mounted in
the corners of the booth. These requirements should not pose a problem for
most though.
There has been a lot of worry about these new regulations
and how they would affect the auto body and paint business. PPG's new EnviroBase
paint will make compliance a lot less painfull than many have imagined it
would be, which will be a relief to many. What costs there will be to switch
to the new system should be offset by the production benefits of the new
paint formulation.
For more information on how to attend a PPG clinic or seminar
please visit Meza's website.
Meza Automotive Paint
Hot Rods & Custom Stuff, 2324 Auto Park Way, Escondido, CA.,
1-800-HOT-ROD-5.
Hot Rods & Custom Stuff - builds, restores, paints, services
and sells parts for classic autos, cars, trucks and street rods.