The Clappison's Corners business converted its paint operation to an environmentally friendly waterborne basecoat from DuPont Refinish four months ago. "Our main focus in converting (from lacquer/acrylic paint to water-based paint) was about the environment," Max DiFelice, general manager of Waterdown Collision, said last week. "We wanted to jump on the program right away and eliminate future exposure to chemicals in the environment."

Waterborne paint dramatically reduces the amount of solvent and volatile organic compounds (VOC) that would otherwise evaporate into the air while a vehicle is being painted. Compared to conventional solvent-borne basecoat systems, the waterborne variety reduces solvent emission by 90 per cent.

As part of the Canadian government's Climate Change Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 18 per cent by 2010, the government will bring forward a regulation to limit VOC content in automotive refinish coatings in Canada by January 1 of next year. Waterdown Collision voluntarily converted early because its owners wanted to show environmental leadership in the industry and improve the work environment for its employees.

DiFelice said he was sensitive to his painters being exposed to overspray and vapours from traditional paints because it could affect their nervous systems if they weren't properly protected. In the past, workers needed to wear an oxygen-supplied air mask while spray-painting vehicles. While they continue to wear the masks as a personal preference, "regulations no longer require this extreme protection" now that water-based paints are being used, DiFelice explained.

Conversion costs are considerable but "it's not about cost-saving and it's not about investment," DiFelice stressed. Environmental protection was the main impetus for conversion. "We will hopefully set a precedent for all collision centres to look at conversion and maybe convince them to follow suit," he added.

Converting to a water-based paint in the collision repair business can be equated to a homeowner choosing to use a latex paint rather than an oil-based one that requires turpentine as a thinner, DiFelice said. Reducing the amount of chemicals that go into the air will have a significant impact on the environment.

Before adopting the water-based paint technology, Waterdown Collision used an average of 40 gallons of paint thinner a month to wash its paint guns and containers. Now it uses just six gallons monthly to wash paint guns used to apply a clear coat over the water-based coat.

The company has installed its own water filtration system to make the deionized water that is added to the paint. The special water is also used to wash paint guns and equipment. Waterdown Collision also invested in a machine to recycle paint thinners. In addition, new drying blowers were installed because it takes longer for the water-based paint to dry than the traditional paint.

While it will take years to recover the costs of conversion, there have been some cost-savings associated with the move. Disposal of water-based paint is much less costly and only one coat of colour is required instead of the three coats that were needed when lacquer-based paints were used.

Employees were required to take training courses to be certified in applying the waterborne basecoats. "There was a bit of a learning curve," DiFelice acknowledged.

The water-based paint has all the same qualities as previous paints on the market and is backed by a lifetime warranty.

While water-based paints are relatively new technology in Canada, they have been in full production in Europe for three years and are used at over 70 per cent of the automotive assembly plants worldwide. "Toyota, Ford, GM, Chrysler and Honda manufacturers all use water-based systems" and have been doing so for the past two years, DiFelice noted.

"All in all, it's definitely been a move in the right direction," he said of the conversion. The new painting process is also a welcome change for car owners who want to do their part in protecting the environment.