Is Water Based Automotive Paint Safer To Spray

With new rules regulating the apply of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in spray paint at present in effect, auto-trunk store operators are under pressure to chop-chop convert from traditional solvent-based paints to newer h2o-based ones. While this is a bit of a hardship on many paint shop operations, there are a number of advantages the new coatings offering that should help modest businesses justify the cost of making the transition.

In the United States, the federal rules governing the use of VOCs autumn under the umbrella of the Environmental Protection Agency'due south National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) guidelines (with individual states maintaining similar provisions). The EPA states that the health risks of VOCs include: "Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous organization. Some organics tin can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans."

For those working in the repair and refinishing industry, those words should be fair alarm to make the switch to waterborne automobile paints. Still, if farther rationalization is needed, consider that the automotive industry releases nigh 210,000 tons of ozone-producing solvents into the atmosphere each yr, with the manufacture and application of paint accounting for most 32% of all VOC emissions.

Set up-to-use conventional base-coats accept a VOC solvent content of around 84% (and xvi% solids), whereas a typical waterborne base-coat is composed of about 70% water (and 20% solids) and 10% solvent. So the reduction in solvent use in making the switchover is substantial.

The new federal and country regulations, essentially, hateful that American paint shops volition need to utilise waterborne paints in order to comply . Although many operators are reluctant to modify, it may be a adept affair for the industry for several reasons. The benefits of the regulations are:

Better for the environs: Less toxic paint is important, elevated concentrations can persist in the air long subsequently painting or repainting is completed, according to the EPA.
Healthier for your staff: Waterborne paint reduces the emission of VOCs, improving air quality and supposedly reducing the health chance to all involved (come across Study: Exposure to Solvent Fumes Can Impair Cerebral Ability Long After Retirement ).
New and improved products: Transition to waterborne paint has prompted paint companies to develop new products.
Less clearcoat needed: For multiple hues and striping,waterborne paint has an advantage when it comes to spraying due to a thinner awarding. Information technology takes less clearcoat to even out the surface for the different layers.
Cleaner/brighter than solvent-based paint: In painting with waterborne paint, moisture pigment tends to have a dissimilar hue from the true color. Once it dries, the waterborne pigment will take on the truthful hue. Interestingly, when it comes to the bodily color with waterborne, it comes out cleaner/brighter than a solvent-based pigment.

And then, if yous're because making the switch, the investment in new equipment you will need is minimal.

Y'all'll need a stainless steel paint gun, to avert rust and good air catamenia. To cut down on drying fourth dimension, it's important to have a large book of clean air to heighten drying. (For a detailed look at how to go well-nigh making the jump to waterborne paint, check out: A Compressed Air Checklist for Waterborne Paint Conversion .) And you can't do ameliorate than selecting a Mattei compressor for use in your new waterborne-paint awarding facility.

To learn more about choosing a Mattei compressor visit our site, or contact us, here.

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