[Allan]

Anyone heard of this? I had some collision work done on my car a couple weeks ago and the guy who painted my car told me they used waterborne paint, he said that next year it will be law that any paint sold must meet the VOC regulations(volatile organic compound).



http://www.voccompliance.com/faq.asp

 

[Shep]

It has been used over here in the UK for quite a few years in Auto Repair and maybe even law here now.They are still working on a Water based clear coat because at the moment they still use Poly or Acrylic 2K/Twin pack as they can't make the water based robust enough.

One of my best M8s is a Manager at a top re-paint shop in my City so he keeps my up-to-date with all the new paint technology so I'll ask him some time.

 

[marshallf3]

It all depends on the chemistry involved. Water is just the solvent carrier which evaporates off as the paint (theoretically) cross-links and bonds to the surface and itself.



However, as with a lot of things, they'll have to pry the current urethane paints out of my dead hands, properly mixed and applied it's tough as nails - especially if you can afford to buy DuPont Imron aircraft paint. Nason is their basic line and I'm a big fan of it due to its ease of use and durability.



In all honesty California has ruined the world in many ways with their pollution initiatives. They will push to get things outlawed that when in use by humans only contributes about 0.0000001% more of a substance to the environment than is already naturally being released from some other source.



It's just like this global warming crap. While we're an extremely mild contributor it was going to happen anyway as we enter a heating period that will be followed by years of cooling. The climate changes due to nature and time, it's also far more complex than any scientist can explain due to the sheer number of variables involved and the interaction of same. I'm not saying we couldn't stand some improvement in air quality but creating a media stir over a couple of ice cubes falling off of the North Pole while the South Pole is colder than it has been in ages is going too far.



It won't be long until they try to force us all into driving 100 mpg cars which, by the laws of physics, means they'll have to weigh half of what's out there now. Gone will be the days when the motorcycle driver gets the short end of the stick in wreck.

 

[Allan]

They are still working on a Water based clear coat because at the moment they still use Poly or Acrylic 2K/Twin pack as they can't make the water based robust enough.

According to this section from the page I linked to they are talking about the clear too.



What coatings are affected by the regulations?

Environment Canada’s 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.



But then if you read on it talks mostly about base coats.

However, as with a lot of things, they'll have to pry the current urethane paints out of my dead hands, properly mixed and applied it's tough as nails - especially if you can afford to buy DuPont Imron aircraft paint. Nason is their basic line and I'm a big fan of it due to its ease of use and durability.

Apparently you shouldn't paint with this stuff on a humid day, unless you are in a climate controlled area, and it has to be blown dry.

Sounds like a pain in the butt.



Maybe it won't be so bad,,but like everything else, I guess change is usually met with a certain amount of skepticism

 

[Billrod]

It is the same with the spray guns. It is illegal in many states to use anything but a HVLP spray gun.

 

[Billrod]

I went to a Dupont presentation on DuPont Imron aircraft paint and it was all about safety in using the product. Apparently it is critical that you protect your ears as the fumes will effect your ear drums and cause a loss of hearing. If I remember correctly it makes the drum go limp to the point that you cannot hear. The damage is permanent. They also want you to wear protective clothing and a breathing apparatus that brings breathing air from the outside through a long hose. It sounds like a lot of expensive but necessary gear. BillRod

 

[marshallf3]

It's dangerous stuff, no doubt, but mainly from the catalyst used. These paints actually do set with humidty as well as the catalyst, it will set up without a catalyst but it won't be as durable.



Don't worry about me using Imron, the costs involved are prohibitive.