We take care of our customer needs to the fullest, and no tiny detail is overlooked. At Dabler Auto Body, we have a commitment to reduce our pollution, recycle, and conserve energy where appropriate. Part of that commitment has been to use waterborne paints from BASF, as opposed to solvent based paints. BASF notes by using waterborne paint, base coat solvent emissions are reduced by approximately 90 percent with the same high-quality finish as solvent based paints. Ninety percent is a huge factor!
Waterborne paints were developed because of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in solvent-based paint. State and federal regulators have determined that VOCs are harmful to the environment. In California, regulations requiring low-VOC technologies have been in place for years, and more and more states are adopting those policies. The federal government has taken notice too.
Federal rules governing the use of VOCs fall under the umbrella of the Environmental Protection Agency’s “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants.” The EPA says VOCs cause “cancer, eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, loss of coordination, nausea, and damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system.” Solvent-based paint has a VOC content of around 84 percent. Waterborne paint is about 10 percent solvent.
Here are some other environmental factors that are affected by the use of waterborne paints.
- The paints are easily transported and stored, using less space and the need to protect from freezing.
- Faster application times are realized, so more efficiency in total.
- The drying time stays the same.
- No extra chemicals or additives are needed for the process, reducing waste and extra pollution.
Also, just like all our work at Dabler, our paint comes with a lifetime warranty.