Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Current Events/News: Advantage Online: 2008 Archives
VEHICLE REFINISHING, FINDING NEW WAYS TO SHINE: PART TWO Vehicle refinishing has evolved over the years. Today, vehicle makers are using refinishing products that not only improve finish longevity, but also have less of an environmental impact. In part one of this article, we discussed some of the new types of clearcoat that are used during vehicle manufacturing. Part two will focus on the increased use of waterborne basecoats, not only by vehicle makers, but also by collision repair facilities. Some of the information found in this Advantage Online article will be covered in the newly updated Technical information you will gain in this program includes:
The content found in this training program would benefit:
Waterborne Basecoat Technology The use of waterborne basecoat has grown in an attempt to decrease the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) being released into the atmosphere during the refinishing process. The EPA defines a VOC as any organic compound that evaporates readily into the atmosphere. Traditional basecoats are a solvent-based product. Solvent acts as both a reducer and a carrier so the basecoat can be applied to a vehicle body via spray gun. The VOCs in refinishing products are released into the environment when the solvents in the product evaporate during the curing process. EPA studies have shown that these VOCs contribute to depletion of the ozone layer, photochemical smog production, and adverse health effects. Several vehicle makers have begun using waterborne basecoats during manufacturing. Instead of using petroleum-based resins and solvents in the basecoat, water-soluble solutions and resins are used. Specific water-based reducers are used to act as a carrier for the waterborne basecoats. Waterborne basecoats still contain some solvents, although the solid content is higher than a solvent-based product. This results in less VOCs emitted during the spray application process. VOC Regulations and HAP Reduction Several geographic locations across North America have been regulated for product and equipment type when refinishing vehicles since 1998. These geographic locations of VOC-regulated areas are primarily on the west and east coast and around the Great Lakes. The National Rule of 1998 is aimed at reducing VOCs by regulating the amount of solvents that are used to atomize the products, and requiring a higher amount of solids. Currently, the state of California is moving forward with low VOC compliance. Part of the transition is using up all materials with excessive VOC content by the end of 2008. Switching over to waterborne basecoat for refinishing procedures is also part of the transition. Other regions that are looking at similar VOC regulations include Canada, Northeastern United States, and the Great Lakes region. More information on VOC regulations for these areas can be found on the following web sites: www.calepa.ca.gov - California www.ec.gc.ca - Canada www.otcair.org - Northeastern United States www.ladco.org - Great Lakes Region Along with VOCs, efforts to reduce all hazardous airborne pollutants generated by collision repair facilities are currently being implemented. The I-CAR Hazardous Airborne Pollutant Reduction(HAP01) Online Training program, which will be released later this summer, is designed to provide information on how to reduce the amount of hazardous airborne pollutants that are emitted in a collision repair facility.Gearing Up for Waterborne Switching from solvent-borne basecoat to waterborne basecoat may involve both technical training and equipment upgrading. Paint makers that offer waterborne basecoats may offer specific training programs, which may be part of the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance. The newly updated I-CAR Color Theory, Application, Tinting, And Blending (REF03) Live training program also contains general information on applying waterborne basecoats. Equipment upgrades will typically include a dedicated spray gun. Using the same spray gun for both solvent-borne and waterborne materials is possible with extensive cleaning in between uses. If solvent-borne basecoat and waterborne basecoat intermix, the results are typically a sludge-type material, which becomes extremely hard and difficult to remove, especially from inner spray gun parts. Spray gun cleaning equipment must also be specific for waterborne products. Waterborne cleaning material is not conventional thinner, but more of an alcohol-based product (see Figure 1). The waste material must be collected and disposed of properly, similar to solvent-borne products (see Figure 2). Air filtration, such as incoming spraybooth air and compressed air used for spraying must be extremely clean, as waterborne basecoats are more susceptible to contamination. One paint maker recommends intake air filters capable of filtering particles down to 10 microns in size, while compressed air for spraying initially should be filtered to 5 microns, and then a second filter down to 0.01 microns, along with trapping oil and water vapor. The other major equipment upgrade will be some way to increase air movement over the painted surfaces. Waterborne basecoat takes longer to flash when compared to solvent-borne basecoat. While it will flash from conventional spraybooth airflow, the extra time needed may decrease efficiency. Items such as hand-held air multipliers (see Figure 3), spraybooth-mounted ceiling fans, or spraybooth-mounted air multipliers are all available from different product makers to help collision repair facilities gear up for transitioning to using waterborne basecoats. Conclusion With waterborne basecoat being used by more and more vehicle makers, it is likely that most collision repair facilities will evolve with them, as was the case when solvent-borne basecoat/clearcoat finishes began being used. Some facilities that have switched to waterborne admit there was a learning curve, but now prefer waterborne basecoat. Not only does using waterborne basecoat duplicate what the vehicle maker used originally, it also reduces the amount of VOCs being emitted into our atmosphere, which is beneficial to everyone and everything. The newly updated I-CAR Color Theory, Application, Tinting, And Blending (REF03) Live training program contains information on advances in refinishing technologies, such as new technologies being used at the vehicle maker level, waterborne basecoats, and UV-cure products for repair facilities. Refinish technicians, and collision repair and insurance estimators don’t want to miss this class - Look for the program in your area, using the quick class search feature on the I-CAR web site homepage at www.i-car.com. For comments or suggestions on the Advantage Online, please contact I-CAR Senior Instructional Designer Bob Jansen at bob.jansen@i-car.com. |
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Page Last Revised: Monday, July 21, 2008 |
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