Auto Painting Goes Green

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When Adam D. Haddad says painting at his Worcester auto body shop has gone green, it does not mean cars are done in the 40 shades of Ireland. It means Accurate Collision at 1051 Millbury St. has switched to water-based paints from petroleum-based paints, making it one of the first shops in Massachusetts to be in compliance with new federal laws to cut down on air pollutants from auto painting and stripping.

When Adam D. Haddad says painting at his Worcester auto body shop has gone green, it does not mean cars are done in the 40 shades of Ireland.

It means Accurate Collision at 1051 Millbury St. has switched to water-based paints from petroleum-based paints, making it one of the first shops in Massachusetts to be in compliance with new federal laws to cut down on air pollutants from auto painting and stripping.

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"Paint is dangerous," Mr. Haddad said. "This is just better for the environment and better for the health of my employees - and it's what consumers want."  

 With a $150,000 investment in a spray-paint booth called the Nova Verta, along with a full supply of Environbase water-based paint, and a system to remove dust from repair bays and painting booths, Mr. Haddad is well ahead of the January 2011 deadline set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

It shows. The shop does not have grease stains on the floor and is noticeably lacking in loud noise from air compressors. The air seems free of dust.

Less electricity is used with the new technology, Mr. Haddad said, but most of all he is pleased because his employees feel healthier and happier.

Emerging from finishing up a car in the paint booth, Julio Zuniga said his daily headaches have disappeared since he started working with the new paints about four months ago.

"It's easier to use. It's much cleaner and does not dry the skin out," he said extending a palm that did not look or feel like the usual auto mechanic's rough and grimy skin.

Jose M. Padin, an Accurate Collision auto technician, agreed. The new system, he said, has made a big difference in his work environment and his health.

"It's so much cleaner. Before, I always had coughing and breathing irritations. When you painted with the old stuff, you almost got a head rush. This is better, it hardly has any smell," he said.

Mr. Haddad said using the new paint, which is cleaned off with soap and water - he actually stuck the tip of a paintbrush in his mouth - eliminates the need to add thinners or other solvents, and the paint has no hazardous waste products.

It is pretty much applied the same way as the old system, but with modified spray-paint guns.

"It's not a big change, but it's a slightly different process. And it's an expensive change," he said.

Because 85 percent of U.S.-made cars are manufactured with water-based paints, the new technology actually makes for a better match on damaged vehicles, he said.

Full Story: http://www.telegram.com/article/20080804/NEWS/8080
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