In this article, read about eco-friendly collision repair, such as water-based paints and sustainable materials.
In recent years, the impact of human activities on the environment has become increasingly clear. As a result, eco-friendly autobody repair shops have begun to explore green initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. One of the most popular eco-friendly approaches is the use of water-based paints instead of traditional solvent-based ones.
Traditional Auto Paints
Traditional solvent-based autobody paint consists of a combination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvents as the main components. VOCs are gases emitted into the air that can cause air pollution, smog, and health problems in humans and animals. Solvents are harmful chemicals that can dissolve other substances to form solutions. This type of autobody paint has been linked to a variety of health and environmental concerns due to the toxicity of VOCs and solvents.
The waste produced by the paint booth in an autobody shop when solvent-based paints are used must be disposed of in a responsible way at an extra expense, but many shops still choose to use them because of the lower cost to set up and mix the paints. This waste product is extremely toxic to the environment.
Water-Based Auto Paints
In contrast, water-based paints contain fewer VOCs and solvents, making them a more eco-friendly alternative. The main components of waterborne paints are typically acrylic or polyurethane polymers, which are not volatile, meaning they emit very little air pollution. This type of paint is not only safer for the environment, but it is also easier to apply and provides a longer-lasting finish.
Water-based paints are made with a combination of water, latex, and acrylic resins. They are not only safer for the environment but also give off less of an odor than solvent-based paints. Additionally, they create a higher quality finish that is more resistant to fading and chipping.
Other advantages of green painting methods include:
– Better air quality for the repair technicians and environment
– Reduce hazardous waste amounts
– Lower costs because no additives or hardeners are required
Source: How Are Auto Body Repair Shops Going Green? – Auto Body Shop Blog – Carwise.com
Other Green Measures in the Eco-Friendly Collision Repair Shop
In addition to water-based paints, eco-friendly collision repair shops are also beginning to use sustainable materials in their repairs. Natural fibers such as jute or cotton can be used to reinforce damaged metal components. These natural fibers are stronger and more durable than synthetic fibers, and they also require less energy to produce.
Eco-friendly collision repair shops implement green initiatives such as recycling parts and using environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Recycling parts reduces the amount of materials that need to be purchased, saving money while reducing environmental impact. Eco -friendly cleaning products are also becoming more popular, as they use less water and fewer harsh chemicals.
Overall, green initiatives in autobody repair are quickly becoming the norm, and shops that embrace these approaches can benefit from a competitive advantage. By using eco-friendly materials and green practices, autobody repair shops can reduce their environmental impact while providing superior service to their customers.
Our Commitment to Environmental Responsibility
At the Ohio Autobody family of collision shops, we take our commitment to environmental responsibility seriously. We strive to use eco-friendly practices and serve as a model for other autobody repair shops in the area and the auto repair industry at large.
From the first day we opened our first shop in Newark, Newark Autobody Collision and Glass, we have used water-based paints and responsible methods of solid waste disposal, such as using specialized waste removal to dispose of hazardous materials such as used lacquer thinner. We continued the green practices which are beneficial to human health and the environment when we opened Zanesville Autobody Collision and Glass in Zanesville, Ohio.
Routine paint filter changes are another step we take to ensure that we don’t put iso-cyanates into the environment. Additionally, we pay for regular testing of our paint filters for heavy metals and toxic particulates. We have never tested positive for any of them and are committed to having the lowest environmental footprint possible.
As more advanced methods of staying environmentally friendly become available, we will continue to adapt them into our shops as soon as possible. As of this post, we are the only shop in the Licking County area which exclusively uses water-based paints.
At Ohio Autobody, we strive to be a leader in eco-friendly practices and hope to set an example for other shops in the area.
Further Reading:
- The Digital Transformation of Collision Repair | BodyShopBusiness
- Changing Gears: Porsche’s Transition to CO2-Reduced Steel – AZoCleantech
- Sustainable Practices in Auto Body Repair: Reducing Environmental Impact
Ohio Drivers: We have shops in Newark and Zanesville!
This article was originally published by Autobody of Ohio, the umbrella site for our family run, veteran-owned auto body shops. If you are in Ohio and looking for a quality autobody shop, we are here to help you. We’ll make your car like new again!
Newark Autobody Collision and Glass
977 Mount Vernon Road
Newark, Ohio 43055
Phone: (740) 899-4111
Fax: (740) 888-3500
Zanesville Autobody Collision and Glass
1152 Newark Road
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Phone: (740) 487-3111
Fax: (740) 888-3500