Jun 12 2008
Major automotive manufacturers are turning to PPG Industries, a leading innovator in waterborne paint technology, to learn more about these new coatings in anticipation of new environmental regulations in California and Canada intended to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The regulations will soon require that waterborne basecoats replace solventborne basecoats for vehicle refinishing, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are interested in this development and how it will affect their operations.
PPG hosted a waterborne coatings training seminar specifically for OEM representatives at its Wixom, Mich., business development center. The one-day event focused on Envirobase High Performance waterborne basecoat by PPG – its anti-settle technology, ease of application and precise color match – as well as the ease of transitioning to using technologically advanced waterborne products.
Domestic automotive OEM representatives who attended included Brian Dotterer of General Motors; Ron Nomura, Dan Black and Doug R. Craig of Chrysler; and Gerry Bonnani and Mike Leach of Ford.
“I’m impressed with the ease of application of Envirobase,” Nomura said. “Waterborne products are where the industry is heading.”
Bonnani said, “Envirobase is a great product, and bodyshops will do well to utilize the benefits of waterborne basecoats for excellent color match and blending properties."
Ken Davis, manager, PPG OEM business development, said, “Waterborne is the industry’s future. It’s a major industry change, and OEMs want to know all about it. PPG has been leading the way on water conversions, and we wanted to demonstrate to the OEMs how good waterborne coatings are, how easy it is to switch over using our ‘Convert with Confidence’ process, and how PPG provides technological support.”
PPG will be scheduling more training classes to help keep OEMs on top of the shifting automotive refinishing landscape, Davis said. For more information about Envirobase High Performance and other waterborne coatings by PPG, or training classes, please call 800-647-6050 or visit the PPG Automotive Refinish Web site at www.ppgrefinish.com.