Articles

 

Industry Encouraging Collision Centers to Paint Every Car “Green”

Collision industry embracing more proactive environmental practices

 

April 10, 2008, Mechanicsville, VA – Every car that ends up at a collision center for repairs after a crash could be painted “green” as more collision centers switch to waterborne paints.  Formulated to significantly reduce solvent emissions known as volatile organic compounds (VOC), waterborne paint may soon become an industry standard.  As of July 1, 2008, some areas of California will begin to effectively mandate the use of waterborne basecoats as part of their regulations to reduce VOC emission. .

 

Using waterborne paints is just one of the ways the collision industry is embracing more proactive environmental practices.  Repair facilities are making modifications in their paint area and retraining technicians to use waterborne paint just as they have done with solvent based products.  Training courses for automotive technicians emphasize ways to minimize pollution, handle hazardous waste correctly and comply with federal and state environmental regulations.  

 

In waterborne basecoats, the coating material is suspended in the water carrier instead of being dissolved in solvents.  Most agree that the basecoat color match, metallic control and ability to blend not only meet, but often exceed solvent-borne basecoats.

 

Although waterborne paint is a relatively new product in the American market, the majority of shops in Europe have been using it for some time.  In the late 1990s, waterborne paint was introduced in California. Today, these finishes are being used at more than 75 percent of OEM plants in the United States.  Leading waterborne refinish paint manufacturers include Akzo Nobel Coatings, BASF, DuPont, PPG, and Sherwin Williams.

 

Recently, an article in CollisionWeek, a trade publication that provides news, statistics and trend analysis, stated that industry concerns about the difficulty of changing from solventborne to waterborne finishes have turned out to be largely unfounded.  As one shop owner stated, “The price is a little higher, but we’re using less paint because of improved coverage.  Also, the color is better – richer and cleaner.”

 

Green industry practices for the collision industry continue to gain attention, both within the industry and from external audiences.  One such external group is the Green Seal Environmental Standards program (www.greenseal.org), which has developed a list of guidelines for green seal certification focused on vehicle maintenance and repairs.  The list includes vehicle painting, as well as cleaning products and practices, all of which also pertain to collision centers. 

 

 

According to the National Auto Body Council (NABC), a non-profit industry association representing all segments of the collision industry, today’s vehicles are now manufactured with new composite materials and computer systems that require complicated high tech equipment and highly trained professionals to safely and properly repair these complex vehicles.   Collision repair facility operators must stay up to date with advances in materials, technology, electronics and training, as well as the environmental implications of products being used.  Since consumers have a choice when selecting a collision center, it is important to make an informed decision focusing on a quality repair rather than just the price of the repair; there may well be a real difference.

 

“One of the things that is least understood by motorists is that when a damaged car is brought in for repairs, the repair contract generally is only between the vehicle owner and the repair shop, not the auto insurance company,” said Chuck Sulkala, Executive Director of NABC. “It’s usually the owner’s responsibility to choose a trustworthy, quality shop that will repair his or her car safely and protect its resale value.”

 

As today’s collision centers continue to upgrade, professionalism is evident in everything from the facilities to qualifications of automotive technicians.  In addition to being strategically laid out, brightly illuminated and well-equipped, collision centers today expect even the most experienced workers to keep up to speed with new techniques and materials.  There also is an increased emphasis on hiring automotive technicians who have graduated from an accredited technical school, are comfortable working with computers, and are committed to

taking advanced training and certifications courses.

 

As always, the NABC recommends asking friends and relatives for recommendations on shops that have performed quality work for them in the past and checking the shop’s qualifications by asking about advanced technician training from a national organization such as the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) or the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Paint system manufacturers also typically provide training and certification on their products to the repair industry. Quality repair facilities provide a warranty on the work done at their facility.  In addition, most quality shops participate in various industry trade associations such as the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS)  and the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP) to stay up to date on the most current business and technical information.

 

The collision industry is keenly aware of how advances in technology, training and environmental standards impact repairs in terms of quality, safety and environmental practices. Today’s collision repair businesses are also an integral part of our community’s social and economic well being.   For consumers, choosing a quality collision center is more important than ever.

 

About the National Auto Body Council:

The National Auto Body Council (NABC), a non-profit organization representing all segments of the collision repair industry, is dedicated to enhancing the image of the collision industry. NABC’s ongoing and continued success is a direct result of the efforts and support of its sponsoring companies and membership. More information is available by calling 1-888-667-7433 (888-66PRIDE) or at www.autobodycouncil.org.

 

 

NOTE TO EDITORS: The National Auto Body Council can assist you to secure interviews with local repair facility operators on environmental and other issues of importance to readers.

COLLISION INDUSTRY TO HELP BUILD CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER - NABC TO RALLY SUPPORT FOR CAMP MAK A DREAM

St. Charles, IL, April 6, 2001- On behalf of the Collision Industry, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) has formed an association with Camp Mak A Dream, a Montana-based summer camp for children and young adults who have been stricken with cancer. Together, the NABC and Camp Mak A Dream will raise $1.3 million to help build a much-needed medical center on the grounds of the camp, plus the NABC will lead an effort to promote camping opportunities to young people with cancer who would benefit from the experience.

Marco Grossi, President of the NABC and owner of Collision Craftsmen in Michigan, recently introduced Camp Mak A Dream to the NABC Board of Directors. According to Grossi, "These campers go free of cost to them for a week every summer thanks to their sponsors. Sure there are other summer cancer camps but, this is the only one of its kind that accepts campers who are actively fighting this terrible disease. At the other camps the campers must be in remission."

Being the only camp of its type that accepts campers who are actively fighting cancer, from time to time emergency chemotherapy, isolation or other medical attention is needed. The desire to accommodate all of these deserving individuals has generated the need of improving the camp's current medical facilities.

With this in mind, the NABC Board of Directors voted unanimously, on behalf of the collision industry, to raise the additional dollars that are needed to build this new facility, an 11,000 square foot medical center. Once completed, the new facility will be named in honor of the collision repair industry.

"Upon its completion, every child, every parent and every volunteer attending the camp, as long as that building stands, will know the collision repair industry cared enough to get involved. I cannot wait to see our industry name on the side of that medical center," said Grossi.

The camp also offers special winter camps for young adults and hosts winter retreats for women with breast cancer as well.

A past Camp Mak A Dream camper stated that" this is the only place in the world where I am normal and the rest of the world is sick".

Through the NABC, anyone in the collision repair industry can now sponsor a child, who has this disease, to go to camp. In the next few months, the NABC will make brochures available for shop lobbies, employee lunchrooms and other areas of public display.

The fund raising efforts were kicked off at the Collision Concepts show in Minneapolis. Marco Grossi and Camp Mak A Dream volunteer President Brian Granader introduced the camp to the industry. Immediately donations came streaming in, over $6,000 was raised that first night alone.

Mark Claypool, Executive Director of the NABC, will be coordinating the overall effort. According to Claypool, "We will be relying heavily on volunteer efforts to make this dream become a reality. We will look to all segments of this industry to help us raise at least $500,000, which will be matched by a challenge grant Camp Mak A Dream has already received."

"We are not just seeking donations, we are asking all members of our industry to get involved by hosting fund raising events, informing their customers of this great opportunity for young people with cancer and much more. In the near future we will be distributing all of the necessary materials needed to get involved," Claypool said.

Pledge forms are available on the NABC website at www.autobodycouncil.org.

Click here to open the Camp Mak-A-Dream Website

Founded in 1991, Camp Mak A Dream is located in Gold Creek, Montana on 87 acres of land, with direct access to Deer Lodge National Forest, a 1.1 million acre park. The camp facility includes 4 cabins, an 11,000 square foot main lodge, an art studio, a currently inadequate health center, maintenance building, fully-accessible pool, hot tub, archery range and ropes course. Activities include a camp-out, swimming, horseback riding, sapphire mining, arts and crafts, archery, ropes course and climbing wall, small group discussions, cabin chat, guest speakers, workshops and more, all in the land of the "Big Sky".

The National Auto Body Council is a not-for-profit association whose sole purpose is to improve the image of the collision repair industry in the eyes of the general public and to recognize the pride and professionalism of its members. Members and sponsors are all employed in some aspect of the collision repair industry.

 

The NABC House that PRIDE Built Project Promotes a Positive Industry Image

The National Auto Body Council (NABC) House that PRIDE Built project was an unparalleled success. With the support of over 200 volunteer from all segments of the collision repair industry, the NABC and the Kansas City Habitat for Humanity finished the project during the week of April 1-7, 2000.

Besides building a home for a deserving family and helping revitalize a Kansas City community, the project also help promote the positive side of the collision repair industry.

On the evening of Friday, April 7 as the NABC was celebrating their successful effort to build the house, the ABC News show 20/20 ran a feature on Body Shop scams by reporter Arnold Diaz detailing how some law-breaking body shops rip-off insurance companies and customers.

The local ABC affiliate countered this negative impression of collision repairers during the lead in their 10 o’clock news program, immediately following the 20/20 presentation, with an interview with Chuck Sulkala, NABC founder and NABC PRIDE House project co-chair, and coverage of the NABC House that PRIDE Built project.