Co-Auto's refinish manager Don Teevens reflects on the switch to waterborne paint now that the June 18 deadline is behind us.

Woodbridge, Ontario--July 16, 2010--It’s finally done and not a minute too soon! The date came and went without so much as a spilled can of paint. This, in spite of all the excitement, uncertainties and concerns: it’s too expensive, it will slow down our production and I even heard one manager say a month before our stop-buy deadline that the conversion date will be changed. He wanted to wait and see if it really happened!

Well, it happened! It came and went much like Y2K without concern or issue and no further date extensions. In the beginning it was a little rough, but after the first 20 conversions it was like riding a bike. The more we did the easier it got; the painters, sales reps and technicians had it down to an art.

From start to finish, in and out in three days with a follow-up a few days later, it was like nothing had changed. But something did change, and for the better!

I can’t recall one situation where the shop manager and painter didn’t look back and say "I’m glad we switched. I really prefer working with a water-based paint. I feel like it’s healthier, the colour match is great and clean-up is easier."

Shops were able to begin spraying with a minimal investment, minimal on-site training and dry times were not impacted significantly.

There were some equipment upgrades and changes involved. Spray guns and drying equipment were added to some shops and new air filters to ensure a clean and dry supply of air to the paint gun.

Waterborne conversion was a big and expensive undertaking for all shops and suppliers, but one that I believe will be good for our employees. At the same, this goes a long way to improving our industry’s image.

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