01/07/2007

In a bid to raise awareness of the issue and encourage 'greener' behaviour, 4x4 owners were the latest group of transport users to have their pockets hit hard. The band of vehicle owners, which comprises of the so-called 'gas guzzlers', rose to £300 immediately with it expected to steadily increase again to as much as £400 by 2008. At the same time the Chancellor enhanced his 'green credentials' by awarding owners of the least pollutant vehicles with a reduction in their Vehicle Excise Duty. The budget marks a positive step forward in educating the public to seek out more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly alternatives but once again it is the Government's 'tax the polluter' approach that has been put firmly in the spotlight by the media. Journalists have focussed their efforts on exposing the green practises of politicians when the bigger picture is simple - climate change is not merely a debate but a fact that stares us directly in the face. Everyone has a responsibility to cut emission use and the automotive bodyshop industry can make a significant contribution and lead by example. As we all know one of the biggest causes of emissions comes from car bodyshops and the amount of paint used to repair vehicles. When using conventional spray guns, a considerable amount of paint can be wasted with transfer rates ranging between 20 and 50 per cent. Updating to high-volume/low-pressure (HVLP) spray guns could achieve transfer efficiencies in excess of 90 per cent and eliminate overspray. By compressing air to atomise the paint under low pressure these systems provide a higher airflow rate than conventional types. These are the most efficient means of spraying and will pay for themselves in a short period of time. Likewise replacing your current systems with the latest sprayless paint repair innovations will save you considerably more on bills straight away as well as significantly cutting emissions and hazardous waste, which is something we all have a job to do. Working on the principle of reducing the amount of paint used, these systems will assist in cutting product costs, maintenance costs to booths, labour time as well as pollution, while maintaining a high quality finish and standard. Repairs to scuffs and scrapes could also be applied in a matter of minutes allowing a quick turnaround to your work. Since the 1990s, bodyshops have been under increasing pressure to reduce emissions but it is only recently awareness has been raised by the implementation of the 2007 Directive, by which all bodyshops are striving to adhere to. The move marked by the EU Directive denotes a positive step in instructing automotive bodyshops on the importance of pollution emitted in the industry but this must be supported by a cohesive campaign of communication to ensure the new technology is embraced and not left on the shelves. The success of the new products on the market should provide users - including de-fleet companies, dealers and valeters with the confidence to encourage technicians to use the products and challenge misconceptions. Often many people are put off from turning to 'greener' products as they feel the result will be inferior to tried and tested methods. Equally there is growing concern that products containing lower VOC materials are more expensive and take longer to dry, while only offering a temporary solution. However, this is not the case and again good communication from manufacturers and distributors about the ranges available should be used to communicate that sprayless alternatives require no drying time unlike pervious counterparts. However, more efficient paint systems can only be effective and worthwhile if the right people use them properly. Technicians must be trained to understand that the new paint alternatives will also improve their productivity, as many people need to be appealed to on other levels in addition to the comfort that would come from contributing to saving the environment! Training in application techniques to improve transfer efficiency will not only save paint which will decrease the amount of paint purchased - but reduce application time and decrease employees? exposure to air pollutants which could cause health related injuries. Most companies have already taken significant steps to consider alternative methods to comply with environmental regulations and they are reaping the cost saving benefits that are achieved. However, there remains some out there who continue to trade against the current guidelines. Pollution is at the heart of our lives but for the bodyshop industry to make a difference we must ensure that we communicate with each other and welcome innovation. We can make a difference.