Local autobody shops have plenty of room to give themselves an eco-friendly sheen. Their secret quick fix: water-based paints.

That’s the green transformation just adopted by Schoonover Bodyworks. The Twin Cities, MN, body repair shop has teamed up with paint supplier AkzoNobel to make the switch from solvent-based paints to eco-friendly water-based paints and coatings.

Its reward? A 15% reduction in electricity and a 4% cut in natural gas usage. Schoonover saves money by switching to water-based paints thanks to:

• reduced energy costs to apply and dry water-based paints, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions released by power suppliers
• fewer paint emissions that cause air pollution (volatile organic compounds), and
• more efficient application rates, so there’s less paint wasted and less hazardous waste for Schoonover to dispose of.

Some body shops have been slow to switch to water-based paints because they –  and their customers — were very happy with the durability and shine provided by the old reliable solvent paints.

But California upset this status quo by mandating that its autobody shops switch to water-based paints by the end of this year.

That seems to have prompted paint suppliers to make final changes needed to perfect their water-based paints and painting equipment.

Company president Mike Schoonover says the time was right for his company’s switch. The technology’s in place, and his customers like the idea of a “green” autobody shop.

The announcement from Schoonover Bodyworks is here.

Tags: AkzoNobel, energy usage, Schoonover Bodyworks, volatile organic compounds, water-based paints