EPA & TECHNICAL TIPS

November - December, 2011: The Tradeshow Issue

AAPEX – About the Event
AAPEX represents the $395 billion global motor vehicle aftermarket. More than 115,000 professionals from around the globe participate in Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in Las Vegas, Nevada. ...
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Providing Cost and Time Savings for the Autobody Industry by Lord/Fusor
In the collision repair market, quality and efficiency are key ingredients for any automotive repair process. For body shops, duplicating OEM seams can be difficult when trying to achieve a factory look. Finding the right balance of time and cost savings can be challenging. ...
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September - October, 2011: Shop & Personal Safety Issue

Blade Safety by IDL Tools
Nearly every shop and workplace in the country has a utility knife and single-edge scraper or box-cutter. Despite the fact that most people are familiar with these tools and comfortable using them, these tools must always be used with care. Remember these are blades, and blades are designed to cut! Whenever a blade is being used there is a risk of injury. Keep these three tips in mind when using either a utility blade or a single-edge blade ...
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Safety First by Kimberly-Clark
The purpose of protective apparel is to protect the wearer from hazards in the work environment. To achieve maximum protection, those involved in the apparel selection process must consider both form and function. Many times, the issue of garment comfort, fit, style and overall “wearability” is not given adequate consideration. This can lead to compliance issues, which may then result in unsafe operating procedures. ...
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Safety Today is More Important than Ever by SATA
Safety is an important part of today's business. Today's finishes have changed to meet the low VOC requirements. New VOC limits have been established that are designed to cut the amount of solvent and emissions into the air. This has meant removing large percentages of solvents used formerly for atomization and for transferring the solids in paint to the surface being painted. Without this solvent, the paint film is more difficult to atomize. To compensate, there are some "compliant" solvents that can ...
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July - August, 2011: Training Issue

LORD FUSOR Training
One of the major challenges facing the industry is how to train technicians to meet the dynamic needs of today’s changing automobiles. The speed at which the materials and assembly techniques is changing is staggering, and it is a real challenge to keep technicians educated on the latest repair procedures for the vehicles of today and tomorrow. This challenge is ...
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Training Tips with the Uni-ram UM120W Gun Washer
When a shop is deciding to convert to waterborne, equipment purchases are a necessary part of the equation. A Uni-ram waterborne gun cleaner keeps your shop running smoothly while reducing your waterborne waste. Using this system offers advantages to the shop by forcefully cleaning the gun, and easily treating the water waste afterwards. The EPA has stated  ...
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Training Tips: Smart Pad & Compound Choice Means Less Buffing – Less Comebacks
Because of today’s evolving paint systems, yesterday’s products used to sand, buff and finish do not work the same on new high solids and scratch resistant clears. Time can be saved by choosing the right pad and compound on these tough new clears. In addition, sanding ...
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May - June, 2011: Waterborne Solutions & New Technology Issue

The History of Water-Borne
Water based or "water-borne" automotive paints have been used in the auto paint industry since the early 90s in certain geographical regions such as Southern California. In an attempt to reduce ground level ozone (also known as SMOG), a side effect of solvent release into the atmosphere, certain air quality management districts in California passed laws in the ...
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Filtration & Waterborne Paints
Over a decade ago, California began passing laws to transition the collision repair industry away from solvent-based paints to waterborne paints to reduce ground level ozone. California’s regulations are being replicated across the U.S. and paint manufacturers, in turn, are expanding their waterborne paint product offering, meaning auto body shops will need ...
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Basic Fact About Water-Borne Paints
They require HVLP (high volume, low pressure) spray guns and stainless steel spray ...
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March - April, 2011: Best Practices Issue

Minimum Recommended Requirements for a "Class A" Collision Center
The Collision Industry Conference Definitions Committee identified the following requirements for a collision repair center to be recognized as a "Class A" collision center in the industry: 1) Have an established business location that is in compliance with local zoning laws and acceptable retail standards. 2) Have all local, state, and federal licenses and ...
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Collision Industry Conference: Changes and Solutions, Resolved.
What is the Collision Industry Conference? In 1984, California shop owner Al Estorga became upset after being told at an inter-industry event that it was not the appropriate time or place to discuss an issue he had raised. As a result, he became determined to create a forum in which it was "always the right time and place" to discuss the issues most important to the collision industry.
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Collision Industry Conference: Trade Practices Committee Recommendations
As a premise, the Committee believes that it is incumbent upon insurers and repairers alike to be familiar with all statutes, laws, regulations and ordinances that govern their locale. It is imperative to ensure that everyone in the process understand and meet all legal requirements as a "BEST TRADE PRACTICE"
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January - February, 2011: The Green Business & Compliance Issue

6H Rule – New EPA Regulations
What Is an Area Source? Any source that is not a major source. (A major source is a facility that emits, or has the potential to emit in the absence of controls, at least 10 tons per year (TPY) of individual hazardous air pollutants (HAP) or 25 TPY of combined HAP.)
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6H – Rule Do YOUR paint arrestors meet the NEW EPA Regulations?
On January 9, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final rule for 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operating at Area Sources, also known as 40 CFR Part 63 (6H). The rule applies to all motor vehicle and mobile equipment surface coating operations that paint with hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), including the collision repair industry.
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Clean Air Tips by SATA
Air filtration and supply is probably the most overlooked aspect in the shop, yet also the most important. With today’s HVLP spray guns using 15 CFM, SATA’s supplied air respirators using 10 CFM, SATA Dryjets use 8.2 at 29 psi CFM, and air tools such as DA’s are now using 15 to 16 CFM, air volume is more critical than ever as well.
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Design for the Environment Program
Why Design for the Environment? Businesses today face a variety of challenges, maintaining high-quality goods and services at low cost, staying competitive in a global marketplace, and meeting consumer preferences for more environmentally friendly products. To help businesses meet these challenges, EPA is building on the design for the environment concept pioneered by industry and encourages businesses to incorporate environmental considerations into the design and redesign of products and processes.
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July - August, 2010: Training Issue

Build your business with the right training
Even with the most state-of-the-art products, if your processes aren’t just right, you can lose valuable time and money that can drain profits from the job. That is why LORD Corporation, maker of Fusor® Automotive Repair Adhesives -- the leading metal and composite bonding solution for automotive body repair – has included in-shop training in their latest product promotions.
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Headlight Restoration
Headlights are made of polycarbonate plastic which yellows over time from long exposure to ordinary sunlight. Besides being ugly and reducing the appearance of the car this can cause unsafe night driving by decreasing headlight intensity by as much as 70%.
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Norton SG Blaze Discs and Norton Medallion Cut-Off Blades – Grinding & Safety Tips
Norton SG Blaze Discs and Norton Medallion Cut-Off Blades are some of the best performing products in the market. Proper use will increase productivity, allowing you to get the job out the door faster.
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Which Sprayer to Use?
At FBS, we offer many unique solutions in spraying & dispensing a wide range of chemical products. In our 20 years of working with sprayer technology, we see many paint refinish and chemical companies manufacture a product without giving much thought in how to dispense it?
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"OSHA" now "EPA"
It used to be that compliance with OSHA regulations was the # 1 worry for body shops (safe work area, respirator programs, etc.). Now a new EPA regulation, Rule 40 CFR Part 63 Subpart HHHHHH, has been added and requires that body shops certify personnel who use spray equipment.
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May - June, 2010: Time = Money Issue

Plastic Bumper Repairs Made Profitable – A Practical Guide to Making Bumper Repairs a Profitable Operation
Vehicle manufacturers are increasing their usage of thermopolyolefin (TPO) and polypropylene (PP) plastics on front and rear fascias as well as body side claddings because the materials are cost-effective. Contrary to popular belief, with the proper adhesive, plastic repairs are actually simple to perform and can represent an important profit and revenue stream for the body shop.
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Small Changes Can Yield Big Time Savings – Protect rather than remove trim
Eliminate the cost of removing and installing moldings, the potential damage to moldings, and the labor to remove paint lines on existing moldings by simply protecting them properly during the painting process. By using the Norton "one-size-fits-all" trim masking tape #06169, you can lift the molding away from the surface to be painted and protect the molding from paint and overspray.
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Time is Money
It’s an old cliché that we all know and understand, but to what extent do you really apply it in your business? American® Brand tape products, manufactured by Intertape Polymer Group, offer the ultimate time saving solutions!
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March - April, 2010: Clean Air Issue

Air Quality – The Importance of Clean, Dry Air
Waterborne basecoats are more sensitive to contamination from oil, water and debris. Air quality is critical to the outcome of your waterborne basecoat finish. The air exiting the spray gun needs to be clean and dry. Every component, from the compressor to the final filtration unit, plays a critical role in delivering high quality air to the gun for atomization.
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The Answer is Clear, Just Like the Air!
Eliminating dust and increasing the surface cutting area is how Norton Multi-Air is able to improve productivity by 35% versus traditional vacuum sanding and by 60% versus non-vacuum sanding.
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Booth Environment – The Importance of Adequate Air Movement and Heat
Waterborne basecoats use water, with minimal solvent, as the carrier for pigment. When sprayed, a layer of water remains. This water evaporates creating humid air just above the refinish surface. Complete curing does not occur until the water and vapor are gone. To aid in dehydration, airflow and proper temperature are essential.
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Intertape Polymer Group (IPG) Supports Healthy Air
Did you know that each day you take over 20,000 breaths and breathe about 25 lbs of air? When you stop and think about air, it may seem like there is an unlimited supply of air for us to breathe. Actually, our breathing space is a thin layer of air around the Earth.
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It’s the Finish that Matters
The Finish is the most important part of the game whether you’re talking about sports or body shop repairs. You spend considerable time and effort to prepare a car for the Finish. You spend big money to install new paint booths to limit the potential for ambient, airborne contamination to affect the Finish.
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Revolutionary New Tool from Motor Guard Reduces Airborne Dust
The Dust Doctor traps dust during sanding. Airborne dust from sanding operations is a major problem in the body shop and much of this dust comes from dry sanding operations. This dust contaminates everything it lands on, can make its way into the spray booth, the detailing area and, even worse, the lungs.
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SATA Filtration
Air filtration and supply is probably the most overlooked aspect in the shop, yet also the most important. With today’s HVLP spray guns using 15 CFM, SATA’s supplied air respirators using 10 CFM, SATA Dryjets use 8.2 at 29 psi CFM, and air tools such as DA’s are now using 15 to 16 CFM, air volume is more critical than ever as well.
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January - February, 2010: Safety Issue - Personal & Shop

Razor Blade Safety
When you are working with blades, be it for home repair, auto bodywork, or major construction projects, personal safety is one of the most important parts of your job. At Personna/ASR, your safety is our highest priority. With this in mind, Personna’s innovative lines of new tools are designed to be the safest in the blade industry.
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