Low-VOC or Waterborne Paint? Here’s the Latest News Part VI

So how does Nanotechnology fit in? BESA and the R&D labs at are focused on how this can be applied to resins and additives. This technology could make paint products more resistant. Specifically as it applies to Euro technology to the US with products like its ultra-high solids acrylic clearcoat for bi-coat systems. The primers and clears BESA offers in Europe and the US are different formulations based on legislation and have been adapted but always maintain the quality standard of their entire product range. Trends in Europe are water-based products which is good news for the US and Canada because this means that BESA is already working towards waterborne products.

As it is now in the US, our ability to adapt solvent-based products to the current laws, as they are now, has served us well. However, if the legislation changes in the near future, as it is projected, more restrictive laws will be enforced and we’ll have to take a closer look at water-based or UV technologies.

Selecting a low-VOC solvent-based product should be carefully weighed. The most obvious concern is product coverage, but another consideration is what works best for your shop. You must be sure to test the paint as not all low-VOC solvent systems are created equal. In choosing which paint manufacturer to go with, the common questions will be how many coats it takes to cover? What is the ease of application versus other solvent systems? Still, there are separate paint options that the manufacturers have made available in states that are not yet regulated that are compliant with the National Rule and low-VOC, but adaption into the low-VOC is just a matter of time so you may as well get comfortable with it.