Don Malo, owner and Brad Truesdell, General Manager inspect a new paint job on an accident repair in the company's newly upgraded paint booth. Now using a water based paint system, Malo's is the first in the area to install such a system.
Malo's Auto Body in White Center has installed a new earth friendly, water based automotive painting system that is not only more environmentally friendly, it produces better results.
General Manager Brad Truesdell said, "It eliminates solvents that we would use to adhere paint. Traditionally you would have solvents and hardeners in the base coat, whereas now we've eliminated roughly over half the solvents in the system now."
70% of all car manufacturers in fact now use water based painting systems to some degree.
"We are now using what would be considered O.E.M. paint," said Truesdell, "It matches the style and quality of the paint as it was when it was originally manufactured. You get the closest to match finish you can possibly get."
Made by BASF you can learn more about the product Malo uses at http://www.basfrefinish.com.
The process is also faster and produces better results. "The metallics lay down smoother. You don't have a chemical reaction between clear coat and base coat," said Truesdell.
The company is also green in other ways. Since they handle automotive accident repairs they often recycle bumpers, (now commonly made of hard plastics) to either be repaired or ground to a powder for return to the manufacturer for re-use. They also routinely recycle, oil, anti-freeze, left over paint, radiator fluids and dispose of other chemicals in responsible ways.
Owner Don Malo said he has spent more than $20,000 to install the system. It includes new compressors, new ducted fans (aimed with lasers for exact targeting), and new base coat paints. "Healthwise it benefits the employees, benefits the environment. It's just a win win for everybody."
