• From: Bethel Park PA
  • Registered: 2004-06-27
  • Posts: 686

Topic: Paint while you can...

The ASA (Automobile Sevice Association) and the NADA (National Automotive Dealers Association) are pushing the EPA to adopt standards that would limit the purchase and use of automotive refinishing products (i.e., paint).

Under their proposal, purchasers and users of these products would be required to be employed by a certified shop and undergo training in the management of VOC emissions. 

What this means is that the ASA and NADA want regulations that would allow only licensed shops to use paint, and would exclude the back-yard hobbiest from being able to paint his own vehicle.

Their letter is here: http://www.asashop.org/takingthehill/10-05asanada.doc

Maybe we should all stock up on paint for any possible future use.

David H
'66 VW Beetle w/sunroof
http://tinyurl.com/qhw59
"Where am I going ... and why am I in this handbasket?"
  • From: Canada
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 630

Re: Paint while you can...

Geez, talk about a biaised group and self-serving view.  With so many other issues to look at, are backyard painters REALLY creating that much of an emissions problem?  I doubt it...

1979 Type 1 Convertible                                       1976 Scirocco (For Sale!)
1971 Type 1 Semi-Automatic Super                       1968 Type 1 Sedan
1961 Type 1 Sedan
1957 Type 1 Sunroof

Der Bugmeister's Website

  • From: Portage, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 454

Re: Paint while you can...

I think that there are enough "car people" out there that this will never fly. Of course, if it does, I've got a pretty good collection of various paints from various projects that I could sell on the black market. heh. I did my '32 chevy 5 window in laquer, heaven help me if I ever want to try repainting that with "factory" paint...

I highly doubt that saving the ozone and whatnot is behind this...members of the ASA and NADA will profit hand over fist if we're all forced to pay some schmuck to paint our cars. It's all economics and politics these days.

Last edited by JordanK (2006-06-06 19:43:53)

  • From: Bethel Park PA
  • Registered: 2004-06-27
  • Posts: 686

Re: Paint while you can...

I had presented this subject on a different forum (vehicle related but not VW) and one member contacted the EPA directly for their input.  This is the answer that was received:

(The following is an excerpt from a response sent by the Acting
Assistant Administrator of Air and Radiation in response to a letter he
received from a hobbyist expressing the same concern.)

"Under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is required to examine sources of hazardous air pollutants and to
establish emission reduction requirements for those facilities that
collectively emit toxic air pollution that may pose significant health
risk to the public. Auto refinishing shops, of which there are an
estimated 80,000 across the nation, fall into this category. Activities
of automotive restoration hobbyists, however, do not fall into this
category. According to available data, emissions from hobbyist
activities do not comprise a significant portion of emissions from this
category, and EPA does not consider activities of automotive restoration
hobbyists to significantly affect national air quality.

While hobbyist activities will not be subject to regulation that
EPA may propose for auto refinishing shops, our research has revealed
that hobbyists nonetheless already employ pollution control measures to
reduce emissions from their activities. Based on discussions with and
correspondence from hobbyists, EPA has discovered that some of the
pollution control measures and equipment being considered as part of a
future proposed rule for auto refinishing shops are currently being used
by many hobbyists.

As part of our efforts to develop information to support any
action we may take, we are requesting input from all interested parties.
We have received information from a variety of different sources,
including restoration hobbyists, and are interested in continuing our
collaborative efforts."

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Kim R. Teal
Environmental Protection Specialist
U.S. EPA/OAR/OAQPS/SPPD/NRCG
E143-03
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
EMAIL: teal.kim@epa.gov
DIRECT: (919) 541-5580

Perhaps my concern was premature.  However, if paint wholesalers and suppliers are at some point required to certify their sales to lecinsed professionals and auto related businesses, I seriously doubt that they will be inclined to sort out who is and who is not a professional or a home hobbyist.  They'll just ask for the license and refuse sales to anyone not posessing one.

David H
'66 VW Beetle w/sunroof
http://tinyurl.com/qhw59
"Where am I going ... and why am I in this handbasket?"